Roman Civilization Chap 4

1. Roman Civilization; Chap 4 Covers 1200 years Monarchy (753-510 B.C.E - 8th - 6th) Republic (509 - 31 B.C.E - 6th- 1st) Empire (31 B.C.E - C. E. 476 1st - 5th) City founded in 8th cent B.C.E - corresponds to the time of Greek colonization when Greeks were setting up colonies in southern Italy and Sicily

3. Etruscans Ruled for one century Also from central Italy, but north of Rome Lived in the region between the Tiber river in the South and the Po valley in the North Origins of Etruscans unclear Perhaps migrated from western Asia - Asia Minor, place called Lydia or more developed form of earlier Italian culture

4. Tuscany named after them - area surrounding the modern city of Florence Other major cities Cerveteri, Tarquina

5. Ertuscan contributions Making Italy come in contact with the larger world through trade earlier Italy just a group of farmers living in villages, tribal chiefs Etruscan commercial contacts over much of western Mediterranean Much of Roman pride and legacy - such as engineering skills contributed by Etruscans

6. Etruscan Engineering Drained a large marshy area previously uninhabitable that became the community�s center and later the Roman Forum Began road constructions that later led to saying �All roads lead to Rome� Built many shrines and temples, much of which is lost, but reconstructions of these in major museums in Italy.

7. Fall of the Etruscans Rise of Rome signaled collapse of Etruscans After Rome had learned all it could from the Etruscans, conquered their territory, & absorbed them into their culture However, Rome gave them automatic citizenship in first century B.C.E

8. Other Etruscan contributions considered Roman engineering and technological skills that enabled Romans to build bridges and aqueducts for which they are so famous toga public sports like chariot racing

9. Etruscan & Greek Similarities & Differences Great collectors of Greek vases Pottery skills learned from Greeks who inhabited Southern Italy Temples like Greek Doric temples - but Etruscans regularly divided their cella( inner room for cult statues) into 3 areas unlike the single cella in Greek temples

10.  Etruscan temples more frontally oriented Temple on raised podium or masonry platformonly one small stairway allowing visitors to the deep porch Etruscan women enjoyed unprecedented freedom - shown in art driving chariots, ran businesses and inherited money

11. Etruscan women In Greek society only men attended banquets, in Roman society women�s identity came from the paterfamilias, or father of the family; Etruscans far ahead of both Greek and typical Roman ideas of womanhood

12. Etruscan Sculpture Surviving Etruscan sculptor mainly of terra- cotta (baked clay), some painted ranging from urns to sarcophagi for cremated remains Two famous terra-cotta couple - one from Cerveteri of couple reclining on a banquet couch shows great public ease and rapport between couple- considered unthinkable in Greek times

13. The other of the old couple on sarcophagus lid of funerary urn containing ashes of couple - couple is old, faces have lines and wrinkles worried look revealing fall of their dominance (Voitema) Realism of Etruscan adopted by Romans - see Porcia and Cato of first century Roman couple made of marble

14. Characteristics of Etruscan Art Has elemental force/ primitive spirit but highly sophisticated craftsmanship & technique Unlike Greeks less interested in intellectual problems of proportion or understanding of the workings of the human body, more interested in producing an immediate impact on viewer

15. Apollo of Veii Fig 4.3 p.130 Found in 1916 - unquestionably related to Greek models from the roof of the Portonaccio Temple -early 6th century B.C.E - painted terra-cotta ht 5�11�� in Museo Nazionale di Villa Giula, Rome

16. Figure striding energetically , body clearly visible under drapery lyre, symbol of music, between figure�s legs -Apollo�s role as as god of music tension of the God�s pose and sinister quality of smile produce an effect of great power in typical Etruscan way

17. Tomb of Hunting & Fishing �Tarquinia (p. 131 fig14.4) Early 6th century B.C.E Fresco of of men, fish and birds Relaxed, showing love of nature conveys marvelous sense of light and air, hazy blue background evoking sensations of sea and spray

18. Republic (509-31 B.C.E) Governed in similar manner Greek city-states, but less democratic. 2 chief magistrates elected for one year term by all male citizens Principle assembly (senate) from aristocratic class. (patricians) Lower classes (plebeians) had their own assembly � tribunes

19. Republic Tribunes � protected lower class from unjust state officials Meeting place of Senate and Tribunes in the Forum � bottom of Palatine and Capitoline hill (p.132 � fig 4.6) Entire history of Republic which ends in civil war and murder of Caesar � fraught with desire for political equality

20. Republic But this search for equality never jeopardized the republic or Rome�s domination in the Italian peninsula, because both sides showed great restraint and flexibility � it was the rapid growth of the Republic without preparations or laws to administer such a large area and population that led to civil war and violence

21. Republic Hortensian Law(237 B.C.E) gives plebeians victory � tribune�s decision made binding on Senate and all people of Rome

