ROME

Brought the light of civilized existence to tribal societies.

Assimilated the contributions of superior cultures.

Unified vast territories and different peoples under one rule (through a common legal system, bureaucracy and language).

1. Civilization A

Brought other populations under their control through military aggression.

Exterminated foreign populations through war.Enslaved foreign peoples: force labor, deportation.Seized and occupied foreign lands with settlers.Violently repressed uprisings of native populations Supported repressive foreign regimes in exchange

for adherence from the ruling classes. Treated leniently non-confrontational civilizations:

self-rule in exchange for taxes or military support

2. Civilization B

Barbaric peoples, tribesSuperior civilizationFreedom, liberationExpansion, unification, pacification,

civilization

3. Roman civilization

The Roman empire was the largest and most perdurable of the western world in Ancient times.

It lasted around 700 years.

3. Roman civilization

Consequences of the unification of the Mediterranean under Roman rule:

- Common body of Law- Roman technical advances created new

infrastructure- Improvement in communications- A more homogeneous society- Latin as a common language- Preserved, added to and transmitted the Greek

body of knowledge (literature, architecture, philosophy, science…)

.

3. Roman civilization

Human cost of domination1,000,000 Gauls exterminated by Caesar.Some German and Gallic tribes disappeared

and with them their way of life. Large portions of foreign populations enslaved

and savagely repressed when they revolted: Spartacus and 6,000 followers crucified,

Carthage destroyed.

3. Roman civilization

Three main periods:

Roman Monarchy (753 to 509 BCE)Roman Republic (509 to 31 BCE)Roman Empire (31 BCE to 248 AD)

4. Historical outline

5. Roman monarchy: EtruscansRoman Monarchy (753 BCE to 509 BCE)

Etruscan influence in Rome

5. Roman monarchy: Etruscans Etruscan art

Features of the Roman Monarchy: (753 BCE to 509 BCE)

Rome is dominated by the Etruscans Rural society (shepherds)City statesMyths: Aeneas, Romulus and Remus, Sabine

women.

5. Roman Monarchy

Roman Republic (509 BCE to 31 BCE)Government:

Two consulsSenateAssembly Magistracies (public administrators)

Restricted democracy: indirect representation

6. Roman Republic

Social conflicts:

Patricians (aristocracy, ruling class) and plebeians (disenfranchised middle class)

Aristocrats (ruling families) and the equestrian class (soldiers enriched by foreign wars)

6. Roman Republic

Military campaigns:Conquest of Italy (Etruscans, Greeks, Italic

peoples)Punic Wars (264-146 BCE) against the

Carthaginians.Conquest of the East: Hellenistic kingdoms

(146 BCE)Conquest of the West: Gaul (60-44 BCE).

6. Roman Republic

6. Roman Republic: ExpansionThe Mediterranean before Roman expansion

6. Roman Republic: Punic Wars

Punic wars:Carthage is the capital of the Carthaginians (Poeni)Hannibal: Carthaginian general Scipio: Roman general

Consequence of the war: Rome conquers the Western Mediterranean (Sicily, Spain, Northern Africa).

6. Roman Republic: Punic Wars.

6. Roman Republic: Hellenistic kingdomsConquest of the Hellenistic kingdoms (146 BCE-31

BCE):Macedonia, Greece, Asia Minor (Pergamum), Syria,

Egypt (Cleopatra)…

6. Roman Republic: GaulConquest of the Gaul by Julius Caesar (60-44

BCE).

Government: emperorOctavian (Augustus) 31-14 BCE: Pax RomanaAbsolute power of the emperorConsolidation of Roman power and administration

in all the provinces

7. Roman Empire

7. Roman EmpireMaximum expansion of the Roman empire

(116 AD)

7. Roman empire: comparison

Army and empireOpulence and decadenceCruelty and spectacleDaily life in Pompeii

8. Topics

9. Opulence and decandence

9. Opulence and decadenceFrugalitas (austerity)Mos maiorum (customs

of the ancestors)Moral decline is

associated with wealth and foreign influence

Problematic relationship with Greek art and literature (extravagant)

9. Opulence and decadenceReasons for the

“myth”:Wealthy aristocrats:

art collectors, owners of magnificent villas …

Banquet: means of political networking

Roman invective (political attacks): accusations of decadence.

10. Cruelty and spectacle:

10. Cruelty and spectacle

10. Cruelty and spectacle: naumachia

10. Cruelty and spectacle: the circus

11. Daily life: the houseThe Roman HouseVestibule: images of

ancestorsAtrium: entrance

courtyardTablinum: officePeristyle: backyard/

garden

11. Daily life: the houseWalls decorated with

frescoesFloor covered with

mosaicsScarce furniture

Tablinum (dining room)

11. Daily Life: the housePeristylum

11. Daily life: BathsBaths:

Daily ritualCultural and sports

complex: library, lectures, gyms, swimming pool, sauna, gardens, (and of course prostitutes, food, board games…)

Hygiene: daily bath

Caldarium (hot sauna)

11. Daily life: BathsNatatio (swimming pool)

Piscina mirabilis (cistern)

11. Daily life: BathsAqueducts

Playing dice

11. Daily life Tavern