Transcript Introduction to Roman History

Introduction to Roman History
The Early Republic
Myths of Origin
Etruscans
• Indigenous or from Asia Minor
• King, council of Elders
• Tarquin the Proud
Structure of the Republic
• Concept of res publica
• Consuls, who had imperium
– Cursus honorum: expansion of
executive branch
• Senate: ex consuls, leading
citizens, advisory function
• Popular assembly
• Tribune added
• Dictator could be appointed
in emergency
Roman government
• What are the two senses in which Rome was an empire?
• What are the limits to Livy's History of the early Roman
republic? How can today's historians make use of his
work? How did the basis for Roman citizenship differ
from citizenship in the Greek polis?
• How did the Roman constitution and laws function to
limit innovation?
• How did Rome's incorporation of allies into its
citizenry affect its power as an empire?
Patriarchy
• What are the implications for the status of women of Rome's focus on pietas
(as opposed to the Greek concept of arete)? What are the implications for the
relative value of the individual vs. the community?
• What were the two kinds of marriage in Rome?
• How did Roman patriarchy affect women's lives?
Wars and expansion
• Conquest of Italy complete
by 300 B.C.E.
• Punic Wars with Carthage
264-146 B.C.E.
– Hannibal, Battle of Cannae
• Conquest of Greek World:
Illyrian and Macedonian
Wars 215-148 B.C.E.
• Social War 91-88 B.C.E.
Expansion under the Republic
Social structure
• Patrons/clients
• Patricians/plebians