Chapter 11

Mediterranean Society: The Roman Phase

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Establishment of Rome

!! Legend of Romulus and Remus "! Rome founded by Romulus 753 B.C.E.

!! Indo-European migrants ca. 2000 B.C.E. !! Bronze ca. 1800 B.C.E.; iron ca. 900 B.C.E.

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The Etruscans

!! Originally from Anatolia !! Colonized Po River valley to Naples region !! Society declines late sixth century B.C.E.

"! Greek maritime attacks "! Celtic invasions from north

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The Kingdom of Rome

!! Monarchy through seventh to sixth century B.C.E. "! Streets, temples, public buildings

!! Major center of trade routes

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Establishment of the Republic

!! 509 B.C.E., Romans overthrow last Etruscan king !! Roman forum built !! Republican constitution !! Executive: two consuls !! Senate

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Social Conflict

!! Patricians (aristocrats) !! Plebeians (commoners) !! Major class conflict, fifth century B.C.E. !! Plebeians allowed to elect tribunes for

representation !! Rights expanded through third century B.C.E. !! Constitution allowed for dictators to be appointed

in times of crisis

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Expansion of the Republic

!! Dominated Etruscans !! Took over iron industry fifth to fourth century

B.C.E. !! Expansion via military threat and incentives

"! Tax exemptions "! Trade privileges "! Citizenship

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The Punic Wars

!! Conflict with Carthage, 264-146 B.C.E. !! Three major wars over Sicilian grain supply !! Later conflict with declining Hellenistic empires !! Rome dominates Mediterranean by middle of

second century B.C.E.

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Imperial Expansion and Domestic Problems

!! Land distribution "! Perennial problem "! Development of large plantations, latifundia "! Unfair competition for smaller landholders

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Expansion of the Roman Republic to 146 B.C.E.

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The Gracchi Brothers

!! Tiberius and Gaius !! Attempted to limit land holdings of aristocrats !! Tiberius assassinated; Gaius executed !! Development of private armies made up of

landless peasants "! Gaius Marius (with reformers) "! Lucius Cornelius Sulla (with aristocrats)

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Civil War

!! 87 B.C.E., Gaius Marius takes Rome !! Lucius Cornelius Sulla drives Marius out,

83 B.C.E. !! Reign of terror follows

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Augustus

!! Civil conflict follows death of Caesar !! Power belongs to Octavian !! Octavian defeats Mark Antony and Cleopatra !! Takes title of Augustus, 27 B.C.E.

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Expansion and Integration of Empire

!! Roman occupation of increasingly remote areas "! Gaul, Germany, Britain, Spain

!! Coordination of crop production, transport of natural resources

!! Developed infrastructure, cities emerge

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The Roman Empire, ca. 117 C.E.

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Roman Law

!! Twelve Tables, 449 B.C.E. !! Adapted to diverse populations under Roman rule

"! Innocent until proven guilty "! Right to challenge accusers in court

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The City of Rome

!! Cash flow "! Taxes, tribute, spoils, commerce

!! Massive construction projects "! Statuary, monumental architecture, aqueducts

!! Technology: concrete

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Roman Attractions

!! Imported goods !! Underground sewage !! Circus Maximus

"! 250,000 spectators !! Colosseum !! Gladiatorial games

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Roman Deities

!! Polytheistic !! Major gods !! Tutelary deities !! Absorption of gods from other cultures

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Cicero and Stoicism

!! Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 B.C.E.) !! Major orator, writer !! Influenced by Greek thought !! Proponent of Stoicism

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Mithraism

!! 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

!! Jewish monotheism at odds with most ancient cultures

!! Refusal to recognize state gods !! Repeated Jewish rebellions !! Romans finally crush Jewish self-governance in

Jewish War (66-70 C.E.)

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Synagogue at Capernaum

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The Essenes

!! Messianic Jewish cult !! Baptism !! Ascetic lifestyle !! Dead Sea scrolls

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Jesus of Nazareth

!! Jewish teacher !! Moral code, reputation for miracle-working !! Romans fear instigation of rebellion, crucify Jesus

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Paul of Tarsus

!! Extends teachings far beyond Jewish circles !! Traveled widely throughout the Roman empire !! Missionary activity

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Early Christian Communities

!! Local leaders: bishops !! Regional variation in doctrine and ritual

"! Nature of resurrection "! Role of women

!! Gradual acceptance of core texts

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Growth of Early Christianity

!! Roman persecution !! Yet dramatic expansion of Christianity

"! Especially with dispossessed, disenfranchised classes !! Urban poor !! Women

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