Ancient Rome & Early Christianity600 BC to 500 AD

I. Legendary beginnings…

• Romulus & Remus, twins raised by a “she-wolf,” are legendary founders of Rome

Cast bronze statue of suckling twins: sons of Mars Capitoline Museum, Rome

II. Geography

• Apennine Mts did not divide Italy into many small isolated communities (as in Greece)

• Being located near the ocean and on the Tiber River gave easy access to the Mediterranean Sea.

• More arable land, mild climate– larger population

• Italy is located in the midpoint of the Mediterranean Sea. The Romans could send out ships for trade and war in all directions.

• In addition, Rome’s central location between North and South allowed for Rome to govern its Empire easily once it began to expand.

II. Geography

map

Rome was built…

• Along the Tiber River

• On 7 hills w/ fertile soil

• 18 miles inland from the Med. Sea

• Near center of Italian peninsula

• “Not without reason did gods and men choose this sport for the site of our city—the salubrious hills, the river to bring us produce from the inland regions and sea-borne commerce from abroad, the sea itself, near enough for convenience yet not so near as to bring danger from foreign fleets, out situation in the very heart of Italy—all these advantages make it of all places in the world the best for a city destined to grow great.”

--Livy

III. Foreign Influences on Rome’s beginnings…

• Farmer and shepherds who wandered into Italy

• They built the first settlement in Rome

• Eventually bring all of Italy into close contact with the Greeks

III. Latins

III. Greek Influences

• 750 – 500 BC, Greeks colonized southern Italy–Olives–Grapes–Religion (myths & legends)

• Same personalities; different names

–Commercial centers

Hera’s temple at Paestum in southern Italy

III. Etruscan Influences

• Alphabet, architecture (especially the use of the arch), metal working, pottery

• Early kings of Rome were Etruscan

Etruscan pottery4th century BC

Bell Ringer

• Based on what you know about forms of government, what are the differences between a Democracy and Republic form of government?

IV. Rome becomes a republic

• Republic established 509 BC–when last Etruscan king was

overthrown in 509 BC• Tarquin The Proud

• Romans voweled to never be ruled by a king again–Republic is born

Republic -- Split Society

•Rome was divided into Patricians (Upper class aristocratic land owners) and Plebeians (lower class –merchants, farmers, artisans, common people)

Early Republican Virtues

• Conservative

• Reverence for tradition

• Reverence for home, ancestors, gods

Governmental Organization

• The government was made up of 3 branches (Executive, Legislative & Judicial)

• Executive – 2 consuls– Elected by assembly,

1 year terms– Leaders of government& Military

Government Organization

• Legislative – The Senate (300 members),

aristocratic landowners. Controlled public funds and foreign policy.

– Centurian Assembly (citizen soldiers appointed consuls and made laws

– Tribal Assembly elected Tribunes (representatives of the Plebeians) and made laws for the common people.

Government organization cont…

• The Judicial Branch- Made up of Praetors (judges) that were in charge of the courts and enforcing laws.

• The Laws of the Romans were called the 12 Tables placed in the forum, and the later the Law of Nations were introduced and added to Roman law.

During War & Crisis

• In addition, a dictator may be put in place in times of war or crisis. The Dictator would have total control of the military and declare martial law.

• He would rule for a 6th month period.

Rome’s Mighty Military

• The Legion: a unit of 4,000-5,000 Roman soldiers usually supported by a cavalry (solders mounted on horses).

• The Legion was made up of smaller groups called a century. A century had about 80 men in it. The strength of the legion was its flexibility. Each century could break away and act independently of the group.

• All landowners and public office holders were required to serve in the army.

Roman Expansion

• By 265 BCE the Romans had conquered all of Italy and began to expand out from there.

• For the next 500 years they would continue to expand their empire that will include most of western Europe, Greece, Northern African, and Asia Minor

Bell Ringer

• Read Pages 144-146

• Vocabulary (Pg. 144-147)– Hannibal (Long Form ID)– Scipio (Long Form ID)

V. Punic Wars 264 – 133 BC

• Carthage, center of Phoenician (Punic) trading empire–Commercial threat to Rome–Control of Sicily main issue

