Western Civilization Midterm Essay

Theocracy

A type of government where relgious leaders rule in name of a God, and religous laws used to govern the people

Theocracy - Politcal

State and religion are not separate - the government enforces divine laws instead of man-made ones

Theocracy - religious

The idea that God is the ultimate ruler, and leaders serve as representatives of the divine on earth. People obey the government as part of their religious duty 

Ancient Egypt Theocracy example 

Pharaohs are seen as descendants of Gods, over sees maat (right order in the universe, good morals and ethics) 
-would make claims all other Gods were imagination 
-fought with priests over power, upset about the emphasis of magic in religion 

Mesopotamia Theorcracy Example

Kings of Sumer and Babylon claimed their power came from the Gods.
-Hammurabi said he received his laws from the sun God Shamash. Showing politcal authority comes from dive will
Code of Hammurabi: mixed relgious belief with law

What did Octavian do?

Defeated Mark Anthony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium, Octavian became ruler of Rome. He ended decades of civil war and brought peace. Pax Romana.

Octavian's new government (Prinicipte)

Created a new politcal system, didn’t declare himself a king like the Romans hated. Kept the appearance of old Roman Republic. Octavian held key powers contol of army, provinces, and right to make laws 

Octavian Government and moral reforms

Government - reorganized providences, keeping most dangerous under his control, created professional civil service and standing army loyal to him.
Moral - promoted traditions Roman values, rebuilt temples and emphasized loyalty to Rome and emperor

How well does octavian empire last?

new system of government, the principate, kept peace and stability in Rome for decades
-Emperors who followed like Tiberius, Claudius all ruled using framework Octavian built

Why did Octavian government work?

-Claimed to respect senate and the republic even though emperor held power 
-Worked because army stayed loyal to the emperor, preventing rebellion. Some emperors (caligula and Nero) abused power but system survived