The Roman Empire

From the Republic to the Silk Roads

Early Stages

Rome grows in influence on peninsula after the Rape of Lucretia. Consolidates control over Peninsula.

2nd Century B.C.E Rome victorious in regional war with Carthage-Punic Wars. Northern Africa acquired.

Roman government known for tolerance becomes popular.

Civil War: fuels fire

After the failed Gracchi Brothers reform efforts to equalize classes. A War breaks out in 87 B.C.E between rival generals; Gaius Marius (Plebians) and Gaius Sulla (Patricians). Both men wrought destruction upon the state.

Sulla murdered tens of thousands in the wake of Marius death.

Violence and Republic

Not compatible. Rome is thrust on a path of strong

centralized leadership. Caesar marches on Rome and replaces

the Republican Constitution with a centralized Imperial Government.

Rise of gladitorial games.

Caesarian Politics

Building projects to support lower class Centralization Assassinated in 44 B.C.E Rise of his grand nephew (not related)

Octavian Augustus. Birth of the Pax Romana (Peaceful

Rome) and the Age of Empire.

Expansion and Integration

Roman Roads (Appian Way)

Dramatic impacts on areas…Roman expansion unlike Hellenistic had been into “newer” more rural areas such as Iberia, Germany, and Britannia.

Tempo of society increased dramatically.

Roman traditions took root.

Cross cultural interactions increased.

Empire and Commerce

Mare Nostrum (our sea): dominance in Mediterranean

Communication and exchange united Urbanization movement—Rome and

Beyond Wealth and commerce concentrated in

cities Diversification and specialization of

labor

Innovation

Roman Aqueducts Buildings such as

the Colliseum “Bread and

Circuses”

Roman Religion and Philosophy Early religion saw a parallel to Greek

Religion During Hellenistic age their religion

was the subject of diffusion, as they acquired faiths from the region such as Mithraism.

Primary philosophy was Stoicism which was embodied by Cicero and Cincinnatus, this prescribed civic virtue as a great good.

Greatness of Cicero

Prior to the rise of Augustus

Consul whose Caitiline Oratories saved the republic.

Become a model for the stoic brilliance of Roman culture and philosophy.

Literary Flowering

Aeneid by Virgil: a heroic tale about the virtue and greatness of Rome.

Livy: the History of Rome a comparable work to Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War.

Horace: essayist who promoted the simplicity and brilliance of Roman culture and life.

Religions of Salvation Appealed to the masses Mithraism: Zoroastrian god identified

with sun and light. Romans associated him with virtues such as strength, discipline, and courage. Rewarded military and moral virtue Promised a union with Mithras

Cult of Isis

Mithraism not open to women.

Isis had become the most popular faith in the region during the Hellenistic age.

Seen as benevolent and tolerant, her worship seen as salvation.

Rome moving away from Greco-Roman traditions, setting the stage for Christianity.

Jews and Rome

State cults were blasphemous Refused to worship Roman Emperors Judea suffered greatly economically

and politically. Resistance and conflict were common:

Jewish War 66-7. Essenes and other groups looked for a

savior who would deliver them from Roman rule.

King Herod

A “client king” or “puppet king” of Judea.

Hated by the Jews for his taxes, harsh laws, and religious interference.

Promoted the “cult of Roma”.

Anti-Roman movements emerge: Zealots

Jesus of Nazareth

Born in 4 C.E Arrived during a time

of tension between Jews and their emperor.

“Kingdom of god” in direct contrast to the Roman Empire.

Political v. Religious overtones

His death in the early 30’s C.E didn’t put an end to the movement.

Teachings

His teachings were in the Jewish tradition His teachings amended Jewish traditions Taught his followers not to revolt against

Rome. Pontius Pilate the Roman Prefect

(Governor) put him to death not for his religious teachings but in his mind to quell disobedience and promote social order.

Spread of Christianity

Peter continued the teachings of Jesus. His leadership in the Apostles led to the creation of Bishoprics and the Papacy.

Paul of Tarsus (purple pages) brought the church outside of Judea through his missionary activities and made it applicable to all peoples not just Jews.

Appeal of Christianity

Open to all, including non-Jews, women, and commoners.

Held out a promise of salvation

Gave each person a sense of community.

Contrast with pagan (Greco-Roman) faiths of the day.

Spread quickly

Acceptance of Christianity Martyr stories suggest that

the degree of hostility towards them was savage.

Roman citizens misunderstood Christianity.

Distrusted the exclusivity of the faith.

Didn’t understand the rituals and sacraments, thought of them as atheists.

Emperor Constantine, in the Edict of Milan removed religious intolerance from Roman law and granted religious freedom.

Theodosius 391 CE made it the official faith of Rome.

Fall of Rome

Reign of Commodus after the brilliance of the Philosopher Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

Barracks Emperors Period (235-284, 26 Emperors!)

Diocletian’s Division: 284 CE The Empire was

growing too large to effectively governing.

Barbarian Groups

Barbarians found gaps in Roman defenses.

Goths burst into Europe in 285.

Franks, Saxons, Visigoths, and other groups looted the empire.

Rome West ceased to exist after 476 CE.

Germanic invasions and the fall of the western Roman empire, 450-476 C.E. Page: 316