Western Heritage: Rome

What values was Rome founded on, and what did that mean for them?

Familial values, which meant the chastity of the women

Novis Homo

“A new man”— a man who did not come from a family of nobiles but became consul and brought his family into the noble class

What do the terms “patronus” and “cliens” mean, and what are their relation to each other?

“patronus"- patron, “cliens”-client.

A patron was a man of importance who did favors, or “beneficia” for his client. In return, “officia” was expected from the cliens, meaning political favors, i.e., voting the way his patronus wanted him to.

What must one have to fight in the Roman army in the early days of the republic? why?

A soldier had to be a landowner, because he held a personal stake in the war, affecting how he would fight.

What is Imperium?

A collection of powers exercised by an Imperator

what is an Imperator?

a general or commander in the Roman army

what was the Cursus Honorum and what were the positions it was composed of?

Literally; “the course of honors.” the social ladder that a Roman man had to climb in order to achive higher positions in government. 

The order of positions was: Quaestor, Aedile, Praetor, Consul, and Censor

What position existed in the Roman Republic that wasn’t an official part of the Cursus Honorum but still held power?

The Tribune of the Plebs; only available to a member of the plebian class, with the duty to bring to attention the interests of the plebians and defend their rights

What is the “Princeps Senatus?”

The princeps senatus literally means “the first man of the senate.” Holding this position gave one the power to speak his opinion first at senate meetings.

In what case would a dictator be appointed? Describe the details of the role.

A dictator would be appointed by the Senate in cases of emergency, such as a long war. The disctaor would serve no longer than 6 months, and at the end of his reign he would be tried to determine whether or not he succeeded in his mission to the republic. The dictatorship was an opportunity for a man to channel his ambition for the benefit of the republic.

What is auctoritas?

moral authority

Under what precept did Augustus take over

Restoring the Republic

What is Patria Potestas?

The power of the father, who was allowed to execute any of his children at any time, except for a married daughter because she was no longer his.

what are Nobiles?

Families in Rome that held or had held positions of power (consulship, etc.)

What is the main difference between the Patricians and the Plebs?

The Patricians could trace their heritage back to Romulus

what is Amicitia?

Friendship, acquaintanceship

What is societas?

alliance

what did it mean for something to be “good” in the roman republic?

in line with the mos maiores (the ways/ morals of the ancestors)

What are some consequences of a powerful empire?

Power leads to decadence, and a lowering of one’s guard that makes an empire more vulnerable 

Why did tradition in Rome have auctoritas?

Because it has stood the test of time, gone through trial and error, and thus gained a wisdom

what is “in novae res?”

literally: “in new things.” = revolution!

Early Rome was a ____ colony

Etruscan

who were the Asidui?

“settled men”: men who own land. As Rome increased, these men no longer wanted to serve in the army because of the financial ruin that would accompany it, so the Roman army began to fill with proletarii and capote censi

What was the main thing Augustus did to keep up the illusion of the Republic?

He allowed the Senate to meet and the consuls to continue to hold office. However, these offices were only a facade and held no real power.

What is Tribunicia Potestas?

The power of the Tribune, namely the ability to call an assembly

What is the Consulare Potestas?

The powers of the consul, including the ability to bring in troops.

Who was Marcus Agrippa, and when did he live?

Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa was made general of the Roman forces after Augustus, his childhood friend, rose to power. He was born in 63 BC and died in 12 BC. 

Who was Augustus Caesar, and when did he live?

Augustus, formerly known as Octavian, was the adopted son of Julius Caesar. He rose to power after Caesar’s assassination, and officially ended the republic. He was born in 63 BC, and reigned from 27 BC to his death in 14 AD. The first Roman Emperor.

Who was Tiberius, and when did he live?

Tiberius was the second Roman Emperor. He was born in 42 BC and ruled from 14 AD until his death in 37 AD. He spent most of his reign away from Rome, on the island of Capri. He was a step-son of Augustus.

Who was Caligula and when did he live?

The third emperor of Rome, the son of Germanicus and Agrippina Maior (granddaughter of Augustus.) He was born in 12 AD and ruled from 37 AD until 41 AD, when he was assassinated. 

Who was Claudius and when did he live?

The fourth emperor of Rome, the uncle of Caligula. He suffered from an illness that was likely epilepsy, and made him an embarrassment to the family. When his nephew Caligula was assassinated, he was found hiding behind a curtain and was hailed emperor. Though he ruled well, his illness caused insecurities, which made him easier to manipulate. He was born in 10 BC and ruled from 41 AD until his death in 54 AD

Who was Nero and when did he live?

The fifth emperor of Rome, the son of Agrippina Minor. He was born in 37 AD and became emperor in 54 AD until his death in 68 AD. Upon coming into power, he had his half-brother Brittanicus killed to remove him as a threat, and throughout his reign he attempted to assassinate his mother on multiple occassions. He considered himself a great artist and musician, and his last words were (according to Suetonius c. 69-140) “what an artists is now about to perish!” In 68 AD, he was declared an enemy by the Senate, and was condemned to be punished as such. The customary punisment was for the guilty to be stripped naked and scourged with his neck fastened on on a stake. Being so terrified of such a fate, Nero instead took his own life with a dagger to his throat.