Chapter Six – Rome: The Rise to Empire
I. Introduction
A. Eurasian Landmass – 4th Century B.C.E.
1. Rome
2. Han China
B. Both – Political Stabilitly, Cultural Unity, Vast Landmasses
1. empires
2. secular aproach
3. self-consciously preserved heritage and transmitted to future generations
II. The Roman Rise to Empire
A. Rome’s Early History
1. Latins, Italian peninsula, 1,000 B.C.E.
2. lower valley of the Tiber River access to Mediterranean Sea
3. Etruscans, Greeks, Phoenicians
4. heritage of the Etruscans
B. The Roman Republic (509 –133 BCE)
1. res publica
2. imperium – civic and military authority, consuls [elected magis]
3. patricians – wealthy landowners and lawmakers
4. plebians – small farmers, increasing political influence
a. served as citizen soldiers in the Roman army
b. power to veto laws, privilege to make laws
5. obedience to Roman state and service
6. long wars of conquest: Etruscans expelled; Carthage
7. mare nostrum
8. Iberian peninsual, Greece, Egypt, North Africa, SW Asia
9. Romanizing of foreigners through service, citizenship
10. destruction of Jerusalem (70 C.E.)
11. perfection of the military discipline; dedication to duty
Josephus’ Description of the Roman Army
C. The Collapse of the Republic (133-30 BCE)
1. Roman entrepreneurs (equestrians) – provincial administrators
2. beginning of corruption, bringing back of booty, precious metal
3. latifundia
4. miitary dictators: Julius Caesar
D. The Roman Empire (30 B.C.E. – 180 C.E.)
1. the Battle of Actium: Octavian, Cleopatra, Mark Antony
2. Octavian becomes Augustus Caesar
3. Aeneas connection [Troy to Rome]
4. Pax Romana
5. roads, bridges, postal service, monetary reforms, building, literary and artistic productivity, rise of Christianity
1. Twelve Tables of Law (jus = justice)
2. praetors – magistrates, jurisconsults – experts in law
3. jus civile -- law of the land , jus gentium – law of the people, jus naturale – law of nature = Justinian Law Codes
4. precedents of law