Download The World of the Romans 600 BCE to 500 CE

Focus Question
• Who is Romulus and Remus…
Ancient Rome & Early Christianity
600 BC to 500 AD
I. Legendary beginnings…
• Romulus & Remus, twins raised
by a “she-wolf,” are legendary
founders of Rome
Cast bronze statue of suckling twins: sons of Mars
Capitoline Museum, Rome
II. Geography
• Apennine Mts did not divide Italy
into many small isolated
communities (as in Greece)
• Being located near the ocean and
on the Tiber River gave easy
access to the Mediterranean Sea.
• More arable land, mild climate
– larger population
II. Geography
• Italy is located in the midpoint of the
Mediterranean Sea. The Romans
could send out ships for trade and war
in all directions.
• In addition, Rome’s central location
between North and South allowed for
Rome to govern its Empire easily
once it began to expand.
map
Rome was built…
• Along the Tiber River
• On 7 hills w/ fertile soil
• 18 miles inland from the Med.
Sea
• Near center of Italian
peninsula
• “Not without reason did gods and men
choose this sport for the site of our city—
the salubrious hills, the river to bring us
produce from the inland regions and seaborne commerce from abroad, the sea itself,
near enough for convenience yet not so near
as to bring danger from foreign fleets, out
situation in the very heart of Italy—all these
advantages make it of all places in the
world the best for a city destined to grow
great.”
--Livy
III. Foreign Influences on
Rome’s beginnings…
III. Latins
• Farmer and shepherds who
wandered into Italy
• They built the first settlement in
Rome
• Eventually bring all of Italy into
close contact with the Greeks
III. Greek Influences
• 750 – 500 BC, Greeks
colonized southern Italy
–Olives
–Grapes
–Religion (myths & legends)
• Same personalities; different
names
–Commercial centers
Hera’s temple at Paestum in southern Italy
III. Etruscan Influences
• Alphabet, architecture
(especially the use of
the arch), metal
working, pottery
• Early kings of Rome
were Etruscan
Etruscan pottery
4th century BC
IV. Rome becomes a republic
• Republic established 509 BC
–when last Etruscan king was
overthrown in 509 BC
• Tarquin the proud
• Romans voweled to never be ruled
by a king again
–Republic is born
Patriarchal society
• Fathers had power of life and
death over their families
– Illustrated w/ paintings by Jacques
Louis David
#1 Lictors returning the bodies of the
Sons of Brutus,1789
FYI - Power of the Pater
• Brutus, Lucius Junius, nephew of the last Roman
King Tarquin the Proud, participated in
revolt against his tyranny
• Helped establish the republic and was one
of the first two Roman consuls
• Brutus’ two sons started a conspiracy to
restore the monarchy. The plot was foiled
and they were convicted and sentenced to
death by their father.
Early Republican Virtues
• Conservative
• Reverence for tradition
• Reverence for home, ancestors,
gods
Vestal
Virgin
Tended the
sacred flame
of Vesta,
goddess of
the hearth
#2 - Oath of the Horatii
• Artist: Jacques David The Oath of
Horatii. 1784. Oil on canvas. 330 x
425 cm. Louvre, Paris, France
• See speaker note*
Oath of Horatii, JL David
Oath of
Horatii
• detail
Governmental organization see page 143
• Executive – 2 consuls
– Elected by assembly,
1 year terms
• Legislative
– Senate
– Centurian Assembly
– Tribal Assembly
Roman Senate
• 300 men
• Controlled public funds &
foreign policy & some political
appointments
• Very powerful until the
emperor period
Government organization cont…
• Judicial branch
–Praetors acted as judges
• Legal code
–12 Tables
• Citizenship
–Adult male landowners
Forum Romanum w/ view of curia
senate
Roman Curia
[Senate]
Arch of Septimius Severus: overview from the South
Arch of Titus
V.
