Chapter11

Chapter 11Mediterranean Society: The Roman Phase

The Etruscans and RomeLegend: City’s existence owed to flight of Aeneas Migrated from TroyThe Aeneidby VirgilIndo-Europeans arrive 2000 B.C.E. – blendBronze arrives c. 1800, Iron c. 900

Romulus and RemusTwin descendants of AeneasAbandoned by evil uncle along Tiber RiverNursed by wolf and grow strong753 B.C.E. – Romulus founds Rome – becomes king

The Etruscansfrom AnatoliaColonized Roman regions Thriving cities, economic alliances (bronze, iron)Society declines late 6thc. BCEGreek maritime attacksCeltic invasions from north (Gaul)

The Kingdom of RomeMonarchy through 7th-6thc. BCEGeographic advantage – along Tiber, not on coastStreets, temples, public buildingsMajor center of trade routesBenefits from decline of Etruscans

The Roman Republic and Its Constitution509 B.C.E. – Romans overthrow last Etruscan kingReplaced with Aristocratic republic

Establishment of the RepublicRoman ForumRepublican constitutionExecutive: 2 consuls with civil and military powersConsuls elected by assembly of aristocrats (hereditary)Senate – advised consuls and ratified decisions

Conflicts Between Patricians and PlebeiansPatricians (aristocrats)Plebeians (commoners)Plebeians allowed to elect tribunes for representationRights expanded through 3rdc. BCE6-month appointments of dictators in emergencies

Expansion of the RepublicDominated EtruscansTook over iron industry 5th-4thc. BCEExpansion via military threat and incentivesTax exemptionsTrade privilegesCitizenshipRestricted alliancesRequired military service

Expansion in the MediterraneanCarthage main competitorAntigonids, Ptolemies, SeleucidsHellenistic prosperity supported growing trade network

The Punic WarsConflict with Carthage, 264-164 BCE3 wars over Sicilian grain supplyRome gains control of Carthaginian landsRome dominates Mediterranean by middle of 2nd C. BCE

Imperial Expansion and Domestic ProblemsLand distributionPerennial problemDevelopment of large latifundiaUnfair competition for smaller landholders

The Gracchi BrothersTiberius and GaiusAttempted to limit land holdings of aristocratsAssassinatedDevelopment of private armies made up of landless peasantsGaius Marius (with reformers)Lucius Cornelius Sulla (with aristocrats)

Civil War87 BCE Gaius Marius takes RomeLucius Cornelius Sulla drives Marius out 83 BCEReign of terror follows – encourages Romans to kill “enemies” of the stateSulla imposed conservative programs – weakened influence of lower classes

The Foundation of EmpireRome still plagued with class conflictPoor flooded cities, joined private militariesJulius Caesar become a popular leader in favor of social reformLed the process from republic to imperial rule

Julius CaesarNephew of MariusEscapes Sulla’s terrorRelatively young, well-timed trip abroadAttacks Rome 49 BCENames self Dictator for life in 46 BCECentralized rule, confiscated land from conservativesAssassinated in 44 B.C.E.

AugustusCivil conflict follows death of CaesarNephew Octavian fights Mark Antony & CleopatraTakes title Augustus 27 BCERuled for 45 years

Augustus’s AdministrationMonarchy disguised as a republicKept republican form of governmentIncreasing centralization of political, military powerStablilized empireDeath in 14 CE

Continuing Expansion and Integration of the EmpireRoman occupation of increasingly remote areasGaul, Germany, Britain, SpainIntegrate into economy and societyCoordination of crop production, transport of natural resourcesAllied with local rulersDeveloped infrastructure, cities emerge (Paris, Lyons, London, Cologne, Segovia)

The PaxRomanaRoman Peace27-250 CEFacilitated trade, communication

Roman RoadsRoads linked the territories, supported trade and communicationCurbs, drainage, milestonesPostal service

Roman LawTwelve Tables, c. 450 BCEAdapted to diverse populations under Roman RuleLaws integrated larger societyInnocent until proven guiltyRight to challenge accusers in court

Economy and Society in the Roman Mediterranean

Trade and UrbanizationFocus on MediterraneanGrowing economy brings social changeState brings more regions into controlAgriculture – foundation of economy

