Chapter 11: Mediterranean Society; the Roman phase

ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME . . .

Foundation of the Roman Empire:City of Rome-founded in the 8th century B.C.E.

Romulus & Remus: found by a she-wolf

-Romulus founded Roma and est. himself as the first king

Indo-European migrants settled in Italian peninsula

Bronze metallurgy: 1800 B.C.E / Iron metallurgy: 900 B.C.E.

Etruscans: dominated Italy from 8th 5th centuries B.C.E.

-Kings provided city with streets, defensive walls, temples, & public buildings

Rome=situated on Tiber River no risk of

invasion from sea

Alps provided protection from invasion as well

The Roman Republic:509 B.C.E-monarchy replaced by aristocratic republicRoman Forum-political & civic center for gov’t businessConsuls-elected by an assembly of patricians; formed civil &military powerPatricians=wealthy class; Plebians=common peopleSenate-ratified all major decisions; composed of aristocratsStrained relations between the two classes; Patricians let plebians elect tribunesRomans treated their subjects fairlyPunic Wars- Romans against Carthage; series of 3 wars; Romans wonsalted land for agriculture and forced many into slaveryHellenistic Empires- Antigonids ruled Macedonia; Ptolemies ruled Egypt; Seleucids ruled Syria & Anatolia

Republic to EmpireGracchi Brothers- wanted to limit amount of conquered landGaius Marius- a general who worked to reform land distributionSulla- a general who allied with the aristocrats; in his reign he murdered manyCivil warLatifundia- large plantations Julius Caesar: centralized control-social reformer; took large part in sponsoring public entertainment -conquered Gaul & seized Rome; named himself dictator for lifeOctavion: ended civil conflicts; defeated Mark Antony

-given title of “Augustus” -ruled a monarchy disguised as a republic-reorganized military and placed people who were loyal to him in important positions Pax Romana- period of Roman peace Twelve Tables- codified Roman law

Economy & Society:“All roads lead to Rome”- extensive and advanced roads with postal stations; linked all parts of Roman empire togetherEconomic foundation=agriculture; owners of latifundia focused on production for exportTraded actively in Mediterranean-called mare nostrom (our sea)Acqueducts- brought water into the cityPublic baths, temples, stadiumsConstructionemployment for hundredspopulation increasedeconomy grewattracted migrantsCircus Maximus & the Roman Colosseum provided entertainment-battles between gladiators and animals, etc.

Gladiator Colosseum Battle http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8

5c5n_gladiator-escene-battle_music

Family & Society:Pater Familias (“father of the family”)-eldest male

in family was dominant

-women had much influence over family

matters & could own property

-fathers could sell children into slavery

Merchants, landowners, etc. gained much

wealthrivaled nobility

Rich classes built large palatial houses &

held banquets

Family & Society Continued…

1st Century B.C.E.-poverty became problem and people would riot

-imperial authorities never est. urban policy, but kept people happy w/ “bread and circuses”

2nd century C.E.-slaves took up 1/3 of population;

worked on latifundia

-harsh conditions lead to revolts

-Spartacus-assembled army of slaves

-urban slaves had better conditions and possibility of

manumission (freed after many years of loyalty)

Cosmopolitan Mediterranean:Romans were polytheisticThe Pantheon-temple that honored all godsGreek Influence:-StoicismStoics -moral standards based on both nature & reason ethical codes-Cicero wrote on Stoicism; pursuit of justice=highest dutyReligions of salvation promised afterlife; comforted many-roads enabled quick spread of religion-Mithraism= cult of Mithras; popular among armed forces (men) and was associated with strength, courage, & discipline-Cult of Isis=most popular before Christianity; for both men and women

Judaism & ChristianityJews recognized only Yahweh as divine and thought of cults as blasphemy; mounted rebellions, however Romans won in the Jewish War (66-70 C.E.)-Essenes=sect of Judaism; Dead Sea ScrollsJesus of Nazareth:-Jewish teacher; teachings of devotion to God attracted many people-teaching of “the kingdom of God is at hand” threatened RomansexecutionChrist-“the anointed one”Paul of Tarsus: major role in spread of ChristianityChristianity spread rapidly; appeal to lower classes , women, and the urban population-most influential faith by 3rd century

PAUL OF TARSUS