22. Republican Rome First target of aggression Carthaginians of Northern Africa, City founded by Phoenicians (800 B.C.E) Defeat of Carthage (called the Punic Wars because Romans called the Phoenicians Poeni) 3rd century Spain and Sicily defeated First century B.C. E Hellenistic world from Spain to the Middle East under Roman rule

23. Long series of wars hardens the Romans Become insensitive and unnecessarily brutal towards conquered people Political unrest at home between patricians and plebeians New group of people the middle class (equites) rise to power � many formerly plebeians who had made their fortune in war

24. Revolt. Social war of 90-88. Rome victorious but cost in lives and economic stability tremendous Leading statesmen fight for power. Popular leader Marius rules, but soon replaced by aristocratic general Sulla, rules for short violent period as dictator but soon resigns

25. Pompey and Caesar Pompey �self appointed protector of Senate Julius Caesar forced to exile in Gaul (France) Comes back to defeat Pompey at Battle of Pharsalus but is assassinated in 44 B.C.E � marks Republic�s end Cicero sided with Pompey, but although Caesar forgave him, Cicero never trusted Caesar

26. Literature of Republic Romans put energy into military and political affairs, little time for the arts, follow Greek models, little innovation, yet Ennius (239-169) Father of Roman poetry Wrote Annals (epic chronicle of the history of Rome)

27. Comic playwrights Greek comedy mainly satires, Roman comedy focus on human foibles turned into pure comedy Plautus (254-184) - boisterous Terence(185-159)-more refined, characters more real Both popular at different times, loved elaborate plots involving mistaken identities and general confusion

28. Lyric poet Catallus (80-54 B.C.E) � best loved Roman author Rejects historical theme to return to personal theme made popular by Sappho Writes about love affair with woman called Lesbia 25 short poems describing course of relationship from ecstasy in the earlier stages to despair and disillusionment of final break up Not just personal outpourings of emotions. � universalizes the experience

29. Other literature Julius Caesar (100 -44) Commentaries - history of his own military campaigns in simple gripping style Brilliant politician, skilled general, expert administer and organizer. During the four years he ruled, he did much to repair damage of previous years of civil war � murder by band of republicans, prolongs agony for 13 more years

30. Marcus Tullius Cicero(106-43) Made reputation as a lawyer, appointed counsel � puts down plot against govt with firm hand and sent into exile by opposing faction 900 letters written by him were published Letters reveal his weakness and strengths Weakness � vanity, inability to make decision, stubbornness Strength � humanity and sensitivity Remember him as great orator

31. Roman Philosophy & Law Practical nature made them suspicious of philosophers, produced little original philosophy (Roman traditional values were of simplicity and seriousness), relied on 2 Greek philosophical schools � Epicureanism and Stoicism Poet Lucretius (99-55 B.C.E) brilliantly describes Epicurean doctrines in poem On The Nature of Things (De Rerum Natura). Brilliant mix of poetry and philosophy

32. Epicurean philosophy Developed by Epicurus (341- 271 B.C.E) Goal of all human action is pleasure But stresses moderation and prudence in the pursuit of pleasure Romans saw this as Greek debauchery and love of self-indulgence Lucretius tried to correct this view by emphasizing the rational component of this philosophy

33. Epicurean philosophy Rationale behind this philosophy � Gods if they exist do not play any part in human affairs or nature, therefore we can live our lives free of superstition and divine retribution Epicurean theory of matter explains world purely in physical terms; world composed of small participles and empty space

34. Con�t Bad things like plagues and earthquakes completely random and hence beyond our control, so no point worrying over it Nothing immortal about us so we should have no fear of death or fear punishment in an afterlife Death is complete ending of all sensations Best life is one pleasure in moderation and calm

35. Stoicism Governed by law, but Divine Providence watched over the virtuous, protecting them from evil Virtue lay in desiring only that which was under one�s control Riches, wealth, health all depended on the whims of fortune, hence not something to be pursued because they did not come under one�s control Cicero expounded on Stoicism some, but chief Roman expounders were Seneca and Epictetus

36. Stoicism Seneca, Nero�s teacher was ordered to commit suicide by Nero, for this was within one�s control Epictetus (C.A. 50-154) former slave who established this school of philosophy first in Rome and then in Greece. His handbook (Enchiridion) advocated absolute trust in Divine Providence to be maintained thru all misfortunes

37. Stoicism Marcus Aurelius (A.D. 121-180) Meditations � his attempt to live the stoic life However, in the first century the superstition that both philosophies � Epicureanism and Stoicism tried to combat remained entrenched in the Roman mind � rituals such the study of animal entrails remained

38. Roman Law Lasting Roman legacy is the single unified code of law called the Ius Civile � this science of law is one of the original pieces of literature created by the Romans Earliest legal code was that of the Republic Law of the 12 Tablets (451-450 B.C.E) By the time of Julius Caesar , most of these had become irrelevant and a mass of new legislation was produced that was confusing and contradictory

