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Roman Society: Social Values & Political Transitions

Explore the fundamental values of Roman society, from the Pater Familias to Authority and Civitas. Learn about political transitions from monarchy to empire and the period of decline before the fall. Find parallels with modern societies and historical lessons. Understand the importance of patronage, sobriety, and the individual's role in maintaining the decorum of Rome.

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Roman Society: Social Values & Political Transitions

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  1. Roman Society

  2. What are the most prized social values among Americans? Give examples of individuals who represent the characteristics.

  3. Fundamental Values • Pater familias • Lead male in family – not necessarily a father • Had extensive legal rights regarding family – could kill without penalty • Was charged with maintaining the corporate identity of the family • Could adopt outsiders • Arranged marriages for members of family

  4. Political Transitions • From a monarchy to a classicalrepublic to an increasingly autocraticempire. • Similar to which Empire? • Greece: approx. 750Bc to 146BC (Romans Conquer Greece) • Rome: Roman Republic: grew unstable until Caesar takes over 45 BC • Augustus (grandnephew) takes power 27BC • Established basis for the Roman Empire

  5. Pol transitions cont.. • From Octavian (Augustus) for 200 years—to M. Aurelius= strong, peaceful and prosperous (until 180 CE height) • Emperors also moved North: France, Southern Brit and Germ. • ‘A Major, though tenuous extension of med. Civilization into W. Europe’ • See map 4.3 p. 74

  6. Period of Decline • From 180 CE • Empire suffered a decisive fall for 250 years • Invaded peoples from North overran in 476 CE. • Lessons from History?/sport parallell Period of greatest strength is closest to decline (Current E.g?)

  7. Decline Cont… • Decline manifested… • Economic deterioration; pop. Loss. Lower trade and birth rate • Emp. Gen. less effective in this period • Exception: Constantine: adopted Ch. –unite Empire anew. • However, in W. Empire most gov=local, imperial authority broke down

  8. Death knells • Roman Army: dep increasingly on local recruits. Problem? • Invasion of people from the North: film ‘the centurion’ • Eventually, Romans could no longer defend themselves • Similarity with Gupta, Han China.

  9. Exception Byzantine Byzantine: cont of Eastern Roman Emp • In 285, the emperorDiocletian (r. 284–305) partitioned the Roman Empire's administration into eastern and western halves. Between 324 and 330, Constantine I (r. 306–337) transferred the main capital from Rome to Byzantium, later known as Constantinople ("City of Constantine").

  10. Early Rome Timeline

  11. Roman and Greek Timeline

  12. Marriage mosaic: newlyweds from Naples

  13. Fundamental Values • Patronage • Mutually beneficial arrangement between inferior (usually talented or beautiful but poor) and superior (rich) • In exchange for flattery and public appearances, got financial help • Except emperor, slaves, and foreigners, every male had a patron and was a patron • Some people’s sole occupation was collecting money from patron and distributing it

  14. Fundamental Values • Authority (auctoritas) • Strong belief in the value of the state • Individuals must contribute to maintaining decorum (order) • Authority had duty to administer but must be obeyed • Not a society of debating, scrappy individuals like the Greeks (exc. Spartans)

  15. Fundamental Values • Sobriety and Poise “Gravitas” • Maintained a subdued, unemotional, and poised persona • Always on public procession conscious of how things appeared to others • Would not be caught quibbling over petty things – esp. publicly • Bearing had effect on treatment: good posture, eye contact, clear speaking voice important • Sophisticated and urbane image

  16. Civitas • Individuals not as important as Rome • Ideal of sober self-sacrifice for Rome very important to the establishment of the Roman state • Public servants usually had genuine desire to make Rome great • Sense of being part of an historical movement very powerful

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