Download Evolution of Roman Society Power Dynamic People who have

Evolution of Roman Society
I.
Power Dynamic
a. People who have power (In Rome)
i. Rich Aristocracy (Nobility…Roman Patricians)
ii. Serve in the Senate
1. To give power to the senate means giving power to the Rich
Aristocracy
iii. Optimates:
1. People in the Roman Senate who want to keep power in the
senate with the rich aristocracy.
2. Reason: Rich Nobles have the education and experience running
large operations and businesses. They can use this experience to
run a large government like Rome.
b. People who want power (In Rome)
i. Non Aristocratic Citizens from the Assembly
1. Small Farmers who owned land
2. Poor landless citizens
ii. Non Citizens (Allies of Rome in Italy)
iii. Populares:
1. People in the Roman Senate who want to give power to those
who do not have it to gain popularity.
2. They advocate
a. giving power to run Rome to the Assembly
b. giving citizenship to the entire boot of Italy.
iv. Reason: Most of the citizens are in the assembly of Rome, and they
should have a say in how they are governed.
c. One side will blame the policies of the other for the problems in the Roman
Republic.
II.
The Reform of the Roman Army
a. The demands of empire created the need for a standing army and for a
professional corps of officers.
i. Traditionally, the Romans employed a citizen militia. The right to
vote was tied with the responsibility to serve in the army. This militia
had conquered the Mediterranean world. To conquer is one thing,
to hold is another. The core of the army was the peasant farmer but
such individuals could not afford to remain in continuous service.
There was however a large number of property-less Roman
citizens who, though not liable for service, might be so employed.
1. Marius, to meet the dangers of the German advance in 104,
enrolled these proletarians and they continued to be used
thereafter.
2. Problems
a. These men had nothing to lose; were prepared for
revolution.
b. As professional soldiers, they demanded both salary
and bonus after service. They were dependent on
commander to achieve it.
c. This professional army increasingly owed its
allegiance to its commander and not to the state.
b. Need for an experienced corps of commanders
i. Traditionally a dilemma for Romans as military leaders achieved
that rank by being elected to office. Many disasters. Dictatorship no
longer possible; appointment of a commander extra ordinem.
ii. The Constitutional Problem of the extraordinary command
1. The position was outside the constitution and had no normal
constraints on behavior.
2. In fact, the office was usually given be the assemblies in
defiance of the wishes of the senate (the senate traditionally
had the responsibility for assigned "provinces" and
commands).
c. In sum, the combination of the extra-ordinary commander and the new
professional army and the dynamic patronal relationship between the two
constituted an important ingredient in the civil wars of the period.
III.
The Italian Question: The incorporation of Rome and Italy politically was an
important step in the transition from city-state to world-state; ultimately it
generated a state that transcended linguistic and cultural differences.
a. Background
i. Italy consisted of a numerous communities (urban plus supporting
rural areas). Some of these communities enjoyed full Roman
citizenship, others had a half citizenship called theius Latinum or
"the rights of Latins" (important commercial, connubial and
residential rights but not suffrage), a third group had only allied
status ius Italicum. The latter were nominally independent states,
but owed military service for the common defense. The situation in
133:
1. Allies provide troops but not taxed; autonomous except in
foreign policy.
2. Provinces consist of subject allies who are taxed and
autonomous in all but foreign affairs and usually did not
provide troops. Increasing number of Romans and Italians
(veterans) settle and form communities of citizens with no
official status.
ii. Rome had conquered the Mediterranean world both with her own
and with Italian citizen militias. The latter had fought willingly
enough against external enemies (Carthage), but now the
acquisition of empire seemed to benefit only Rome; they had
shared the dangers, but were denied the profits.
iii. Allies complained of the increasing arrogant behavior of
magistrates.
b. Gracchus had proposed to extend Roman citizenship to all with the Latin
right and to give the Latin right to all Italians. This was a sensible solution
and eventually the one that was adopted.
c. The problem was aggravated by the unfulfilled promises of the populares.
Bills had been proposed and defeated in 125, 122, and 91.
d. Opposition
i. There was legitimate concern about whether Rome could absorb so
many at one time (it would double her citizen body) and retain her
identity.
ii. Urban population opposed because it perceived that it would mean
a dilution of benefits they increasing enjoyed through the largesse
of the populares.
iii. The optimates opposed because they feared the disruption of the
traditional system; one man would acquire too great a clientele and
threaten the constitution (and their privileged position).
e. Resolution: Bear in mind that the Romans did have a generous tradition
on citizenship.
i. Social War fought between 90 and 88. The oath of the allies;
Italian bull gores Roman wolf
ii. Rome wins by selectively distributing citizenship to some of the
Italians and breaking the strength of the movement.
iii. Note that the Italians created a constitution modeled after that of
Rome...they were ready to be absorbed.
iv. The internal problems were overcome by allowing a number of
magistrates to sponsor the necessary legislation, thus diluting the
danger of excessive clientele.
f. The effects: census data: citizens in 115 = 395,000; 96 = 470,000; 81 =
910,000
IV.
Enfranchisement --the theory. Incorporation by communities was the usual
method
a. It violated the ancient concept of the autonomous city-state..
b. The basis of municipal life was the charter that spelled out the powers of
the community but always allows for appeal to Rome. The charter was
fairly standard. (RC I, p.445ff.)
c. The crucial principle is the notion of dual citizenship.
d. How the concepts of Status and Rank were used in this case. The more
Romanized a community was the easier and less expensive it was to
govern. Hence, the Romans provided incentives for subjects to become
Romans and to move up the scale.
i. Capitulant: lowest status, after conquest; no individual or
community rights
ii. Ally: dependant subject state
iii. Latin right: half citizenship
iv. Municipium: full citizenship
v. Colony: full citizenship but more prestige.