• Three major wars, Rome won all

Carthage was located near Tunis

Punic Wars – part 1• Following a naval battle…

• Carthage gave Sicily to Rome & paid huge fine

• Carthage annexed Spain…

Punic Wars – part 2

• Hannibal took an army w/ war elephants to Italy … for 17 yrs

• Rome won by attacking Carthage

• Gained Spain as a spoil of war

Hannibal Barca, General of Carthage

• Defeated at

Battle of Zama

• Commits Suicide (183 BCE) in Turkey

Scipio Africanus

• Hero of Punic Wars

• Defeated Hannibal at the Battle of Zama

Punic Wars – part 3

• Carthage destroyed in 146 BC–Became province of Africa

–Population sold into slavery

–City burned to the ground

Carthage: ruins of the acropolis

VI. By 133 BC Rome was master of Mediterranean

• Macedonia & the Greek states were annexed

• Kingdom of Pergamum was deeded to Rome

Reasons for Rome’s success

• Powerful armies were loyal to Rome, not a dictator (nationalism)

• Wise treatment of conquered peoples

• Ability to move troops quickly

… the results of Rome’s success

• #1 Slavery increased

–Plantation system developed

–Farmers (many former soldiers) could not compete with slave labor of plantations

–Farmers sold their lands

… the results of Rome’s success

• #2 Farmers moved to cities

–Became urban poor

–Filled ranks of unemployed

–Discontentment and resentment plant the seeds of the republic’s collapse

VII. Emergence of the Empire(133 BC – 180 AD)

Problems leading to the collapse of the Roman Republic

#1 Poor farmers lost their lands…*Gracchus brothers’ attempted land reform (p.146)

#2 Senate became all powerful

#3 Generals involved in politics…* led to civil wars (p. 147)

Civil War in Rome Sets New Precedents.

1. Soldiers swore personal loyalty to generals in return for lands…

2. Armies fought over Rome, gave power to the commanders

The First Triumvirate

• Crassus, Pompey & Julius Caesar gained military command of the empire in 60 BC, dominating Rome for ten years …

Factors leading to Second Civil War

• Crassus killed in battle in Syria

• Senate feared Caesar’s power–Appointed Pompey leader

–Ordered Caesar to give up his legions…

Pompey the Great

• Caesar’s main rival in the civil wars

Caesar crosses the Rubicon (49 BC)!

• Refused order to disband army–Crossed Rubicon R.

• Marched on Rome –Civil war erupted

–Pompey defeated, killed

Julius Caesar

• Appointed Dictator of Rome in 46 BC

• Copy of portrait bust

Julius Caesar wins the civil war

• 44 BC – named dictator for life

• Reforms:–Created jobs

–Started colonies

–Expanded senate

–Granted citizenship to provincials

Julius Caesar

Killed by Senators March 15, 44BC

Vatican Museum

Caesar’s Tomb

Julius Caesar’s death mask

• Powerful senators feared his popularity & sensed their own loss of influence

Cleopatra VII (Liz Taylor) & Caesar (Rex Harrison)

Will the real Cleopatra please stand up?

• Plutarch writes that Cleopatra was not beautiful in the classical sense…

• Possessed great charm, intelligence and was highly educated

Cleopatra VII

• Made sole ruler by Caesar–Bore his son, Ptolemy Caesarion–Egypt a “client state” of Rome

• After her reign, Egypt lost independence for 2,000 years

Cleopatra & the Peasant by Eugene de la Croix, 1838

Struggle for power follows Caesar’s death: Second Triumvirate

• Marc Antony – Caesar’s ally

• Octavian – Caesar’s nephew

• Lepidus – Caesar’s cavalry commander

Rome’s empire is divided

• Antony gets the East

• Allies with Cleopatra

• Octavian gets the West

• Obtains backing of the Senate

Marc Antony played by Richard Burton, 1963.

Greece: Naval Battle of Actium, 31 BC

• Antony & Cleopatra’s forces lose to Octavian

• Octavian becomes supreme ruler of Rome

• Civil wars end

Octavian(31 BC to 14 AD)

• Senate named him “Augustus”• Created a stable government

• Took personal control of Rome’s provinces

• Became first emperor

The prima porta statue of Augustus

First emperor of Rome(Julio-Claudian House)

6.9 ft., imitates

Alexander the Great

Vatican Museum

Model of Forum

Arch of Augustus model

Tomb of Augustus, Rome

VIII. The Julio-Claudian Dynasty(31 BC – 68 AD)

• Augustus (Octavian)• Tiberius (step-son)• Caligula • Claudius• Nero

Elements unifying the empire

• 207 year period of peace - Pax Romana

• Silver coinage - denarii

• Network of roads

• Trade network

House of Livia on Capitoline Hill

• Wife of Augustus

• Mural art of a Roman villa

Emperor Tiberiasruled 14 – 37 AD

• Roman ruler during the crucifixion of Jesus

Emperor Caligular. 37 – 41 AD

• Insane, or…

• Mad for power?

Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus aka Caligula

• Deified himself & his favorite sister Drusilla

• Made his horse a senator• Forced soldiers to collect sea-shells

as “spoils of the sea”• Reign was sensationalized• Murdered by Praetorians

Emperor Claudius

(r. 41 – 54 AD)

• Expanded empire to Britain

• Supposedly murdered by his wife

Agrippina the Younger, wife of Claudius &mother of Nero.

Emperor Nero

• Considered a “monster”, reportedly killed his own mother.

• Died by suicide

Emperor Nero (r. 54-68 AD)

• Accused of political murder of his relatives & the burning of Rome.

• Neglected the armies.• Extravagant (Golden House).• Appeared in plays & in

Olympic games.

Octagonal Room of Domus Aurea (Nero’s Palace)

Imperial succession

• Rulers who followed the Julio-Claudians often seized power, some were adopted by their predecessors.

• Many emperors were murdered by the Praetorian Guard.

VIII. Pompeii

• Located in southern Italy near the (dormant) volcano of Mt.Vesuvius

• Destroyed in 79 AD

Bay of Naples, Vesuvius in background

Pompeii city view

Pompeii: House of the Vetii (peristyle)

House of the Vetii peristyle & garden

Pompeii: household shrine

Mock Triclinium 2

See page 178 for banquet foods!

Banquet foods!

• Sows udders stuffed with sea urchins (appetizer)

• Door mice stuffed with pork & pine kernels (entre)

• Fricassee of roses (dessert)

Kitchen model, Pompeii

Pompeii laundry tubs

IX. Changes in the Roman family occurred w/empire

• Divorce introduced for both partners

• Women …– kept inherited wealth

– owned property

– testified in court

– Social equal to men (nearly)

Roman Matron 2nd Century

• Wealthy women commanded authority & respect

Sarcaphagus of a Roman Matron

Wednesday 10/20

• Finish the Section 4 WS

• Bring a disk tomorrow – computer lab assignment

X. Pax Romana (27 BC – 180 AD)

• 207 years of peace began w/ Augustus

• Continues with 5 good emperors…

1. Nerva 2. Trajan 3. Hadrian 4. Antoninus Pius 5.Marcus Aurelius

Emperor Trajan r.(98 – 117)

Trajan

• Known for public works programs and social welfare

• Expanded the empire to its greatest extent

Aqueduct called Pont du Gard, France

Pont du Gardside view

Emperor Hadrian (reigned 117 – 138)

Hadrian

• Known for his building projects throughout the empire

–Hadrian’s wall across the north of Britain

–The Pantheon–Hadrian’s villa near Rome

Hadrian’s wall in England

Roman Temple to all the gods… Pantheon

Pantheon: side view

Largest dome w/o exterior supports in the ancient world

Coffered shiny bronze panels line the ceiling

The oculus symbolized the “all-seeing eye of heaven”

Empress Sabinawife of Hadrian

Antinous

ROME: Hadrian’s Tomb,aka Castel Sant Angelo

Antoninus Pius was adopted as heir to the throne in 138

• Governed well & frugally

• Established programs to help his people

• Returned his “salary” to the government

Antoninus Pius

• r.(138 – 161)

Temple of Antoninus & Faustina

• Dedicated to the deified royal pair

Temple reconstruction model

• Temple of Antoninus and Faustina

• Dedicated to this emperor's love for his beautiful wife

Marcus Aureliusr.(161-180)

• Considered

excellent ruler,

but had a terrible

family

Marcus Aurelius

Column of Marcus Aurelius

• Rome

180 ADEnd of the good old days…

• Marcus Aurelius succeeded by his “insane” son, Commodus

• Period of good imperial rule ended

Commodus r. 180 - 192

• Dressed as

Hercules and performed as a gladiator

Strangled in his bath, aged 31

Early Empire was a time of prosperity.

• Trade and commerce linked the empire.

• Luxury goods arrived in Rome from as far away as China.

Ostia: Forum of the Corporations

Roman Glassware

Agriculture dominated the economy

• Large landed estates worked by slaves provided Rome with food.