Commercial AgricultureLatifundia: production for exportRegional specialization increases – better use of landIntegration of Empire-wide economySpain- olive oil, wine, horses, metalsPalestine and Syria – fruits, nuts, woolItaly – pottery, glassware, bronzeGreece – olives, vinesGaul – grain, copper

Mediterranean TradeVigorous tradeSea lanes linked ports from Syria and Palestine to Spain and North AfricaRoman navy kept sea free of pirates – cargo safer and larger“mare nostrum” – our sea

The City of RomeCities promoted economic and social changeCash flowed to RomeTaxes, tribute, spoils, commerceMassive construction projectsStatuary, monumental architecture, aqueductsTechnology: concrete

Roman CitiesCities built at strategic pointsImported goods, luxury itemsUnderground sewageCircus Maximus250,000 spectatorsColosseumGladitorial Games

Family and SocietyRoman family consisted of entire householdSlavesFree ServantsClose relatives

The Pater FamiliasPater Familias: “father of the family”Right to arrange marriages, sell children into slavery, determine work, punish as see fitWomen not allowed to inherit propertyRarely enforcedSupervised household

Wealth and Social ChangeNewly rich challenge aristocracyPoor class increased in sizeOften rioted to improve conditionsDistraction: “Bread and Circuses”

Slavery2ndc. CE: estimated at 1/3 of Empire populationCustomary manumission at age 30Agricultural work, quarries, minesChain laborRevolt under Spartacus, 73 BCE – 70,000 slaves Educated slaves - Epictetus

The Cosmopolitan Mediterranean

Greek Philosophy and Religions of SalvationAs people moved throughout the Mediterranean world, they carried their religious beliefsRoads and communications spread popular religions

Roman DeitiesPolytheisticMajor gods – Jupiter, Mars, Ceres (grain)Tutelary deitiesAbsorption of gods from other cultures

Greek InfluenceInfluenced Roman philosophy and use of reasonable thoughtStoics – sought universal moral standards

Cicero and StoicismMarcus Tullius Cicero (106-46 BCE)Major orator, writerInfluenced by Greek thoughtProponent of StoicismEmphasized duty to live in accordance with nature and reasonPursuit of justice as highest duty

Religions of SalvationMasses found comfort in religions of salvationProvided a sense of purposeSpread during Hellenistic timesBrought to Rome by migrantsRoads served as highways for religions of salvation

MithraismFrom Zoroastrian myth: god of Sun, lightRoman version emphasizes strength, courage, disciplineWomen not admitted into cultAppealed to military

Cult of IsisOpen to men and womenMost popular religions of salvation before ChristianityUsed to cope with stresses of cosmopolitan life

Judaism and Early Christianity10th century BCE – Jewish Kingdoms of David and Solomon dissolveJewish faith maintained by followers under foreign rulersJews did not want to participate in worshipping of deities

The Jews and the EmpireJewish monotheism at odds with most ancient culturesRefusal to recognize state godsTension grows as Rome expands into Southwest AsiaRepeated Jewish rebellions in PalestineRomans finally crush Jewish self-governance in Jewish Wars (66-70 CE)

The EssenesMessianic Jewish Cult 1st century BCEStrict moral codesBaptism – rituallook for savior to free from Roman rule Ascetic lifestyleDead Sea Scrolls

Jesus of NazarethJewish teacherBorn about 4 BCEMoral code, reputation for miracle-working“kingdom of God is at hand”Romans fear instigation of rebellion, crucify Jesus in early 30s CEIesusNazarenus Rex Iudaeorum

Jesus’ Early FollowersBelief in Jesus’ resurrection, divine nature (later)Title Christ: “Anointed One”Teachings recorded in New TestamentOver time, teach he is son of God

Paul of TarsusJewish followers – some want to gain convertsExtends teachings far beyond Jewish circlesJew from AnatoliaIntensive travel, missionary activity

Early Christian CommunitiesLocal leaders: BishopsRegional variation in doctrine and ritualNature of resurrectionRole of womenGradual acceptance of core texts

The Growth of Early Christianity

SummaryUnder Romans, Mediterranean peoples become tightly integratedRoman Empire – Administration over vast landsSpecialized agriculture and industrial productionSpread of popular religions, Philosophy

Chapter11

In this document

Chapter11

Editor's Notes

Chapter11

More Related Content

What's hot

Viewers also liked

Similar to Chapter11

More from mr_rodriguez23

In this document

Chapter11

Editor's Notes