Ancient Rome Overview

Rome: An Overview

• "All roads lead to Rome" signifies Rome's central importance.
• "Rome wasn't built in a day" reflects its grandeur and long development.
• "When in Rome, do as the Romans do" suggests emulating Roman virtues.

Founding of Rome

• Legend: Romulus and Remus, descended from Trojan hero Aeneas, were raised by a wolf and later adopted by a shepherd.
• Historical Basis: Founded by Latins, an Indo-European tribe, around 1000 BCE.
• Strategic Location: Situated on the Tiber River, providing access to the Mediterranean Sea and serving as a junction for north-south trade routes.

Etruscan Influence

• Monarchy Period: Etruscans ruled Rome from approximately 616-509 BCE.
• Infrastructure Development: They constructed Rome's initial walls and sewer system.
• Cultural Contributions:
  • Introduced the alphabet and number system.
  • Pioneered building techniques like the arch.
  • Advanced sculpture, painting, and metal artistry.
  • Popularized gladiator games and chariot races.
• Overthrow: Romans revolted and established self-government.

Rome as a Republic

• Governance: Elected officials governed the state.
• Patricians:
  • Aristocratic families dominated society.
  • Practiced "patronage," offering support to lower-ranking families for political loyalty.
• Plebeians: Common people with fewer rights.
• Social Structure: A hierarchy existed with patricians/senate at the top, followed by plebeians, and slaves at the bottom.

Roman Government and Constitution

• Senate:
  • A body of 300 patrician members advised officials and managed finances and foreign relations.
• Popular Assemblies: All citizens voted on laws and elected officials.
• Magistrates: Officials implemented laws and acted as priests.
• Consuls: Two men elected annually as chief executives and army commanders.

Law of the Twelve Tables

• Creation: Established in 451-450 BCE at the demand of plebeians for written laws.
• Purpose: Prevented patrician judges from arbitrary decisions.
• Public Display: Laws were posted in the Roman Forum.
• Societal Values: Reflected values of strength, patriarchy, and justice.
• Content:
  • Included man-to-man laws.
  • Specified the death penalty.
  • Regulated slavery.

Life in the Republic

• Thriving City: Rome was a vibrant urban center.
• Forum: A public square that served as a site for government, temples, meetings, shops, and celebrations.
• Social Classes:
  • Wealthy patricians lived in city and country homes (villas) with amenities and participated in politics.
  • Poor plebeians lived in rented apartments with constant fire hazards.
• "Bread and Circuses": Patricians maintained control by providing food and entertainment to the plebeians.
• Togas: Only Roman citizens could wear togas.

Roman Society

• Patrician Families:
  • Paterfamilias held authority over family members and slaves.
  • Adoption ensured family name continuity.
• Women: Could own property but had limited rights.
• Education:
  • Wealthy children were tutored in various subjects.
  • Poor children lacked private education, however women had more freedom as shopkeepers, etc.

Entertainment and Recreation

• Circuses: Held chariot races; the Circus Maximus accommodated 250,000 spectators.
• Bloody Spectacles:
  • Gladiatorial combats in the Coliseum often ended in death.
  • Wild animal battles were also common.
• Theater: Included comedies, satires, mimes, jugglers, dancers, acrobats, and clowns.
• Public Baths: Offered hot pools, cold pools, steam rooms, and exercise facilities, emphasizing hygiene and socialization.

Roman Religion

• Mythology: Adopted and Latinized Greek mythology.
• Syncretism: Incorporated gods from other cultures, like Egyptians and Persians.
• Household Gods: Each family had its own household god. -Eemperor Worship: The emperor was eventually deified.
• Omens: Natural phenomena were interpreted as divine signs.

Roman Cultural Legacy

• Scientific Advancements:
  • Galen summarized medical knowledge.
  • Ptolemy synthesized astronomical knowledge.
• Infrastructure: Built sewers, aqueducts, roads, amphitheaters, and bridges.
• Farming: Developed new farming methods.
• Diffusion: Innovations spread throughout the empire.

Roman Military

• Discipline: Highly disciplined and well trained.
• Eligibility: Roman men aged 17 to 46 with property qualifications.
• Expansion:
  • Dominated Italy by 265 BCE.
  • Expanded by incorporating new soldiers who were promised property.

Roman Expansion

• Punic Wars (264-149 BCE): Three wars against Carthage resulted in Roman dominance in the western Mediterranean.
• Conquest of Greece and the East: Rome defeated Macedonia, Persia, and Egypt, annexing them as provinces.

Transition from Republic to Empire (100s BCE)

• Social Tension: Conflicts arose between the elite and the public.
• Gracchi Brothers: Plebeians led economic reforms to benefit the poor.
• Gaius Marius: Eliminated property requirements for army service in 107 BCE, leading to soldiers' loyalty to generals.
• Lucius Cornelius Sulla: Civil war resulted in Sulla's dictatorship and murder of opponents.

Julius Caesar (100-44 BCE)

• Conquests: Conquered Gaul.
• Civil War: Defeated Pompey.
• Dictatorship: Declared dictator for life in 44 BCE.
• Reforms: Granted citizenship and land to veterans.
• Assassination: Murdered by senators on March 15.

