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MEDITERRANEAN SOCIETY: THE ROMAN PHASE
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I- FROM KINGDOM to REPUBLIC
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A- THE ETRUSCANS and ROME ► Romulus and Remus: legendary twins rescued by a she-wolf; founded Rome in 753 B.C.E.
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► The Etruscans dominated Italy eighth to fifth centuries B.C.E. ► The kingdom of Rome was on the Tiber River
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B- The Roman Republic and its Constitution ► Establishment of the republic Rome nobility deposed the last Etruscan king in 509 B.C.E. Republican constitution included two consuls: civil and military Consuls were elected by an assembly dominated by the patricians
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► Senate advised the consuls and ratified major decisions ► Both senate and consuls represented the interests of the patricians
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Conflicts between patricians and plebians ► Patricians granted plebians the tribunes ► Tribunes’ power to intervene and veto decisions ► Plebians’ tribunes dominated Roman politics, early third century B.C.E.
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C- The expansion of the republic ► Rome consolidated its position in Italy, fifth and fourth century B.C.E. ► Conflict with Carthage (Punic Wars) and Hellenistic realms ► Rome became preeminent power in eastern and western Mediterranean
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II- FROM REPUBLIC to EMPIRE ► Imperial expansion and domestic problem Gracchi brothers support land redistribution; both are assassinated
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Military commanders recruited rural and urban poor- intensely loyal armies ► Gaius Marius: general who advocated land redistribution redistribution ► Conservative aristocratic class supported general Lucius Cornelius Sulla Lucius Cornelius Sulla ► Civil war
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The foundation of empire ► Julius Caesar: very popular social reformer and conqueror ► Seized Rome in 49 B.C.E. ► Claimed the title “dictator for life,” 46 B.C.E. “dictator for life,” 46 B.C.E. ► Social reforms and centralized control control ► Assassinated in 44 B.C.E.
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► Octavion brought civil conflict to an end. Senate bestowed title “Augustus”, 27 B.C.E. Monarchy disguised as a republic Created new standing army under his control The imperial institutions began to take root
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Continuing expansion and integration of the empire ► Roman expansion into Mediterranean basin, western Europe, down Nile to Kush
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► Pax romana, Roman peace for two and a half centuries ► Well engineered Roman roads; postal system ► Roman law – tradition: twelve tables ► (450 B.C.E.)
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III- The economy and society in the Roman Mediterranean ► Trade and urbanization Owners of latifunda focused on specialized production for export
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► Mediterranean trade Sea lanes linked ports on the Mediterranean Roman navy kept the seas largely free of pirates The Mediterranean became a Roman lake
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► The city of Rome Wealth of the city fueled its urban development
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statues
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pools, fountains,
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arches,
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temples,
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stadiums,
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► First to use concrete as construction material ► Rome attracted numerous immigrants ► Attractions: baths, pools, gymnasia, circuses, stadiums, amphitheaters circuses, stadiums, amphitheaters
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Family and society in Roman times ► The pater-familias – eldest male of the family ruled Women wielded considerable influence within their families influence within their families Many women supervised family businesses and wealthy estates businesses and wealthy estates
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► Wealth and social change Newly rich classes built palatial houses and threw lavish banquets Cultivators and urban masses lived at subsistence levels Poor classes became a serious problem in Rome and other cities No urban policy developed, only “bread and circuses”
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► Slavery- one third the population Urban slaves saw better conditions and possibility of manumission
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IV- The cosmopolitan Mediterranean ► Greek philosophy and religions of salvation Roman deities: gods, goddesses, and household gods
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► Greek influence – Stoicism Appealed to Roman intellectuals Cicero (106-43 B.C.E.) persuasive writer on stoicism
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► Religions of salvation gave sense of purpose and promised afterlife Roman roads served as highways for religious highways for religious spread spread Mithraism was popular with Roman soldiers with Roman soldiers - men only - men only Cult of Isis very popular
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► Judaism and early Christianity Monotheistic Jews considered state cults considered state cults to be blasphemy to be blasphemy The Essenes, sect of Judaism: sect of Judaism: Dead Sea Scrolls Dead Sea Scrolls
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► Jesus of Nazareth Charismatic Jewish teacher, taught devotion to God and love for all human beings Attracted large crowds through his wisdom and miraculous powers The theaching “the kingdom of God is at hand” alarmed the Romans Crucifixion in early 30’s C.E. Became “Crist” or “the annointed one”
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► The New Testament and Old Testament became the holy book of Christianity
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► Paul of Tarsus was principle figure in principle figure in the spread of the spread of Christianity Christianity
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► Rapid growth of early Christianity Strong appeal to lower classes Became the most influential faith in the Mediterranean by the third century C.E.
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