Download Chapter 11

Chapter 11
Mediterranean Society: The Roman
Phase
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Establishment of Rome
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Legend of Romulus and Remus
Rome Founded 753 BCE
Indo-European migrants c. 2000 BCE
Bronze c. 1800 BCE, Iron c. 900 BCE
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The Etruscans
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Originally from Anatolia
Colonized Roman regions
Society declines late 6th c. BCE
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Greek maritime attacks
Celtic invasions from north
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The Kingdom of Rome
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Monarchy through 7th-6th c. BCE
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Streets, temples, public buildings
Major center of trade routes
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Establishment of the Republic
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509 BCE Romans overthrow last Etruscan
king
Roman forum built
Republican constitution
Executive: 2 consuls
senate
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Social Conflict
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Patricians (aristocrats)
Plebeians (commoners)
Major class conflict 5th c. BCE
Plebeians allowed to elect tribunes for
representation
Rights expanded through 3rd c. BCE
Yet 6-month appointments of dictators
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Expansion of the Republic
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Dominated Etruscans
Took over iron industry 5th-4th c. BCE
Expansion via military threat and incentives
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Tax exemptions
Trade privileges
Citizenship
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The Punic Wars
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Conflict with Carthage, 264-164 BCE
Three major wars
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First over Sicilian grain supply
Later for supremacy in Mediterranean
Later conflict with declining Hellenistic Empires
Rome dominates Mediterranean by middle of 2nd C.
BCE
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Imperial Expansion and Domestic
Problems
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Land distribution
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Perennial problem
Development of large latifundia
Unfair competition for smaller landholders
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The Roman Empire to 146 BCE
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The Gracchi Brothers
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Tiberius and Gaius
Attempted to limit land holdings of aristocrats
Assassinated
Development of private armies made up of landless
peasants
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Gaius Marius (with reformers)
Lucius Cornelius Sulla (with aristocrats)
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Civil War
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87 BCE Gaius Marius takes Rome
Lucius Cornelius Sulla secedes Marius in 83
BCE
Reign of terror follows
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Julius Caesar
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Nephew of Marius
Escapes Sulla’s terror
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Rises to popularity
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Relatively young, well-timed trip abroad
Public spectacles, victories in Gaul
Attacks Rome 49 BCE
Names self Dictator for life in 46 BCE
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Caesar’s Policies
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Centralized military, governance under personal control
Redistribution of land to war veterans, other allies
Major building projects reduce urban unemployment
Extended citizenship to provinces
Aristocrats threatened, assassinate Caesar in 44 BCE
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Augustus
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Civil conflict follows death of Caesar
Nephew Octavian fights Mark Antony &
Cleopatra
Takes title Augustus 27 BCE
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Augustus’ Administration
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Monarchy disguised as a republic
Increasing centralization of political, military
power
Stabilized empire
Death in 14 CE
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Expansion and Integration of Empire
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Roman occupation of increasingly remote areas
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Gaul, Germany, Britain, Spain
Encouragement of crop production, control of
natural resources
Developed infrastructure, cities emerge
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The Roman Empire, c. 117 CE
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Pax Romana: “Roman Peace”
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27-250 CE
Facilitated trade, communication
Roadwork
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Curbs, drainage, milestones
Postal service
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Roman Law
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Twelve Tables, c. 450 BCE
Adapted to diverse populations under Roman
Rule
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Innocent until proven guilty
Right to challenge accusers in court
Right of judges to set aside laws that are unfair or
inequitable
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Commercial Agriculture and Trade
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Latifundia: production for export
Regional specialization increases
Integration of Empire-wide economy
Mediterranean Sea: Mare Nostrum, “our sea”
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The City of Rome
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Cash flow
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Massive construction projects
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Taxes, tribute, spoils, commerce
Statuary, monumental architecture, aqueducts
Technology: concrete
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Roman Attractions
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Imported goods
Underground sewage
Circus Maximus
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250,000 spectators
Colosseum
Gladiatorial Games
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Family and Society
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Pater Familias: “father of the family”
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Right to arrange marriages, sell children into
slavery
Women not allowed to inherit property
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Enforcement inconsistent
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Wealth and Social Change
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Newly rich challenge aristocracy
Yet poor class increasing in size
Distraction: “Bread and Circuses”
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Slavery
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2nd c. CE: estimated at 1/3 of Empire population
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Customary manumission at age 30
Agricultural work, quarries, mines
Chain labor
Revolt under Spartacus, 73 BCE
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Roman Deities
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Polytheistic
Major gods
Tutelary deities
Absorption of gods from other cultures
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Cicero and Stoicism
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Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-46 BCE)
Major orator, writer
Influenced by Greek thought
Proponent of Stoicism
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Mithraism
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Cult dedicated to Mithras
From Zoroastrian myth: god of Sun, light
Roman version emphasizes strength, courage,
discipline
Women not admitted into cult
Appealed to military
Cult of Isis also popular
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Judaism in Early Rome
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Jewish monotheism at odds with most ancient
cultures
Refusal to recognize emperors as gods
Repeated Jewish rebellions
Romans finally crush Jewish rebellion in Jewish
Wars (66-70 CE)
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Synagogue at Capernaum
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The Essenes
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Messianic Jewish Cult
Baptism
Ascetic lifestyle
Dead Sea Scrolls
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Jesus of Nazareth
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Jewish teacher
Moral code, reputation for miracle-working
Romans fear instigation of rebellion, crucify
Jesus
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Jesus’ Early Followers
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Belief in Jesus’ resurrection, divine nature
Title Christ: “Anointed One”
Teachings recorded in New Testament
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Paul of Tarsus
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Extends teachings far beyond Jewish circles
Intensive travel, missionary activity
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Early Christian Communities
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Local leaders: Bishops
Regional variation in doctrine and ritual
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Nature of resurrection
Role of women
Gradual acceptance of core texts
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Growth of Early Christianity
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Roman persecution
Yet dramatic expansion of Christianity
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Especially with dispossessed, disenfranchised
classes
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Urban poor
women
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