The Roman Empire Part II

Greco-Roman Civilization• Rome absorbed ideas from Greek colonists.• Adapted Greek and Hellenistic achievements• Civilization spread during Pax Romana from

trade and travel.

Literature• Many Romans spoke Greek and imitated Greek

styles of prose and poetry.• Greatest Roman writers used Latin to create their

own literature.• Epic poem the Aeneid, by Virgil linked to Homer– Told of the founding of Rome.– Hoped it would create patriotism and unity in Rome.

History• Great Roman historians– Livy, wanted to rouse patriotic feelings and restore

traditional Roman virtues– Tacitus, wrote about Augustus and successors,

whom he felt had destroyed Roman liberty

Philosophy• The Hellenistic philosophy of Stoicism impressed

many in Rome, including emperor Marcus Aurelius.• It stressed the importance of duty and acceptance

of one’s fate.• Showed concern for well-being of all people.

Art• Like Greeks, Romans sculptors stressed realism.– Broke new ground by showing individual character

• Beautified homes with art– Scenes from literature and daily life were depicted in

frescoes and mosaics.

Architecture• Romans emphasized grandeur .• Mighty monuments to Rome’s power and dignity• Improved the arch and column• Used concrete• Developed rounded dome to roof large spaces• Pantheon – temple to Roman gods, still stands

today

Technology • Romans excelled at engineering.• Many roads and bridges were built.• Aqueducts– Bridge like stone structure that brought water from hills to Roman cities.

Science• Galen- Greek doctor• Advanced medical science by insisting on

experiments to prove a conclusion.• Compiled a medical encyclopedia.

LawGreatest legacy of Rome-• Its commitment to rule of law and justice• Created unity and stability• Basis for legal systems in Europe and Latin AmericaTwo systems of law• Civil law- applied to citizens• Law of the Nations- applied to citizens and non-citizens under Roman rule• Merged when citizenship was extended across the empire

Common principles of the law

• An accused person was presumed innocent until proven guilty.

• The accused were allowed to face the accuser and offer defense against the charge.

• Guilt had to be established through evidence.• Judges interpreted laws and made fair

decisions.

Crisis• Emperor Marcus Aurelius died in 180.• The golden age of the Pax Romana ended.• Next 100 years brought political and

economic turmoil.

Political trouble• Power was seized with

support of troops.• Generals/ political

troublemakers ruled for a few months/ years then were assassinated or overthrown.

• Violence and instability

Economic trouble• High taxes were needed to

support army and bureaucracy. • Heavy burdens on businesses

and farmers.• Farmland was over-cultivated,

and lost its productivity.• Many poor farmers left their

land.

Diocletian• In 284 to restore order emperor Diocletian divided empire into 2

parts• He controlled wealthier eastern part• Co-emperor (responsible to Diocletian) ruled western part• Tried to slow inflation by fixing prices• Laws to ensure steady production of food and goods

Constantine• 312, talented general Constantine gained the throne.• Continued Diocletian’s reforms.• Granted toleration to Christians ( encouraged rapid

growth of religion, and guaranteed its future success) .

• Built a new capital – Constantinople, in eastern part of empire.

Foreign Invasion• Huns, nomadic people migrating across Central Asia,

reached Eastern Europe in 350.• Germanic peoples, including Visigoths, and Ostrogoths

crossed into Roman territory seeking safety.• Roman empire in decline, could not fight off invaders, surrendered: Britain, France, Spain, then Italy and finally Rome.

Attila the Hun• In 434 the Huns lead by Attila embarked on savage campaign of conquest across Europe• Attila died 453, his empire soon collapsed, but invasions forced more Germanic peoples into Roman empire• 476 Odoacer, Germanic leader, conquered emperor in Rome – Official Fall of Rome

Causes for the Fall of Rome• Military:

– couldn’t fight Germanic invasions because army lacked discipline and training – To meet need for soldiers hired mercenaries ( foreign soldiers paid to fight, many were German warriors with little loyalty to Rome)

• Political: – government more oppressive , lost support of people– Corrupt officials, frequent civil wars, dividing empire

• Economic: – heavy taxes to support government and army– Reliance on slave labor- did not explore new

technology– Farmers abandoned land– Middle class sank into poverty– Population decrease from war and disease– Possible climate change reduced agriculture

production

• Social: – decline in values– Need to replace citizen soldiers with mercenaries– Upper class devoted to luxury and self-interest– Costly “bread and circuses” undermined self-

reliance of masses.

Byzantine Empire• Eastern Roman Empire became Byzantine Empire, lasted another

1000 years• In Italy people continued to live much as they had before, though

under new rulers• Still spoke Latin and obeyed Roman laws• Over time German customs and languages replaced much of Roman

culture• Christian church preserved elements of Roman civilization