1. 1 Love and the Good Life in the Roman Republic Jeffrey L. Richey, Ph.D. GSTR 220-B Western Traditions I Berea College Fall 2003

2. 2 FOUNDATIONS OF ROMAN CIVILIZATION The Italian peninsula: 1. Easy access to maritime trade routes 2. Climate and topography favorable for agriculture 3. Central location in ancient Mediterranean world First settlers of Italy : 1. Greeks in south (700s BCE) – introduce alphabet, olive and vine cultivation, arts and literature 2. Etruscans in north (600s) – establish models for social and political organization 3. Romans in center (500s) – develop engineering and military techniques By 500s, village of Rome becomes urbanized polis

3. 3 THE ROMAN REPUBLIC (509-31 BCE) Centuriate Assembly makes laws and elects leaders: 1. Consuls (2) – chosen annually; directed government and military 2. Praetor – appointed by consuls to administer justice 300-member Senate advises Assembly Power restricted to patricians (male aristocrats), but later extended to plebeians (non- patrician males) Republican Rome in constant conflict with neighbors because of expansionist policies

4. 4 Extent of Roman Territory, c. 44 BCE

5. 5 ROMAN SOCIETY AND SPIRITUALITY Dominant value: pietas (dutiful performance of social and spiritual obligations) Roman religion: 1. Polytheistic – Greek and Roman deities seen as interchangeable; amalgamated into one pantheon 2. Pluralistic – religious diversity generally tolerated, unless seen as threat to stability of state 3. Patriotic – religious activity intended to secure blessings of gods for the state 4. Patriarchal – organized around male authorities (pontiff, priest; paterfamilias, male head of household)

6. 6 ROMAN PHILOSOPHY While most Romans regard religion as the ancient source of Rome’s power and prosperity, some are skeptical about, or even critical of, the popular religion maintained by the state Many educated Roman men turn to Greek-inspired philosophy for practical wisdom (prudentia) Most popular philosophical movements in Republican Rome: 1. Epicureanism 2. Stoicism

7. 7 EPICUREANISM Founded by Epicurus of Athens (341-270 BCE), Greek teacher who established “The Garden,” a philosophical school/community Epicurean views of: 1. Fate – no such thing; everything occurs completely by chance interactions in a purely physical universe 2. God(s) – no active role in human affairs; may not exist at all 3. Happiness – defined as freedom from anxiety; best achieved through avoidance of public responsibility, simple living, and cultivation of friendship (not romance) “Of all the things which… produce the blessedness of the complete life, by far the greatest is the possession of friendship.”

8. 8 STOICISM Founded by Zeno of Citium (335-263 BCE), Greek philosopher who taught beneath Stoai (porches) in public spaces Stoic views of: 1. Fate – determined by the logos (reason) of the universe, thus natural and acceptable 2. God(s) – identical with logos, nature, and one’s individual intellect 3. Happiness – defined as preservation of one’s natural state; best achieved through obedience to God/logos/nature/fate 4. “The virtue of the happy man and the smooth current of life [is] … the harmony of the spirit dwelling in the individual man with the will of him who orders the universe.”

9. 9 TITUS LUCRETIUS CARUS (96-55 BCE) Roman poet and Epicurean philosopher Little known about his life Author of De Rerum Natura (On the Nature of Things), a comprehensive account of the universe from Epicurean view As Epicurean, committed to fully naturalistic explanation of universe Holds conventional Roman religion in low regard, because of his view that it reinforces both fear and desire – the twin obstacles to happiness for an Epicurean

10. 10 LUCIUS ANNAEUS SENECA (4 BCE-65 CE) Spanish-born Roman writer, politician, and Stoic philosopher Exiled several times for political reasons Becomes praetor in 49 CE and tutor to future emperor Nero, who later forces him to commit suicide as punishment for alleged involvement in conspiracy Author of multiple works, including dramas, poems, philosophical dialogues, and speeches As Stoic, values self-suffiency and questions “unnatural” attachments to things outside oneself, but values association with moral mentors

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