rome and its empire

CHAPTER 7Rome and Its Empire

World Civilizations: The Global ExperienceFifth Edition

Stearns/Adas/Schwartz/Gilbert

Copyright 2007, Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman

Chapter 7: Rome and Its Empire

Stearns et al., World Civilizations: The Global Experience, 5th Edition Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman, Copyright 2007

I. The Development of Rome’s RepublicII. Roman CultureIII. The Institutions of EmpireIV. The Evolution of Rome’s Economic and Social StructureV. The Origins of Christianity VI. The Decline of Rome



I. The Development of Rome’s Republic.

Aristocracy v. peopleSenatusque populus romanorum

The senate and people of RomeTradition v. expansion

A. Etruscan Beginnings and the Early Republic

Complex racial makeupIndigenous ItaliansIndo-Europeans from northGreek colonies in the south

EtruscanCity-states

Rome Independent from Etruscans c. 510

B.C.E.

Republicv. monarchySenate holds most power

Two consuls

Italy and the Aegean



I. The Development of Rome’s Republic

B. The Expansion of RomeRivalry with neighbors

Central, southern Italy by mid-4th century B.C.E.

Parallel developments as territory expands

Extension of citizenshipGrowth of military

Punic Wars146 B.C.E., Roman victory

C. The Results of Expansion

Polarization of rich and poorWeakens traditional balanceLarger estates

Numbers of slaves increase

The Expansion of the Roman Empire, 133 B.C.E.



I. The Development of Rome’s Republic

D. The Crisis of the RepublicClass conflictTiberius Gracchus

Program to redistribute landAssassinated

Gaius GracchusBrother of TiberiusAttempts to continue programEnforced suicide

Generals take the initiativeMarius forces Senate's hand Sulla supports Senate, defeats

Marius

Julius Caesar49 B.C.E., takes power44 B.C.E., assassination

Civil War followsCaesar's nephew, Octavian

victorious, 31 B.C.E.Initiates period of Roman EmpireAugustus



II. Roman CulturePeriod of social and constitutional

crisisIncreased borrowing from Greece,

Hellenistic world

A. The Range of Roman Art Much inspired or copied from GreeceRoman differences

Emphasis on rhetoricRoman engineering superior

ArchesUrban planning

B. Major Themes in Roman LiteratureGeneral move to court patronage

Away from publicHoraceOvidLivy

HistoriesVergil

Aeneid



III. The Institutions of Empire

A. Imperial RuleUnification

Inclusion, citizenshipProtection of one lawAppeal of Roman cultureMilitary, especially at margins

B. Augustus and His SuccessorsReforms

Mystery religions bannedLaws supporting marriage, family

Building programRestructured provincial governmentRewards to veterans



III. The Institutions of Empire

C. Government and ExpansionControl of economy

Commerce regulatedespecially grain supply

Taxations systemPublic works: baths, stadiums,

aqueductsOfficial religions supportedExpansion

Trajan (101-106 C.E.)Greatest extent

Stagnation, difficulties by 180 C.E.

D. Roman LawCodification

PrecedentPrinciples

Citizens gain protection of law

The Expansion of the Roman Empire, 133 B.C.E.



IV. The Evolution of Rome’s Economic and Social Structure

Agrarian initiallyMerchant class addedFamily important

PatriarchalFathers had power of life and death in

RepublicWomen had relative freedom

Right to divorce

A. Slavery in RomeIncreases as a result of empire

From captivesLeads to stagnation in technology

Farmers displaced by slaveryTurn to military for employment

B. Rome’s Economic StructureVariations across empire

Some areas kept pre-Roman traditions



V. The Origins of Christianity

Christianity arises in Roman Empirebut distanced from Roman culture

A. Life and Death of Jesus

Called for reform in JudaismTaught importance of love, charity,

humilityEspecially popular among lower classes

Antagonized leadersCrucified, 30 C.E.Popular following, but many Jews remain

loyal to Judaism



V. The Origins of Christianity

B. Christianity Gains Converts and Religious Structure

Approx. 10 % of Roman Empire by 4th century C.E. Offered salvation to all

Filled spiritual needs as had mystery religions

Spread via communication offered by empire

Used roman-style structure

Paul of Tarsus

Greek follower

Important in spread of Christianity

C. Relations with the Roman Empire

Christian religionSynthesis with Greek and Roman ideologies

Refused to recognize imperial cult

Persecution



VI. The Decline of Rome

ChallengesDeclining revenueBorders threatenedFewer slaves result from lack of new

conquestEpidemics

A. The Classical Mediterranean Heritage Passed on Greek culture

With contributions in law, architecture, empire

rome and its empire

Technology

roman ideologies

roman victory

result of empire

roman culture period

roman literature general

range of roman art

preroman traditions

development of romes