Rome1000 Years
only 200 years of peace – Pax Romana
Megalopolis
International Culture
VALUES:
Practical
Rational
Hard Working
Group Oriented
Thrift, Honesty, Loyalty
Self-deprecating
Art’s main function – Entertainment, not Enlightenment
2 Major Periods: Republic & Empire
2 Foundation Myths
•Republican – Romulus & Remus•Hard Work
•Roman success more important than family ties•Imperial – Aeneas
1)Long-suffering2)Total dedication to destiny
Roman Cultural Timeline
Early Influences: 800 – 308 BC – North/Central Italy controlled by the Etruscans Southern Italy controlled by Greeks
Beginnings:
509 BC - Roman Republic established (Oligarchy)
Patricians – wealthy landowners (10% of population)
Plebeians – landless masses (90% of population)
Government:Two Consuls (Patricians) – executive heads300 member Senate (Patricians)Dictator (Patrician) – military leader in time of warTribunes (Patricians) – protectors of the Plebeians’ interests
Law: Twelve Tables – (Greek based, but on Draco, not Solon)
Land Ownership: Large estates controlled by Patricians As time goes on, Plebeians forced into virtual slavery Welfare system created out of necessity
Military:
Most organized in ancient world
Based on the Legions
Punic Wars (264-146 BC) vs. Carthage begins move towards empire
Most of Mediterranean / Northwestern Europe conquered
Citizenship offered to conquered peoples
Cosmopolitan culture develops
End of Republic:
Period of Civil War follows (130-45 BC)
Gaius Julius Caesar becomes Dictator in 45 BC but is assassinated
Empire:
Caesar’s nephew, Octavian maneuvers to become virtual Emperor by 27 BC
Bureaucracy established – so efficient that it can withstand bad rulers
Pax Romana (27-180 BC) – no major wars, stability throughout the Mediterranean
180 BC – death of Marcus Aurelius, last truly great Emperor
180-476 BC – Decline and collapse of the Empire
Growth of Christianity
Constantinople established – foundation of Byzantine culture
Etruscan Culture and Art {Etruria}
Origins in Lydia/Asia Minor?
Confederations of city-states ruled by warrior aristocrats
Control N.Italy for 400 yrs.
rule Rome for 100 yrs. until driven out in 3rd Century BC
Undeciphered unique language
Most of what we know is from their tombs
Pursuit of the good life Accused of hedonism by the Romans
Greek influences
Borrow nothing from the Romans, but huge influence on Rome
Religion –
Asian origins
Divination
Gods similar in function to Greco-Roman
Human Sacrifice – origins of gladiatorial combat
Art is distinctive – earthy, vigorous, sometimes homespun
Unique elements but also Hellenic & Hellenistic influences
Sculpture – Terra-cotta is their favorite medium, but also use of bronze
Painting – Murals
Strong, black-outlined figures with bright colors
Religious, Leisure, & Greek-based subjects
Jewelry – highly skilled goldsmiths
Architecture -
Cities - Rectangular, planned, fortified on hilltops
Greek elements in buildings – colonnades
used Atriums, Aqueducts, Bridges, Sewers BEFORE Romans