Ancient Medieval and Mediterranean: Quiz 2.2

Who was Virgil?

A Roman poet who wrote the Aeneid, lived at the same time as Augustus, wrote the poem to rival the Odyssey and Iliad

What were the political circumstances of Augustus' time that inspired Virgil?

Julius Caesar triggered 20 yrs of Civil War that lead to his assassination, Augustus brought those wars to an end, connected the founding of Rome & Augustus to mythological foundations, & gave Romans a "divine right" to rule. He wrote the poem to create a sense of fresh start & new era

What was the point of connecting Augustus to the mythological figure of Aeneas? In what ways did the Aeneid directly speak to Augustus' "greatness"?

Aeneas is a model for Augustus

If doors of temple were open, Rome was at war; doors closed, Rome was at peace. Only 3 rulers closed these doors (Augustus included)

How is the Aeniad slightly critical of Aeneas?

Aeneas (by extension, Augustus) was a reluctant hero & didn't always live up to being a good leader. Heroes aren't perfect in Greek mythology

In what ways does Anchises' (Aeneas' father) vision of the future justify the expansion of Roman power, particularly the conquest of Greece?

Divine order to bring order, peace, and law to the world; Greeks destroyed Troy for vengeance, says Rome is meant to be the sole, strongest power

What was the "duty" of the Romans?

Govern, establish peace, rule nations with justice, defeat those who resist Roman rule, & use military and political to create and maintain an empire

In what ways do the characters of Evander and Diomedes symbolize the role of the conquered Greeks under Roman rule? Give one example for each of them.

Symbolize the two distinct models of the conquered or assimilated Greek world under Roman hegemony: Evander represents the assimilated, civilizing, and cooperative Greek culture that laid the foundational roots of Roman identity, while Diomedes represents the disillusioned, resistant, or withdrawn Greek power that accepts Roman/Trojan destiny and refuses to reignite futile conflicts

In what ways does the Aeneid show Greek culture influencing Roman culture?

By using Greek literary models to elevate Rome's heritage, mapping Greek gods onto Roman mythology, and placing Roman virtues in direct dialogue with Homeric heroism

When did the Roman Kingdom exist?

753-509 BCE

When did the Roman Republic exist?

509-27 BCE

When did Augustus reign?

27 BCE-14 CE

Who founded Rome?

Romulus and Remus, Romulus became first king

Who were the Etruscans?

Dominated much of Italy and strongly influenced early Roman development; several Roman kings were Etruscan, introduced paved streets, defensive walls, temples, and public buildings

What were Rome's geographic advantages?

Located along the Tiber River which provided access to Mediterranean trade and protected the city from costal invasions, trade routes throughout Italy converged at Rome

Why did Etruscan power start to decline?

Outside attacks putting Rome in a position to become a major power --> Roman nobles overthrew the last Etruscan king and established an aristocratic republic

What did the republican govt consist of?

Consuls, Senate, and Plebeians

What was the conflict between patricians and plebeians?

Plebeians demanded greater political representation and threatened to separate from Rome. Eventually gained the right to elect tribunes, and were later able to participate politically and in most govt offices

What were the Twelve Tables?

Rome's first written laws to establish a foundation for Roman law

How were conquered peoples treated?

Often allowed local self-govt, trade privileges, and opportunities for Roman citizenship

What were the Punic Wars?

3 wars between Rome and Carthage, a wealthy trading power in North Africa, over control of western Mediterranean. Was centered partly on Sicily → important grain producing region. Second Punic War → Carthaginian general Hannibal invaded Italy and threatened Rome,

Rome defeated Carthage, destroyed the city, and enslaved many survivors

What were the consequences of the Punic Wars?

Rome became dominant power in western Mediterranean

Gained territories in North Africa and Iberia with valuable resources, used wealth from conquest to finance further expansion into eastern Mediterranean → defeated Hellenistic powers and became the region's leading power

What was the tension with land acquisition from imperial expansion?

Wealthy elites acquired large amounts of conquered land and established plantations called latifundia which were often worked by enslaved laborers. Small farmers struggled to compete and often lost their land → increased urban poverty

Who were the Gracchi Brothers?

Tiberius and Gaius. They tried to get land redistributed to poorer citizens, reduce grain prices, and expand Roman citizenship to more conquered peoples. Both made efforts to serve for longer than a year as tribunes --> Senate assassinated them

What was the result of Generals recruiting landless citizens who depended on them financially and or paying for their equipment?

Soldiers became more loyal to individual generals rather than to Rome itself

Who was Marius?

Supporter of the poor, expands army by paying for soldier's equipment himself. He believed that military service should depend on someone's abilities rather than their family background or wealth

Who was Sulla?

Supporter of the rich and pays for his soldiers' equipment himself. Used violence and intimidation to eliminate poltiical enemies, held great power, and was incredibly brutual. However, he also gave citizenship to more than 10,000 formerly enslaved people and distributed land to his soldiers to secure their loyalty.

What was the competition between Marius and Sulla?

