the roman empire from the republic to the silk roads
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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
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!)
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.
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