rome from republic to empire. roman law of nations system of laws developed in order to govern a...
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ROMEROME
FROM Republic TO empireFROM Republic TO empire
Roman Law of Nations
System of laws developed in order to govern a growing empire
Based on natural (universal) law– Standards of justice that applied to all
people– Based on reason
Due Process Property Rights Recognition of cruelty of slavery
The Institution of Slavery
Common form of labor in ancient Rome– Slaves were prisoners of war– Came from all parts of the empire
What did slaves do?– Built public works (roads, buildings, etc.)– Worked private lands of wealthy– Household workers (cooks, waiters, etc.)– Shop assistants, craftsmen– Gladiators– Greek slaves
Tutors, artists, musicians, doctors
Slavery, cntd.
Tough conditions – particularly laborers– Cheaper to work them to death
Revolts– Spartacus (73-71 B.C.)
Defeats several Roman armies with force of 70,000 slaves
He and 6,000 followers crucified
Roman Literature
Golden Age of literature – Augustan Age– Virgil writes the Aeneid
Poem meant to honor Rome Portrays Aeneas as the ideal Roman
– Virtues of duty, piety, and faithfulness
Symbolizes Romans divine mission to rule world
Roman Art
Adopted Greek style of sculpture– Embraced realism
Did not constantly pursue perfection like the Greeks
Roman Architecture
Embrace Greek architecture– Columns and square buildings
Introduce curved lines– Arches, vaults and domes
Use concrete on massive scale New methods in architecture allow
them to create larger structures than Greeks
Build networks of roads, bridges, aqueducts
Christianity
Spreads in Mid East region of empire due to:– Preaching of Jesus– Word that he had arisen from death
Spreads through empire– Preaching by apostles
St. Peter establishes Christian communities in Asia Minor (Turkey) and Greece
Writing of the Gospels (70-100 AD)– Teachings of Jesus– Disciples’ letters
Christianity, cntd.
By 100 AD– Churches in most cities of eastern
Empire Mostly of Jewish or Greek origin
By 200 AD– Latin-speaking peoples being converted
Western section of the Empire
Persecution of Christians
Romans thought Christians were harmful– Refused to worship Roman gods
Seen as treason – punishable by death Began under Nero (54-68 AD)
– Blamed them for fire that ravaged the city Cruel deaths (Coliseum)
Persecution lessens during second century– By 180 AD Christians are strong minority of
empire
Acceptance of Christianity
Rise of the clergy (Church leaders)– Bishops assert more control over
communities– Increased organization means rapid spread
Why rapid growth?– Appealing message to Roman masses
Individual worth under God Sense of belonging (strong communities) Spiritual equality (eternal life)
Constantine
Edict of Milan (313 AD)– Officially proclaims tolerance for
Christianity Recognizes its growing strength
Constantine baptizes– Becomes first Christian emperor
Does so right before his death
Emperor Theodosius makes Christianity official religion of Roman empire
The Division
Belief that empire had grown too large– Emperor Diocletian divides it into 2 (293
AD) Each region Diocletian rules West and ultimate
influence in East
– Eventually reunited under Constantine in 324 Creates new capital city in Greek city of
Byzantium Renamed Constantinople
– Will soon become center of Byzantine Empire
Weakening of Rome
Diocletian and Constantine govern over large bureaucracy– Large public servants (civil service)– Standing army of 500,000 men
Draining most public funds
No increase in population– Means no increase in tax base– Rome’s economic strength dwindling
The Fall
Empire divided for a second time– Rome capital of West– Constantinople capital of East
The Visigoths sack Rome (410)– Germanic tribe pushed South and West
by the Huns The Vandals sack Rome (455)
– Roaming tribe from Spain via Africa
Visigoths
Vandals
476 AD
Western Emperor Romulus Augusts deposed by Germanic head of army– Splits into series of
kingdoms Eastern empire
continues as the Byzantine Empire
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