1. Mediterranean Societies
Rome
Mediterranean Societies

2. The Etruscans and Rome
Romulus and Remus- legendary twins rescued by she-wolf
Founded Rome in 753 BCE
Etruscans dominate Italy from 8th-5th centuries BCE
Rome on the Tiber River

3. Roman Republic Roman nobility deposed last Etruscan king- 509 BCE
Republican constitution- two consuls elected by assembly
Civil
Military
Patricians dominate assembly
Senate advises consuls and approves major decisions
Senate and consuls represent interests of patricians

4. Roman Republic Class conflict between patricians and plebeians
Patricians grant plebeians the right to elect tribunes- represent plebeian interests with power to intervene and veto decisions
Constitutional compromises helped ease class tensions
Civil or military crisis met by appointing a temporary dictator
Roman constitution maintains stable society

5. Roman Republic Rome consolidates position into large regional state
Expand influence throughout Mediterranean Basin
Conflict with Carthage (Punic Wars) and Hellenistic realms
Spoiler Alert: Rome wins
Rome becomes superior power in eastern and western Mediterranean

6. Expansion and Problems
Gracchi brothers support land redistribution- both assassinated
Military commanders recruit rural and urban poor- very loyal armies
Gaius Marius- advocated land redistribution
Conservative aristocratic class supports general Lucius Cornelius Sulla
Civil War
Slaughter/executions
Property seized
Poor classes weakened, wealthy strengthened

7. The Roman Empire
Julius Caesar- popular social reformer and conqueror (conquest of Gaul)
Seized Rome in 49 BCE
DFL- “Dictator for Life” 46 BCE
Social reforms and centralized control
Assassinated in 44 BCE #DFLfail
Civil conflict

8. The Roman Empire Octavian (DFL’s nephew) ends civil unrest
Senate gives him new name, Augustus- 27 BCE
Monarchy disguised as republic
Created new standing army
Imperial institutions take root
Dies 14 CE
Rome expands into Mediterranean basin, western Europe, down Nile to Kush
Pax romana- Roman Peace, for 25o years
Roman roads-> postal system
Roman law- Twelve Tables (450 BCE)

9. The Roman Economy
Latifundia- large land estates or ranches typically worked by slaves
Owners focus on specialized production for export
Mediterranean trade
Sea lanes link ports around Mediterranean
Roman navy keeps sea free of pirates
Communication and exchange

10. The Roman Economy City of Rome Wealth fuels urban development
Statues, pools, fountains, arches, temples, stadiums reflect Roman affluence
First use on concrete for construction
Attracted immigrants
Baths, pools, gymnasiums, circuses, stadiums, amphitheaters

11. Roman Society Family Wealth and social change
Pater familias- eldest male rules family
Women have considerable influence- supervise family business and wealthy estates
Wealth and social change
Newly rich classes build lavish houses
Cultivators and urban subsist
Poor classes riot for change
Subsidized grain and public entertainment

12. Roman Society Slavery 1/3 of population Spartacus’s uprising in 73 BCE
Urban slaves saw better conditions than country slaves
Domestic or commercial work
Possibility of being freed

13. Religions of Rome Greek philosophy and religions of salvation
Roman deities: gods, goddesses, household gods
Stoicism- universal moral standards based on nature and reason that transcend local ethical codes
Virtue through knowledge
Appealed to Roman intellectuals (Cicero)
Salvation and afterlife gives sense of purpose
Roman roads facilitate spreading religious ideas

14. Religions of Rome
Mithraism- associated with military virtues of strength, courage, and discipline
Appealed to military
Purposeful moral behavior
Men only
Cult of Isis
Men and women
Most popular before Christianity
Gods and Godesses nurture and help people

15. Religions of Rome Judaism and Christianity
Monotheistic Jews see state cults as blasphemy
Essenes- sect of Judaism, Dead Sea Scrolls
Community and strict moral code
Seek salvation from Roman rule
Jesus of Nazareth
Charismatic Jewish teacher
Devotion to God and love from human beings
Attracted large crowds- miracles and oration
“The kingdom of God is at hand”- alarms Romans
Crucified in early 30s CE
“Christ” the anointed one

16. Religions of Rome Judaism and Christianity
New Testament and Old Testament becomes holy book of Christianity
Paul of Tarsus- principle figure in spreading Christianity
Rapid growth of Christianity
Strong appeal to lower classes, urban population, and women
Most influential faith in Mediterranean by 200s CE