• Food was imported from Egypt.

XI. Culture & Society in the Roman World: Law

• Law was based on standards that applied to all

–Twelve Tables–Codified–Evidence weighed carefully–Innocent until proven otherwise

Literature

• Vergil – Aenid (epic linking Troy with

Rome).

• Horace – satires• Livy – History of the Roman Empire

XI. Slavery

• Based on war captives• Badly treated

• Source dried up during Pax Romana–Revolts common after

100 AD

Roman women & slaves…

• Slavery allowed greater freedom and more of a social life for Roman women as the numbers of domestic slaves increased.

XI. Education

• Limited to wealthy boys

• Teachers were mainly Greek slaves

• Curriculum: reading, writing, morals, law, Latin & Greek, physical training

XII. Entertainment

• Elaborate public structures were built for amusement. It occupied Romans, & forestalled revolt

– Public Baths

– Colosseum

– Circus Maximus

Public Bathing

• Work out

• Bathe/ steam

• Massage

• Eat

• Socialize

Ye Olde Bath of Bath

Latrine seating

• Water flow

was constant

(flush toilets)

Latrines

Roman Colosseum

50,000 Spectators

• Begun by Vespasian after 70 AD

• Built on site of Nero’s lake & gardens

• Built w/plunder from Jewish wars

Exterior View from East

Roman Colosseum: interior view

Another Interior View (photo by Jaime Clark-Soles)

Gladiators were the super stars of Roman life…

Thumbs up

Gladiator and leopard from a Roman mosaic 

The Emperor Commodus

as Hercules

• Son of the good emperor Marcus Aurelius

• Probably insane

Mosaic of fighting gladiators

Roman Ampitheater in Arles, France

Ruins of Circus Maximus, Rome

XIII. Art in Ancient Rome

• Realistic

–conveyed simple human dignity

–admired & copied Greek sculpture

• Created for paying patrons

Portrait 1st century AD

Emperor Elagabalus

• Imperial realism

• Teen emperor imported from Syria

• 3rd century AD

Architecture

• Greek models (columns, rectangles)

• Introduced curved lines (arch, vault and dome)

• Developed & used concrete

Temple of Fortuna Virilis: Greek inspiration

Temple of Hercules: curves

Colosseum: arches, curves, concrete

Pantheon: curves, columns and the dome

Art & Architecture

• Interiors of buildings were highly decorated–Landscapes

–Mythology

Pompeii villa bedroom

Cupid riding a crab

• Interior decoration from Pompeii

• House of the Vetii

House of Livia: Garlands of the triclinium

XIV. Religion in Rome’s Empire

• Focus on ritual (priests)–Paterfamilias made offerings to

Vesta (hearth)

• No spiritual, emotional, redemptive qualities

• Very tolerant of other religions but….

Portrait of a man dressed as a priest/paterfamilias

• Had complete authority over family members

VestaAedes Temple Reconstruction

Temple of Vesta

House of the Vestals:interior pools, looking South

The Vestal Virgins• 6 vestal virgins from old patrician families. Served 10 years

as novices, 10 performing the actual duties, 10 years teaching novices.

• Lived in a palatial building next to temple of Vesta at the forum. Main duty was to guard the sacred fire in the temple. Other duties included performing rituals and baking the sacred salt cake to be used at numerous ceremonies

• Punishment was harsh--if they let the flame go out, a whipping, for breaking their vow of chastity - walled up alive underground.

• Honor and privilege surrounding the vestal virgins was enormous. In fact any criminal who was condemned to death and saw a vestal virgin was automatically pardoned.

Cicero (first century BC)

• “Romans owe our supremacy over all other peoples to our piety and religious observances and to our wisdom in believing that the spirit of the gods rules and directs everything.”

Mythology

• Romans absorbed Greek gods into their own pantheon

• … continued to assimilate deities from conquered lands

Asian Mystery Religions

• Offered more personal involvement

• Focused on a moral code of conduct with a promise of an afterlife.

Mystery Religion #1: Cult of Cybele

–Asian goddess of Nature

–Cult focused on the annual death and resurrection of her consort, Attis

Mystery Religion #2 Cult of Bacchus

• God of wine and revelry

• Drunken rites were too frenzied; stories frightened the Senate

• Banned in 186 BC.