Octavian (Augustus)

• Rise to Power: Adopted son of Caesar, defeated Anthony and Cleopatra.
• New Political Order: Became sole ruler.
• Title: Named Augustus by the Senate.
• Accomplishments:
  • Ruled for over 40 years.
  • Expanded the empire.
  • Created police force and fire brigades.
  • Stockpiled food and water.
  • Restored temples and supported culture.

Pax Romana (27 BCE-180 CE)

• Qualities: An era of stable government, enforced laws, and defended borders.
• Aristocracy: Aristocrats involved in governance.
• Legal System: Strong legal system applied to all citizens.
• Trade: Widespread trade in crops, pottery, and other goods.
• Infrastructure: 50,000 miles of roads connected the empire.

Video 1: Daily Life of Roman Women

• Domestic Roles: Women primarily stayed home, engaging in activities like creating fabric.
• Public Spaces: Limited access to male-dominated spaces like the Forum.
• Porticos: Women could visit porticos like the Porticus of Livia, built by Augustus’ wife.
• Restricted Views: Women's views of events like gladiatorial combats were limited.
• Punishment of Slaves: Harsh discipline was imposed on slaves for mistakes.

Video 3: The Coliseum's Aquatic Battles

• Grand Spectacle: The Coliseum could accommodate 50,000 spectators and featured various forms of entertainment.
• Symbol of Power: The ability to flood and drain the arena showcased Rome’s engineering prowess.
• Naval Battles (Naumachia): Staged naval battles were a popular event.
• Engineering Feat: Engineers devised systems to fill and drain the arena, using specialized flat-bottom boats.

Video: Teenage Life in Ancient Rome

• Suburra: A poor neighborhood in Rome, prone to fires.
• Coming of Age: Boys like Lucius's brother wore a bulla for protection and came of age at 15.
• Education: Lucius completed his education at 17, learning skills like running, swimming, and fighting.
• Restrictions: Lucius could not arrange business deals until 25 but his father will arrange his marriage with one 10 years younger
• Daily Life:
  • Public baths were common.
  • Dinners were held in the 9th hour.

The Roman Empire: Decline and Transformation

• Social and Economic Issues:
  • Wealth disparity increased, leading to a breakdown in military order.
  • The instability prompted a transition to dictatorship.
• Attempts at Reform:
  • The Gracchi brothers proposed reforms but were assassinated.
• Julius Caesar's Rise:
  • Caesar, a military leader, became consul and later dictator.
  • He implemented reforms but was assassinated due to fears of his growing power.
• Augustus's Rule:
  • Augustus took power, ushering in an era of peace and stability (Pax Romana).
  • He stabilized the frontier and established civil service.
• Economy and Society:
  • Agriculture was the primary industry.
  • Slaves were extensively used in various roles.
• Religion and Culture:
  • Romans adopted Greek deities.
  • They valued discipline, strength, and loyalty.
  • Gladiatorial contests and public spectacles were common.
• Emergence of Christianity:
  • Christianity began to spread during the Pax Romana, facing initial resistance.

Perspectives on Julius Caesar

• Shakespearean View: Caesar's assassination was due to his perceived threat to the Roman Republic.
• Historical Debate: Whether Caesar destroyed the Republic remains contentious.
• Generals: Generals are very important to take down land in order to destroy a roman empire

Roman Engineering and Science

• Practical Application: Romans focused on practical applications of engineering and architecture.
• Engineering Achievements:
  • Developed concrete and roads.
  • Utilized arches for water management.
• Greek Influence:
  • Spread Greek thought throughout the empire.
  • Incorporated Greek engineering principles.
• Political Context:
  • Technologies were politically motivated and often involved slave labor.

Guiding Questions on the Twelve Tables

Social Hierarchy and Class Divisions:

• Laws were created in 450 BCE show structure around distinctions between patricians and plebeians.
• Granted privileges and legal advantages to patricians, unequal treatment reflected the power of the elite.
• Roman laws gave men greater legal rights while women had less, highlighting gender inequality.
• Free citizens had legal protections and were heavily influenced by their social and legal status.

Roman Values and Priorities:

• Focused on family life and property rights.
• Paterfamilias (male head of the family) had significant control over family.
• Emphasized contractual agreements and maintaining order in economic dealings.
• Romans also reflected Roman values about justice and the importance of laws in maintaining order. Trial by jury & Punishments for crimes were outlined in the laws.

Similarities to Code of Hammurabi and Modern Legal Systems:

• Purpose of Laws: All systems ensure to maintain order in society. The laws were to ensure fairness, make sure people behaved correctly, aim to protect individual rights and provide justice.
• Written Laws: Writing down the laws was very important to ensure that everyone knew what was expected of them.

Differences of Code of Hammurabi and Modern Legal Systems:

Fairness:

• Twelve Tables sought to make laws more public but were often unfair to gender and slaves.
• Code of Hammurabi believed that what was done to someone should be done to the perpetrator, however punishments depended on social class (harsh)
• Modern Legal Systems: Designed to be more equal, although can still be debated, ongoing discussions occur still today. Individual Rights:
• Twelve Tables protected individual rights less for slaves.
• Based the laws on social hierarchy.
• Modern systems are designed to ensure everyone regardless of status is treated fairly. Conclusion: -Ancient legal codes depended on social status while modern systems strive for equality.