Punic Wars 264 – 133 BC
• Carthage, center of Phoenician
(Punic) trading empire
–Commercial threat to Rome
–Control of Sicily main issue
• Three major wars, Rome won
all
Punic Wars – part 1
• Following a naval battle…
• Carthage gave Sicily to Rome
& paid huge fine
• Carthage annexed Spain…
Roman soldier
Punic Wars – part 2
• Hannibal took an army w/ war
elephants to Italy … for 17 yrs
• Rome won by
attacking Carthage
• Gained Spain as a
spoil of war
Hannibal Barca,
General of Carthage
• Defeated at
Battle of Zama
• Suicide in 183
in Turkey
Scipio Africanus
• Hero of
Punic Wars
• Defeated
Hannibal at the
Battle of Zama
Punic Wars – part 3
• Carthage destroyed in 146 BC
–Became province of Africa
–Population sold into slavery
–City plowed under w/salt
Carthage was located near Tunis
Funeral marker
of goddess Tanit
(Carthage)
• Religion required
the sacrifice of
eldest child
Grave markers of sacrificed children near
Carthage
Carthage: ruins of the acropolis
Baths
VI. By 133 BC Rome was master of
Mediterranean
• Macedonia & the Greek states
were annexed
• Kingdom of Pergamum
was deeded to Rome
Reasons for Rome’s success
• Powerful armies were loyal to
Rome, not a dictator (nationalism)
• Wise treatment of conquered
peoples
• Ability to move troops quickly
… the results of Rome’s success
• #1 Slavery increased
–Plantation system developed
–Farmers could not compete
–No industry developed
… the results of Rome’s success
• #2 Farmers moved to cities
–Became urban poor
–Filled ranks of unemployed
–Threat to government
VII. Emergence of the Empire
(133 BC – 180 AD)
Problems leading to the
collapse of the Roman Republic
#1 Poor farmers lost their lands…
*Gracchus brothers’ attempted land reform
(p.146)
#2 Senate became all powerful
#3 Generals involved in politics…
* led to civil wars (p. 147)
Civil War in Rome Sets New Precedents.
1. Soldiers swore personal
loyalty to generals in return
for lands…
2. Armies fought over
Rome, gave power
to the commanders
The First Triumvirate
• Crassus, Pompey & Julius Caesar
gained military command of the
empire in 60 BC, dominating
Rome for ten years …
Factors leading to Second Civil War
• Crassus killed in battle in Syria
• Senate feared Caesar’s power
–Appointed Pompey leader
–Ordered Caesar to give up his
legions…
Pompey
the Great
• Caesar’s
main rival
in the civil
wars
Caesar crosses the Rubicon (49 BC)!
• Refused order to disband army
–Crossed Rubicon R.
• Marched on Rome
–Civil war erupted
–Pompey defeated, killed
Julius Caesar
• Appointed
Dictator of
Rome in
46 BC
• Copy of
portrait bust
Julius Caesar wins the civil war
• 44 BC – named dictator for life
• Reforms:
–Created jobs
–Started colonies
–Expanded senate
–Granted citizenship to provincials
Julius Caesar
Killed by Senators
March 15, 44BC
Vatican Museum
Caesar’s Tomb
Julius Caesar’s
death mask
• Powerful senators
feared his popularity
& sensed their own
loss of influence
Cleopatra VII (Liz Taylor) & Caesar (Rex Harrison)
Will the real Cleopatra please stand up?
• Plutarch writes that
Cleopatra was not
beautiful in the
classical sense…
• Possessed great
charm, intelligence
and was highly
educated
Cleopatra VII
• Made sole ruler by Caesar
–Bore his son, Ptolemy Caesarion
–Egypt a “client state” of Rome
• After her reign, Egypt lost
independence for 2,000 years
Cleopatra & the Peasant by Eugene de la Croix, 1838
Struggle for power follows Caesar’s death:
Second Triumvirate
• Marc Antony – Caesar’s ally
• Octavian – Caesar’s nephew
• Lepidus – Caesar’s cavalry
commander
Rome’s empire is divided
• Antony gets
the East
• Octavian gets
the West
• Allies with
Cleopatra
• Obtains
backing of the
Senate
Marc Antony
played by
Richard Burton,
1963.
Greece: Naval Battle of Actium, 31 BC
• Antony & Cleopatra’s forces lose
to Octavian
• Octavian becomes
supreme ruler of Rome
• Civil wars end
Octavian
(31 BC to 14 AD)
• Senate named him “Augustus”
• Created a stable government
• Took personal control of Rome’s
provinces
• Became first emperor
The prima porta
statue of Augustus
First emperor of Rome
(Julio-Claudian House)
6.9 ft., imitates
Alexander the Great
Vatican Museum
Model of Forum
Arch of Augustus model
Tomb of Augustus, Rome
VIII. The Julio-Claudian Dynasty
(31 BC – 68 AD)
• Augustus (Octavian)
• Tiberius (step-son)
• Caligula
• Claudius
• Nero
Elements unifying the empire
• 207 year period of peace - Pax
Romana
• Silver coinage - denarii
• Network of roads
• Trade network
House of Livia
on Capitoline Hill
• Wife of
Augustus
• Mural art
of a
Roman
villa
Emperor Tiberias
ruled 14 – 37 AD
• Roman ruler
during the
crucifixion of
Jesus
Emperor Caligula
r. 37 – 41 AD
• Insane, or…
• Mad for power?
Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus
aka Caligula
• Deified himself & his favorite
sister Drusilla
• Made his horse a senator
• Forced soldiers to collect sea-shells
as “spoils of the sea”
• Reign was sensationalized
• Murdered by Praetorians
Emperor
Claudius
(r. 41 – 54 AD)
• Expanded empire
to Britain
• Supposedly
murdered by
his wife
Agrippina
the Younger,
wife of
Claudius &
mother of
Nero.
Emperor Nero
• Considered a
“monster”,
reportedly
killed his
own mother.
• Died by
suicide
Emperor Nero
(r. 54-68 AD)
• Accused of political murder of
his relatives & the burning of
Rome.
• Neglected the armies.
• Extravagant (Golden House).
• Appeared in plays & in
Olympic games.
Octagonal Room of Domus Aurea (Nero’s
Palace)
Imperial succession
• Rulers who followed the JulioClaudians often seized power,
some were adopted by their
predecessors.
• Many emperors were murdered
by the Praetorian Guard.
VIII. Pompeii
• Located in southern Italy
near the (dormant) volcano
of Mt.Vesuvius
• Destroyed in 79 AD
Bay of Naples, Vesuvius in background
Pompeii city view
Pompeii: House of the Vetii (peristyle)
House of the Vetii peristyle & garden
Pompeii: household shrine
Mock Triclinium 2
See page 178 for banquet foods!
Banquet foods!
• Sows udders stuffed with sea
urchins (appetizer)
• Door mice stuffed with pork &
pine kernels (entre)
• Fricassee of roses (dessert)
Kitchen model, Pompeii
Pompeii laundry tubs
IX. Changes in the Roman
family occurred w/empire
• Divorce introduced for both partners
• Women …
– kept inherited wealth
– owned property
– testified in court
– Social equal to men (nearly)
Roman Matron
2nd Century
• Wealthy
women
commanded
authority &
respect
Sarcaphagus of a Roman Matron
Wednesday 10/20
• Finish the Section 4 WS
• Bring a disk tomorrow – computer
lab assignment
X. Pax Romana
(27 BC – 180 AD)
• 207 years of peace began w/
Augustus
• Continues with 5 good
emperors…
1. Nerva
2. Trajan
3. Hadrian
4. Antoninus Pius
5.Marcus Aurelius
Emperor Trajan r.(98 – 117)
Trajan
• Known for public works
programs and social welfare
• Expanded the empire to its
greatest extent
Aqueduct called Pont du Gard, France
Pont du Gard
side view
Emperor Hadrian (reigned 117 – 138)
Hadrian
• Known for his building projects
throughout the empire
–Hadrian’s wall across the north
of Britain
–The Pantheon
–Hadrian’s villa near Rome
Hadrian’s wall in England
Roman Temple to all the gods…
Pantheon
Pantheon: side view
Largest dome w/o exterior supports
in the ancient world
Coffered
shiny bronze
panels line
the ceiling
The oculus
symbolized the
“all-seeing eye
of heaven”
Empress Sabina
wife of Hadrian
Antinous
ROME: Hadrian’s Tomb,aka Castel Sant
Angelo
Antoninus Pius was adopted as
heir to the throne in 138
• Governed well & frugally
• Established programs to help
his people
• Returned his “salary” to the
government
Antoninus
Pius
• r.(138 – 161)
Temple of
Antoninus &
Faustina
• Dedicated
to the
deified
royal pair
Temple reconstruction
model
• Temple of
Antoninus and
Faustina
• Dedicated to
this emperor's
love for his
beautiful wife
Marcus Aurelius
r.(161-180)
• Considered
excellent ruler,
but had a terrible
family
Marcus
Aurelius
Column of
Marcus Aurelius
• Rome
180 AD
End of the good old days…
• Marcus Aurelius succeeded by
his “insane” son, Commodus
• Period of good imperial rule
ended
Commodus
r. 180 - 192
• Dressed as
Hercules and
performed as
a gladiator
Strangled in his
bath, aged 31
Early Empire was a time of prosperity.
• Trade and commerce linked the
empire.
• Luxury goods arrived in Rome
from as far away as China.
Ostia: Forum of the Corporations
Roman Glassware
Agriculture dominated the economy
• Large landed estates worked by
slaves provided Rome with
food.
• Food was
imported from Egypt.
XI.
