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Ancient Rome Chapter 5: Republic to Empire Early Rome The early development of Rome was most influenced by the Etruscans, who launched a building program that turned Rome into a city. The location of the city of Rome was especially favorable to early settlers. Rome had a way to the sea. However, it was far enough inland to be safe from pirates. Because it was built on seven hills, it was easily defended. In addition, it was situated where the Tiber could easily be crossed. Therefore, it became a natural crossing point for north-south traffic in western Italy. A republic formed out of early Rome. A republic is a form of government in which the leader is not a monarch and certain citizens have the right to vote. The Patricians were great landowners who became Rome’s ruling class. The plebeians were the less wealthy made up of small farmers, craftsmen, etc. Both classes could vote, but only the patricians could be elected into government positions. The Roman Senate, which came to hold an important position in the Roman Republic, was a select group of about three hundred patricians who served for life. During this time several important codes of Law emerged such as the Twelve Tables and the Law of Nations. The main influences that the Roman Law of Nations had on generations of world and American criminal law are as follows: A person must be regarded as innocent until proven otherwise. Persons who are accused of a crime must be allowed to defend themselves before a judge. A judge must weigh evidence carefully before making a decision. From Republic to Empire Due to wars, individual Senators & military people gained much power. Eventually a triumvirate, (government by three people with equal power) was formed to check the growing power. The First Triumvirate was made up of Crassus, Pompey, and Julius Caesar. Eventually, Julius Caesar marched on Rome after his military conquests in Gaul (France). He crushed Pompey’s forces and declared a dictatorship – absolute ruler – of Rome. A group from the Senate (including Caesar’s friend Brutus) legally assassinated Julius Caesar, the first dictator of Rome. Soon after a second triumvirate formed that included Octavian, Antony, and Lepidus. After another civil war between Octavian and Antony, Octavian assumed control over all the Roman Empire. The Senate accepted him as imperator (Emperor) and named him Augustus. Although the Augustan Age has been called the golden age of Latin literature, it was not a golden age of Emperors. Eventually, at the beginning of the second century, better emperors ruled and the Pax Romana or “Roman Peace” was achieved and a period of peace and prosperity lasted almost a hundred years within Rome. Culture and Society in the Roman World Culture and Society in the Roman World Virgil was the author of the Aeneid, a poem about Aeneas, who shows duty, piety, and faithfulness – all virtues of good Romans. Spartacus was the famous gladiator who led a massive slave revolt. He was a leader among many who advocated the violent overthrow of Roman rule, also known as Zealots. Unfortunately, they did not escape, but fought to their deaths. Kirk Douglas (1960) , Goran Visnjic (2004) & Andy Whitfield (2010) Insulae were very poorly built apartments in the overcrowded Rome. They were used by the poor and often collapsed. But, the emperors kept the poverty-stricken masses pacified by giving them free grain and providing entertainment such as Gladiator battles on a grand scale. I chanced to stop in at a midday show, expecting fun, weight, and some relaxation, when men's eyes take respite from the slaughter of their fellow men. The preceding combats were merciful by comparison; now all trifling is put aside and it is pure murder. The men have no protective covering. Their entire bodies are exposed to the blows, and no blow is ever struck in vain. . . . In the morning men are thrown to the lions and the bears, at noon they are thrown to their spectators. The spectators call for the slayer to be thrown to those who in turn will slay him, and they detain the victor for another butchering. The outcome for the combatants is death; the fight is waged with sword and fire. This goes on while the arena is free. "But one of them was a highway robber, he killed a man!" Because he killed he deserved to suffer this punishment, granted. . . . "Kill him! Lash him! Burn him! Why does he meet the sword so timidly? Why doesn't he kill boldly? Why doesn't he die game? Whip him to meet his wounds! Let them trade blow for blow, chests bare and within reach!" And when the show stops for intermission, "Let's have men killed meanwhile! Let's not have nothing going on!" ~ Seneca (40AD) When the poet Juvenal said, “There’s only two things that concern them: Bread and Circuses,” he was talking about the Roman masses being distracted from serious political issues by free grain and entertainment. The Circus Maximus housed horse and chariot races, and gladiator shows that attracted thousands. At its height, the Roman Empire had a population of about fifty million. Development of Christianity Christianity was able to draw believers away from the Roman gods for three main reasons. First, the Christian message was personal and offered salvation and eternal life to individuals. The Roman state-based religion was impersonal and existed for the good of Rome. Second, Christianity seemed familiar. It was viewed by some as similar to other religions, offering immortality as the result of the sacrificial death of a savior-god. Finally, Christianity fulfilled the human need to belong. Christians formed communities bound to one another. In these communities, people could express their love by helping one another and offering assistance to the poor and the sick. Christianity satisfied the need to belong in a way that the huge Roman Empire could never provide. Chi Rho, the first two letters of Jesus Christ in Greek The Edict of Milan proclaimed official tolerance of Christianity. And, on his death bed Constantine became the first Christian emperor. Later, under Theodosius the Great, Rome adopted Christianity as its official religion. Decline and Fall The paterfamilias, or dominant male, was the head of the Roman family and gradually lost power over the course of Roman history. Believing the Roman Empire had grown too large for a single ruler, Diocletian divided it into four units, each with its own ruler. The political and military reforms of Diocletian and Constantine greatly enhanced the army and civil service institutions, but drained most of the public funds. In the long run, the economic and social policies of Diocletian and Constantine stifled the vitality the Late Empire needed to revive its sagging fortunes. Because the pressure put on the Visigoths by the Asian Huns, the Visigoths were the first invaders to sack Rome. Eventually, the Vandals, Ostrogoths, Franks, Anglo-Saxons, and Huns invaded parts of the former Roman Empire leaving anarchy and destruction. Unlike the collapse of the West, the Eastern Roman Empire (or Byzantium) changed names several times but continued to thrive for the next 1000 years.