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Background to the Julio-Claudians

Background to the Julio-Claudians. The Julio-Claudians and the Roman Empire AD14 - 69. Background information on the Roman Empire.

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Background to the Julio-Claudians

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  1. Background to the Julio-Claudians The Julio-Claudians and the Roman Empire AD14 - 69

  2. Background information on the Roman Empire • The growth of Rome - from a small agricultural village on the Tiber River, struggling to maintain itself against its neighbours, to a world power dominating the whole Mediterranean basin was not the result of only one factor. • Factors included: • Its central location in the heart of Italy and subsequently the Mediterranean. • Influence of the Etruscans – as road builders, town planners and traders • Strong military leadership developed over years. • Visions and motives of men such as the Gracchi, Sulla and Marius and ultimately Julius Caesar.

  3. Structure of Roman society POPULUS ROMANUS (Roman People – Citizens) Sharp distinction into two classes or orders PATRICIANS (Patres – Father) Large landowners of noble birth who had a privileged position within the state; can trace their ancestry back to the original clans. PLEBEIANS (Plebs – multitude) The body of Roman citizens apart from the privileged patricians – small farmers, traders, craftsmen and labourers. Excluded from political, legal, economic and religious rights

  4. Patron-Client Relationship The grievances and denial of basic rights of the plebeians saw the two classes in opposition over the years of the Roman Republic. One way of “getting around” this dilemma was the use of the patron-client relationship. In the early years of Rome, the heads of the patrician families agreed to protect a number of poorer citizens in return for assistance in their public and private lives. This became a hereditary relationship. This patron-client relationship was one of the most important and long-lasting features of Roman society, and was of considerable influence in politics. Later the relationship extended to include freed slaves and eventually patrons of large groups of foreign peoples.

  5. Features of the Patron-Client Relationship PATRON • Duties (officia) • To follow the patron to war • To vote for the patron in elections and support his view in the assembly • Give respectful attention to the patron • Support the patron in certain economic matters. • Benefits (Beneficia) • Received land to farm • Received legal help and protection in the courts • Received food rations, occasionally payment in cash) CLIENT Patron and client could not give evidence against one another

  6. Political development of Rome • Initially a monarchy, which was overthrown in 509BC. • From this time until the time of Julius Caesar, Rome had a strong republican government known as the Senatus PopulusqueRomanus (SPQR) or the Senate and the People of Rome. This consisted of : • two consuls (patrician magistrates), • a senate (of nobles) • The comitia curiata– the people’s assembly. • This continued to exist during the years of Julius Caesar and his predecessor, Octavian but its power was substantially reduced. Fear of mob brutality by returning to a monarchy effectively stopped both of these men from taking the title of King but in many ways they acted as such.

  7. How to get into Roman Politics A magistrate was an elected government official, occupying a position of power and prestige. Before starting a career in politics it was expected that he had spent at least 10 years in a military position. The various positions of Roman government were referred to as the cursushonorum(ladder of offices), and every aspiring leader was expected to progress up the ladder in the usual manner to ensure that he had the necessary military and political qualifications. In addition to this ladder, was the added complication of being from the “right” family as well as the necessary funds to host festivals and other occassions.

  8. The CursusHonorum DICTATOR Elected in time of crisis for 6 months only. Consul 42 years of age Held for 1 year Commanded the army; conducted elections; presided over senate meetings; implement senate decisions. IMPERIUM POWER Praetor 39 years of age Held for 1 year Legal matters and supreme judge; sometimes commanded the army IMPERIUM POWER Aedile No age requirement set Held for 1 year Responsible for infrastructure Quaestor 30 years of age Held for 1 year Financial and administrative roles

  9. The years prior to the Julio-Claudians During the years of Julius Caesar it became clear that the true power of Rome no longer laid with the old families of Rome and the Senate. He had challenged the old order of the Republic and set the tone for a new style of leadership – the Principate. While Caesar was greatly loved by his troops and the people of Rome, he had made many enemies among the ranks of the old nobility. This was to be his downfall. However, he left behind a legacy to his adopted son Octavian – the loyalty of his troops and the power of that force to strike a cruel and cunning blow to the power of the senate.

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