Culture & Society
in the Roman World: Law
• Law was based on standards
that applied to all
–Twelve Tables
–Codified
–Evidence weighed carefully
–Innocent until proven otherwise
Literature
• Vergil – Aenid (epic linking Troy with
Rome).
• Horace – satires
• Livy – History of the Roman Empire
XI.
Slavery
• Based on war captives
• Badly treated
• Source dried up during Pax
Romana
–Revolts common after
100 AD
Roman women & slaves…
• Slavery allowed greater
freedom and more of a social
life for Roman women as the
numbers of domestic slaves
increased.
XI.
Education
• Limited to wealthy boys
• Teachers were mainly Greek
slaves
• Curriculum: reading, writing,
morals, law, Latin & Greek,
physical training
XII. Entertainment
• Elaborate public structures were
built for amusement. It occupied
Romans, & forestalled revolt
– Public Baths
– Colosseum
– Circus Maximus
Public Bathing
•
•
•
•
•
Work out
Bathe/ steam
Massage
Eat
Socialize
Ye Olde Bath of Bath
Latrine seating
• Water flow
was constant
(flush toilets)
Latrines
Roman Colosseum
50,000
Spectators
• Begun by
Vespasian after
70 AD
• Built on site of
Nero’s lake &
gardens
• Built w/plunder
from Jewish
wars
Exterior View from East
Roman Colosseum: interior view
Another Interior View (photo by Jaime Clark-Soles)
Gladiators
were the
super stars
of Roman
life…
Thumbs up
Gladiator and leopard from a
Roman mosaic
The Emperor
Commodus
as Hercules
• Son of the good
emperor Marcus
Aurelius
• Probably insane
Mosaic of fighting gladiators
Roman Ampitheater in Arles, France
Ruins of Circus Maximus, Rome
XIII. Art in Ancient Rome
• Realistic
–conveyed simple human dignity
–admired & copied Greek sculpture
• Created for paying patrons
Portrait
1st century AD
Emperor
Elagabalus
• Imperial realism
• Teen emperor
imported from
Syria
• 3rd century AD
Architecture
• Greek models (columns, rectangles)
• Introduced curved lines (arch, vault
and dome)
• Developed & used concrete
Temple of Fortuna Virilis: Greek inspiration
Temple of Hercules: curves
Colosseum: arches, curves, concrete
Pantheon: curves, columns and the dome
Art & Architecture
• Interiors of buildings were
highly decorated
–Landscapes
–Mythology
Pompeii villa bedroom
Cupid riding
a crab
• Interior
decoration
from
Pompeii
• House of
the Vetii
House of Livia: Garlands of the triclinium
XIV. Religion in Rome’s Empire
• Focus on ritual (priests)
–Paterfamilias made offerings to
Vesta (hearth)
• No spiritual, emotional,
redemptive qualities
• Very tolerant of other religions
but….
Portrait of a
man dressed
as a priest/
paterfamilias
• Had complete
authority over
family members
VestaAedes Temple Reconstruction
Temple of
Vesta
House of the Vestals:interior pools, looking South
The Vestal Virgins
• 6 vestal virgins from old patrician families. Served 10 years
as novices, 10 performing the actual duties, 10 years
teaching novices.
• Lived in a palatial building next to temple of Vesta at the
forum. Main duty was to guard the sacred fire in the
temple. Other duties included performing rituals and baking
the sacred salt cake to be used at numerous ceremonies
• Punishment was harsh--if they let the flame go out, a
whipping, for breaking their vow of chastity - walled up
alive underground.
• Honor and privilege surrounding the vestal virgins was
enormous. In fact any criminal who was condemned to
death and saw a vestal virgin was automatically pardoned.
Cicero (first century BC)
• “Romans owe our supremacy
over all other peoples to our
piety and religious observances
and to our wisdom in believing
that the spirit of the gods rules
and directs everything.”
Mythology
• Romans absorbed Greek gods
into their own pantheon
• … continued to assimilate
deities from conquered lands
Asian Mystery Religions
• Offered more personal
involvement
• Focused on a moral code of
conduct with a promise of an
afterlife.
Mystery Religion #1: Cult of Cybele
–Asian goddess of Nature
–Cult focused on the annual
death and resurrection of her
consort, Attis
Mystery Religion #2
Cult of Bacchus
• God of wine and revelry
• Drunken rites were too
frenzied; stories
frightened the Senate
• Banned in 186 BC.