Mystery Religion #3 : Cult of Isis

Egyptian fertility goddess

–Focus on death, resurrection and immortality

Popular with women

–Initiation was expensive

–Banned at times

Isis

• Her worship symbolized resurrection

Mystery Religion #4 : Cult of Mithras (Persian)

• personified truth, light & eternal struggle against evil

• Rituals restricted to men–popular w/Roman soldiers

Mithras killing the Taurus bull

OSTIA: Mosaic dedicated to Felicissimuson the floor of the Mithreum

Some parallels between Mithraism & Christianity

• Celebration of the birth of Dec 25

• Cakes w/ cross were traditionally eaten at a cult meal (Communion)

• Idea of immortality

Christianity • Offered salvation, personal

relationship with God

• No expensive or painful initiation rites (Isis, Mithras)

• Fulfilled human need to belong

Official reaction to Christianity

• Christians refused to worship the state gods and the emperors

• Viewed as threat to the state

• Punishment was death and persecution

Christian appeal was widespread

• Promise of eternal life

• Embraced everyone

• Gave hope to the powerless

• Personal relationship w/ God

Why Christianity spread

• Good roads

• Latin & Greek languages

• Missionaries welcomed converts

• Loving God who promised eternal life gave hope

Apostles spread teachings of Jesus

• Peter– Missionary to Rome

– First pope

• Paul– Roman official, Christian enemy…

– Martyred by Nero in 64 w/ Peter

Conversion of St. Paul

• Caravaggio

• 1600-01

• Church of St. Maria del Popolo

St. Peter

• Crucified (like a slave)

• upside down as he felt unworthy

Triumph of Christianity was main cultural trend of the late Roman period

The TetrarchyEastern Empire Western Empire

• Diocletian

(Augustus)

• Galerius (Caesar)

• Maximian (Augustus)

• Constantius Chlorus (Caesar)

Diocletian divided Rome’s

empire in 285 AD

• Last to persecute Christians

• Restored prestige to the throne

Galerius,the Eastern Caesar

• Viciously attacked Christians in 303 AD

The Western Augustus, Maximian

Constantius ChlorusWestern Caesar

Edict of Milan in the year 313granted toleration to Christians

• Emperor Constantine

• Baptized on

his death-bed.

Emperor Constantine’s role

• Christians made up about 5% of the population or less…

• His conversion ensured the success of the new faith.

XV. WESTERN EMPIRE DECLINES Political Reasons…

• Civil war was a constant threat due to…

–Lack of clear succession laws–Resort to violent overthrows–No legal method for reform

Economic Reasons for the Decline.

• Slaves were abused, worked too hard, did not reproduce

• Less food was produced to feed the towns

• Barbarian invasions

Population dropped by 1/3!

• Birth rate declined

• Recurring plagues decimated the population. Cities declined

• Manpower shortages, & no technological advances

Few were willing to work hard for the public good!

• No unifying spirit:–Disinterest

–Demoralization

–Social stratification

Emperor Constantine reunited the empire

Constantine moved the capital

• 324 AD “New Rome” established…– Constantinople (modern Istanbul)

• Power shifted locations– from the West (Rome)…

– to East (Constantinople)

Constantinople on the Bosphorus

Christianity became thegreatest shaping

force in the development of western civilization.

Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia, largest Christian Church

• Now a mosque in Istanbul

Theodosius the Great r.(378 – 395) made Christianity the official religion of the empire*

• Rome was under constant assault from invaders during his rule

Military Problems: VISIGOTHS

• Fled to Rome’s empire when Huns invaded Europe–Revolted due to poor treatment

• 378 Battle of Adrianople–Roman armies defeated

–Emperor Valens killed

Christian Rome attacked!

• 410 – Visigoths under Alaric sacked Rome– Shocked contemporaries– Ravenna now western capital

• 455 – Vandals crossed from North Africa & sacked Rome

Invasion Paths of Attila the Hun

Collapse in the West, 476

• German Commander Odoacer deposed the Western Emperor (Romulus Augustulus)

–Odoacer crowned “King of Rome” –Ended the Western Empire

Rome’s Contributions to Civilization

• Pax Romana Historical Writing

• Roman Law Science

• Architecture Language

• Literature

Conclusion: Eastern Empire

• Remained powerful political force for hundreds of years – Byzantine Empire

– Seat of Eastern Christianity

• Overtaken by the forces of Islam in 1453– Western Christendom would not help

TEST Rome Part II

• After the test…define all the terms on page 269 & place these with new notes on Byzantines

• READ Chapter 11 Section 1