39. Roman Law A.D. 533 collected, edited and published by Byzantine emperor Justinian (527-565) into the Corpus Iurius Civilis This remained in use in many parts of Europe and profoundly influenced modern legal system According to the great Roman lawyer Ulipian (2nd cent A.D.) �Law is the art of the Good and the Fair�

40. Roman Law Followed Ulipian�s idea for centuries building their empire consisting of widely differing types of people Therefore very international in their legal system Basically applied Roman law to local scenarios , changing and developing and amending those laws in the process

41. Roman Law Legal experts in high demand State encouraged public service Best minds of the time engaged in home and provincial govt laws Augustus gave some these lawyers the right to issue �authoritative opinions� Hadrin formed a judicial council to guide him in matters of Law

42. Roman Law Romans preoccupied with equating human law with Nature and developing an objective system of natural justice. Thus, over centuries the Romans built up a body of legal opinions that were comprehensive, concerned with absolute and eternal values and valid for all times and places � equality for all

43. Roman Architecture Architecture used to express authority e.g. huge sanctuary constructed by Sulla at Praeneste; Julius Caesar cleared a large area in the center of Rome for forum which were later taken over by more magnificent buildings � followed Greek and Hellenistic patterns

44. Roman Art Roman portraits show psychological realism- this reflects back on the Etruscan realism instead of the Greek idealism � but together show Roman combination and amplification all their own style This new style was also used for propaganda purposes

45. Imperial Rome (31B.C-476 A.D.) Caesar's assassination brings temporary peace. Mark Antony (Caesar's lieutenant) and Caesar's nephew Octavian/vius who later became Augustus take revenge for Caesar's murder, but Antony�s involvement with Cleopatra becomes his undoing � at Battle of Actium the joint forces of Caesar and Cleopatra defeated and both commit suicide

46. Augustus Octavian�s victory at Actium ushers in the 2nd great period of Roman history which lasts until 5th centruy A.D. when the last Emperor of Rome is overthrown Augustus said he replaced the state in the hands of the Senate and Roman people but what he did was create a dynasty Fighters, engineers, postal workers, govt workers

47. Augustan literature Virgil wrote pastoral poems called Eclogues and Bucolics ( about the joys and sorrows of country life) Georgics( practical guide to farming) Augustus supported writers and artists Their themes echo chief themes of Augustan politics � return to peace, importance of land and agriculture, putting aside ostentation and logic for the simple life, and above all Rome�s destiny as world ruler

48. Aenied best work 12 books; Virgil: about Trojan prince Aeneas flees burring Troy to found empire in Italy ; profound study of human dignity and personal responsibility Theme of fresh beginning jives with Augustus Aeneas washed ashore in Carthage, taken in by Queen Dido, they fall in love but he abandons her when reminded by Mercury about his destiny and she commits suicide Aeneas has to sublimate his own personal desires for a common good Virgil asks: if greatness can only be acquired by sacrificing human individuals is it worth it? Life is tragic and humans destined to suffer

49. Other writers of Imperial Rome Horace Ovid - Metamorphoses Juvenal � satirist Tacitus � historian Roman Religion organized by state but during the time of the late republic some Romans seek personal religion and find satisfaction in eastern deities; during the last stages of the empire, the Phrygian goddess Cebele, Egyptian Isis, and sun god Mithras have cult followings

50. Augustan Sculpture Ara Pacis (Altar of Peace) �expands the Aeneas journey and myth ; Aeneas performs sacrifice in front of shrine brought from Troy. But more significant is the depiction of the abundance of nature that could flourish in the peace brought by Augustus has fruits and flowers motifs and dedication ceremony conducted by Augustus and his family, Romus and Romulus

51. Sculpture Augustus of Prima Porta (p.142) so named after the imperial villa/ place of excavation Dates probably from the time of his death Face is full of vigor, calm determined, stance of quiet authority, unlike his decrepit state described by historians Ornately carved breast plate recalls one of the chief events of Augustus victory over Parthians from whom he recaptured the Roman standard that had been lost in an earlier battle Cupid on dolphin in sculpture : dolphin symbol of goddess Venus, it connects Augustus and his family to Aeneas (whose mother was Venus)

52. Roman Imperial Architecture Etruscan arch used widely Invention of concrete in 1st century Pantheon(126A.D.) built during Hadrian�s reign � designed by Hadrian himself � has an austere and majestic exterior portico supported by granite columns with Corinthian capitals, leads to a central rotunda, an astonishing construction where a huge concrete dome sits on a wall interrupted by a series of niches. The building�s only light source is a huge eye at the top of the dome � exact and balanced height from ground is equal to its width. See figs Unlike the Republican forum built for public meetings, the imperial fora were constructed as monuments to the emperors or who commissioned them

53. Fall of Empire Empire continues to expand until rule of Hadrian, but when Emperor Constantine moves capital from Rome to Constantinople (modern Istanbul in Turkey) the empire falls to Goths, Germans etc in the West. But move creates the BYZANTINE EMPIRE IN THE East which flourishes until the middle of the 15th century