Mystery Religion #3 : Cult of Isis
Egyptian fertility goddess
–Focus on death, resurrection
and immortality
Popular with women
–Initiation was expensive
–Banned at times
Isis
• Her worship
symbolized
resurrection
Mystery Religion #4 : Cult of Mithras
(Persian)
• personified truth, light &
eternal struggle against evil
• Rituals restricted to men
–popular w/Roman soldiers
Mithras
killing
the
Taurus
bull
OSTIA: Mosaic dedicated to Felicissimus
on the floor of the Mithreum
Some parallels between
Mithraism & Christianity
• Celebration of the birth of Dec 25
• Cakes w/ cross were traditionally
eaten at a cult meal (Communion)
• Idea of immortality
Christianity
• Offered salvation, personal
relationship with God
• No expensive or painful
initiation rites (Isis, Mithras)
• Fulfilled human need to belong
Official reaction to Christianity
• Christians refused to worship
the state gods and the emperors
• Viewed as threat to the state
• Punishment was death and
persecution
Christian appeal was widespread
• Promise of eternal life
• Embraced everyone
• Gave hope to the powerless
• Personal relationship w/ God
Why Christianity spread
• Good roads
• Latin & Greek languages
• Missionaries welcomed converts
• Loving God who promised
eternal life gave hope
Apostles spread teachings of Jesus
• Peter
– Missionary to Rome
– First pope
• Paul
– Roman official, Christian enemy…
– Martyred by Nero in 64 w/ Peter
Conversion
of St. Paul
• Caravaggio
• 1600-01
• Church of St.
Maria del
Popolo
St. Peter
• Crucified
(like a
slave)
• upside
down as
he felt
unworthy
Triumph of Christianity was main
cultural trend of the late Roman period
The Tetrarchy
Eastern Empire
Western Empire
• Diocletian
• Maximian
(Augustus)
(Augustus)
• Galerius
(Caesar)
• Constantius
Chlorus
(Caesar)
Diocletian
divided Rome’s
empire in
285 AD
• Last to persecute
Christians
• Restored
prestige to the
throne
Galerius,
the Eastern
Caesar
• Viciously
attacked
Christians
in 303 AD
The Western
Augustus,
Maximian
Constantius Chlorus
Western Caesar
Edict of Milan in the year 313
granted toleration to Christians
• Emperor
Constantine
• Baptized on
his death-bed.
Emperor Constantine’s role
• Christians made up about 5% of
the population or less…
• His conversion ensured the
success of the new faith.
XV. WESTERN EMPIRE DECLINES
Political Reasons…
• Civil war was a constant
threat due to…
–Lack of clear succession laws
–Resort to violent overthrows
–No legal method for reform
Economic Reasons for the Decline.
• Slaves were abused, worked too
hard, did not reproduce
• Less food was produced to feed
the towns
• Barbarian invasions
Population dropped by 1/3!
• Birth rate declined
• Recurring plagues decimated the
population. Cities declined
• Manpower shortages, & no
technological advances
Few were willing to work hard
for the public good!
• No unifying spirit:
–Disinterest
–Demoralization
–Social stratification
Emperor Constantine reunited the empire
Constantine moved the capital
• 324 AD “New Rome” established…
– Constantinople (modern Istanbul)
• Power shifted locations
– from the West (Rome)…
– to East (Constantinople)
Constantinople on the Bosphorus
Christianity
became the
greatest shaping
force in the
development of
western
civilization.
Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia,
largest Christian
Church
• Now a mosque
in Istanbul
Theodosius the Great r.(378 – 395) made
Christianity the official religion of the empire*
• Rome was
under constant
assault from
invaders
during his rule
Military Problems: VISIGOTHS
• Fled to Rome’s empire when Huns
invaded Europe
–Revolted due to poor treatment
• 378 Battle of Adrianople
–Roman armies defeated
–Emperor Valens killed
Christian Rome attacked!
• 410 – Visigoths under Alaric
sacked Rome
– Shocked contemporaries
– Ravenna now western capital
• 455 – Vandals crossed from North
Africa & sacked Rome
Invasion Paths of Attila the Hun
Collapse in the West, 476
• German Commander Odoacer
deposed the Western Emperor
(Romulus Augustulus)
–Odoacer crowned “King of Rome”
–Ended the Western Empire
Rome’s Contributions to
Civilization
•
•
•
•
Pax Romana
Roman Law
Architecture
Literature
Historical Writing
Science
Language
Conclusion: Eastern Empire
• Remained powerful political force for
hundreds of years
– Byzantine Empire
– Seat of Eastern Christianity
• Overtaken by the forces of Islam in
1453
– Western Christendom would not help
TEST Rome Part II
• After the test…define all the
terms on page 269 & place
these with new notes on
Byzantines
• READ Chapter 11 Section 1