Competed to be leading general of Rome. Each invaded Rome with their armies and massacred the supporters of the other. Marius dies and Sulla is appointed dictator and restores order in favor of the rich

Who was Julius Caesar?

Gained popularity thru military victories and support for social reform. Became a dictator for life and centralized political and military authority, (~49 BCE) introduced reforms such as land redistribution, public construction, and expansion of Roman citizenship. He was assassinated by elites who feared he was becoming a tyrant, triggering more civil war

Who was Augustus?

Caesar's adopted son and nephew and defeated his rivals, held titles of imperator, princeps, and Caesar .

What was the Roman govt under Augustus?

Maintained traditional republican institutions → included Senate but concentrated real authority to himself. Reorganized military into a standing army loyal directly to the emperor, appointed loyal officials to important govt positions, centralized political and military control while maintaining the appearance of a republic --> monarchy under the illusion of a republic

What were the effects of Augustus' rule?

Ended the cycle of civil wars and restored political stability, established a centralized imperial govt that shaped Roman rule for centuries, marked the transition from the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire

What were the jobs of the Consuls?

Managed public affairs in Rome & supervised most other govt officials, called assemblies, introduced ambassadors, & brought issues before the Senate, commanded military, recruited soldiers, appointed military officers, & enforced discipline, controlled military preparations and could spend public money to support their armies

What were the jobs of the Senate?

Managed public finances → included govt spending & treasury, oversaw public construction and repairs, investigated serious crimes, settled disputes, and provided protection when necessary, mnaged foreign relations → diplomacy, negotiations, & treaties, & decided how foreign ambassadors would be received and treated

What were the jobs of the people?

Elected public officials and determined rewards and punishments, had authority to impose fines and sentence citizens to death, voted to approve or reject laws. made decisions about war and peace, approved or rejected treaties & alliances

Did Gracchus act out of personal ambition or for the genuine good of lower classes?

Gracchus used threats and intimidation to push his laws forward. He later sought reelection by encouraging plebeians to support him because he feared that wealthy opponents would gain power, and he claimed his safety depended on it. I think he genuinely wanted to help the poor but his intimidation and determination to remain in office also suggest personal political ambition.

What were Marius' motives?

By both his resentment toward the patricians and his desire to help poor citizens. Although he was wealthy, his plebeian background caused patricians to look down on him, which made him resent their influence. However, his willingness to pay for soldiers' equipment and recruit from the lowest classes suggests he genuinely wanted to create opportunities for poor citizens. His reforms also helped him gain popular support (soldiers were loyal to him) and strengthen his military position.

What were Sulla's motives?

By his desire for personal power, although protecting the interests of the wealthy was also important to him. His patrician background helps explain why he supported the rich and weakened the tribunes, who represented ordinary citizens. However, his extreme violence, elimination of political opponents, and decision to place himself above the consuls suggest his goals went beyond protecting his social class. He also created a large group of loyal supporters through citizenship and land grants, showing that maintaining his own authority was a big priority.

What are the two sides of the argument of whether or not Caesar sought to be king?

Caesar wanted to become king and was motivated by personal ambition or he did not want to become king and had the republic's best interest at heart

What is specific evidence to argue whether or not Caesar wanted to be king.

Wanted to be king --> refused to stand when the Senate honored him which suggested he viewed himself as superior, had Julius Caesar defied making him seen as the son of a god. Did not want to be king ---> refused the crown, pardoned his enemies, actions did have some positive impacts for citizens, refused titles associating him with king

Why does Augustus begin the Res Gestae with an account of his victory in the civil wars?

Wanted to portray himself as Rome's savior, emphasizing that he freed the state from oppression and restored stability. Also justified his rise to power and presented his leadership as necessary for Rome's survival

Why does Augustus place such a heavy emphasis on refusing titles that were offered to him

Wanted to show that he respected Roman Republican traditions and was not looking for absolute power like a king. By refusing titles like "dictator" while exercising power through legitimate Republican offices, he made his authority appear lawful and less threatening, especially to the Senate.

Why was it important for Augustus to communicate his accomplishments to both the Senate and people?

Needed support from both groups to maintain his power. Financial gifts and public projects benefited the people, and his military victories expanded Roman territory and strengthened the state. Also supported the Senate financially and emphasized its authority, making both groups feel valued and invested in his leadership.

How does Augustus portray himself as a respectful leader rather than a dictator in the last paragraphs of Res Gestae?

Emphasizes that he returned power to the Senate and people and had greater influence, but not greater official power than his colleagues

How did Augustus adapt his rule after witnessing Caesar's?

Learned that openly concentrating power and threatening the Senate could lead to assination. Unlike Caesar --> maintained the appearance of a Republican government while holding significant influence, kept the Senate happy by respecting its traditional authority and the people happy through financial gifts, public buildings, and military success

How did Augustus' way of ruling lead to his success?

He was able to portray himself as a generous protector of Rome rather than a dictator, made his rule more acceptable, and reduced the opposition to his power

What was the Julio-Claudian Dynasty?

Emperors would typically be succeeded by an adopted son or grandson, all from the same extended family

What concept become increasingly accepted after Augustus' death?

Emperorship