Paganism – State Religion “Pagan” – country dweller Roman Religion Paganism – State Religion “Pagan” – country dweller adapt Greek Gods to meet urban needs Gods are modified to exhibit Roman values housed in Pantheon evolves into emperor worship Cults Astrology / Magic Babylonian origins popular among masses of gullible Romans Female Isis [Egypt] – nurturing priests & priestesses Cybele – [Asia Minor] frenzied - self-castration Mysteries Eleusinian Mysteries – overcome fear of death Mithraism – Zoroastrian very popular, especially among soldiers Christianity [Judaism] monotheism precludes emperor worship persecuted as threat to state, scapegoats underground movement – catacombs periods of tolerance and growth

Roman Philosophy Materialistic & Practical – deals with Roman realities How does one live well in a decadent society? All imported from Athens

Epicureanism Soul perishes with body – founded by Epicurus (341-270 BC), based on Democritos Roman adherents: Lucretius (96-55BC), Horace (65-8BC) Soul perishes with body Death is both extinction and liberation Pleasure, not virtue or justice, is the ultimate good Intellectual pleasure over sensual Moderation over hedonism Religion and belief in afterlife only cause fear Followed by a cultivated minority

– founded by Zeno (335-263 BC), based on Herakleitos Stoicism – founded by Zeno (335-263 BC), based on Herakleitos Roman adherents: Seneca (3 BC – AD 65), Epictetus (AD 60-110), Marcus Aurelius (AD 121-180) Senses over metaphysics Everything real is solid matter (including the soul) Cosmic determinism – everything determined by Logos Must seek harmony with nature Virtue is the sole good in an individual’s life Virtue is a matter of will power An individuals actions determine good or bad outcomes Austere and sober – avoid all passions

– taken from the Academy in Athens Neo-Platonism – taken from the Academy in Athens Ideas are true reality / Ideas are unknowable Goal is to approach these Ideas as closely as possible True Reality comes after death A good life leads to salvation most religious Roman Philosophy lays philosophical foundation for Christianity

BUT Educated Romans use Greek Roman written/verbal arts LANGUAGE: Latin is a major unifying force Contradiction: Both languages used in administering the Empire Source of intense pride BUT Educated Romans use Greek PRESERVATION: Rome becomes the guardian of the Greek/Hellenistic legacy

Mandatory in such a political society Cicero Seneca HISTORY: ORATORY: Mandatory in such a political society Cicero Seneca HISTORY: Destiny chronicled & Propaganda Cicero Livy Tacitus LITERATURE: Virgil [70-19 BC] – commissioned by Caesar Augustus To write Aenead for imperial propaganda Aeneas is the literary model of Roman virtues Catullus [84-54 BC] – lyric poetry Horace [65-8 BC] – odes espousing Epicureanism Martial [AD 40-104] – epigrams: satirical & sardonic criticisms

EDUCATION: Parental responsibility – highly valued Pragmatic – State, not individual oriented Development of the “Academic Curriculum” LAW: justice Based on reality, not Abstraction Main purpose – keep tax revenues flowing Implied: Constitutional Rights Consent of the Governed