Ancient Rome
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Ancient Rome
Rome
Similarities to other ancient civilizations?
What made it unique?
Pros and cons of republic vs. empire?
Where do we see traces of it in modern
West?
Rome
The Origins of Rome
(ca. 800-500 BC)
In Latium
On Tiber River
Originally ruled by kings
Legendary founders:
Romulus and Remus
Rome
She-wolf (ca. 500 BC),
Capitoline Museum, Rome
Rome
The Roman Republic (ca. 500-27 BC)
Established after overthrow of kings
Republic (res publica)
Goal: limit arbitrary authority of one person
Government authority to be shared equally among Roman
aristocrats
Rome
Republican
Government
Consuls
The Senate
Supervised foreign affairs,
treasury
Lifelong terms
Dictator
The Senate
Executive authority
Term: 1 year
Wielded supreme executive
authority during
emergencies
Term: 6 months
Rome
Roman Expansion
Formidable army (“iron
legions”)
By 133 BC Italy and
Greek East conquered
Built roads
Established colonies
Rome
The Punic Wars
(264-146 BC)
Mediterranean powers:
Rome, Carthage
Carthaginian Empire was
great naval power
Roman and Carthaginian
animosity three wars
End result: destruction of
Carthage
Rome
First Punic War
(264-241 BC)
Over Sicily
Rome built a fleet
Rome was ultimate victor,
due to trouble in
Carthaginian government
Outcome
Carthage no longer
maritime superpower
Rome gained Sicily, more
later
Rome
Second Punic War
(218-201 BC)
Carthage expanded
empire in Spain war!
Hannibal invaded Italy
(218 BC) via Alps,
advanced to south
Rome conquered Spain
(206 BC), won in Africa
(202 BC)
Outcome: Carthage lost
empire outside Africa
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Corvus
Rome
Questions?
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Crisis in the Republic
Power struggles,
disregard for
republican ideals
100+ years of warfare
Slave War in Italy
(73-71 BC)
70,000 + slaves revolted,
led by Spartacus
Defeated 4 legions
Ultimately crushed 6,000
slaves crucified
The Roman Republic
Julius Caesar
(100-44 BC)
Roman general, politician
Extremely ambitious!
Growing power threat to
Senate, politicians
Caesar invaded Italy (50
BC), gained control
Hunted enemies down in
Greece, Africa
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The Fall of Caesar
Returned to Rome in triumph more power!
Senate granted Caesar title “dictator for life” (Feb., 44 BC)
Assassinated by 60 senators (March 15, 44 BC)
Civil war!
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Cleopatra VII
(r. 51-30 BC)
Hellenistic queen of
Egypt
Wore “two faces”
Encounters with
Romans
Met Julius Caesar
lovers
She and Antony
lovers, allies
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Rome
Civil War: Antony and
Cleopatra vs. Octavian
Octavian victorious at
Battle of Actium, Greece
(September, 31 BC)
Antony, Cleopatra
committed suicide
Octavian now master of
Roman world
Battle of Actium
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Questions?
Rome
Augustus Caesar
(r. 29 BC – AD 14)
Called “Augustus”
Task: tactfully rebuild Rome
First Roman emperor
Ruled as constitutional
monarch
Rome
Augustan Reforms
Centralized administration
Efficient government for
provinces
Crusade against immorality
Encouraged marriage
childbearing
Discouraged promiscuity,
adultery
Religion
Restored neglected cults,
priesthoods
Repaired temples
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Remains of Temple of Julius Caesar, Roman Forum
Rome
The Pax Romana and Culture
Pax romana: period of internal peace, stability,
culture, prosperity
“Golden Age” of Latin Literature
Augustus was a patron of the arts
Virgil’s Aeneid
Ovid’s Art of Love banishment!
Rome
Pont du Gard (1st cent. AD), Nîmes, France
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Garden Room, Villa Livia (Late 1st cent. BC)
Rome
Augustus Caesar
“I found Rome a city of
brick and left it a city of
marble!”
No heirs
Rule stepson Tiberius
Rome
Rome
Colosseum (AD 80)
Largest amphitheater in
Roman world
50,000+ spectators
Beneath: waiting rooms,
cages for beasts,
equipment
Mock naval battles!
Main entertainment:
gladiators
Rome
Rome
1989-1996
Rome
Roman Empire (2nd cent. AD)
Rome
Third-Century
Anarchy (235-285)
Assassinations, civil
wars many
emperors
Continued frontier war
empire stretched too
thin
Other disasters
Capture of Valerian (r. 253-260) by Persians
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Diocletian (r. 284-305)
Ended crisis
Reforms: tetrarchy,
increased size of
military
Emperor now absolute
monarch, lord
Reforms 200 more
years for Roman Empire
Rome
Questions?
Rome
Similarities to other ancient civilizations?
What made it unique?
Pros and cons of republic vs. empire?
Where do we see traces of it in modern
West?
Primary Source
Augustus’s Acts of the Divine Augustus
What kind of a source?
When was it written, and where did it end up?
What did Augustus recount about his career as it
related to money, religion, domestic affairs,
international relations, etc.?
What titles did he receive?
How did he present himself in relation to the
Senate?
What view of Augustus comes through here?
Primary Source
Decree Issued by Emperor Augustus (4 BC)
What kind of source?
What was the situation?
How might we interpret Augustus’s relationship
with the Senate based on this document?
Primary Source
Horace’s Ode to Augustus
Who was Horace?
What kind of source?
What view of Augustus comes through here?
Primary Source
Suetonius’s Life of Augustus
Who was Suetonius?
What kind of source?
According to this source, how might we describe
the relationship between Augustus and the
Senate and people?
What title did Augustus receive here?
What view of Augustus comes through here?
Primary Source
Inscription from the City of Narbonne (AD 11)
What kind of source?
What is Augustus called here?
What does this reveal about perceptions of
Augustus?
Primary Source
Tacitus’s Annals
Who was Tacitus?
What kind of source?
How view of Augustus comes through here?
How does this contrast with the other sources?
Primary Source
Dio Cassius’s Roman History
Who was Dio Cassius?
What kind of source?
What view of Augustus (and subsequent
emperors) comes through here?
How does this contrast with the other sources?
Primary Source
Augustus of Primaporta (ca. 20 BC)
Primary Source