Potter, Ancient Rome: A New History, Ch. 5, “The Age of Stability”

Key Historical Themes and Events:

1. The Flavian Dynasty (AD 70-96):

• Vespasian (AD 70-79):

• Captured Jerusalem in AD 70, leading to the destruction of the Jewish Temple.

• Construction of the Colosseum began, officially called the Flavian Amphitheater, to mark the victory over the Jews.

• Governed with a practical approach and worked closely with the senatorial and equestrian orders.

• Titus (AD 79-81):

• Oversaw the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, which buried Pompeii and Herculaneum.

• Opened the Colosseum with 100 days of games.

• Domitian (AD 81-96):

• Implemented authoritarian rule and addressed himself as “master and god.”

• Expanded territories north of the Rhine and began wars with the Dacians.

2. The Antonine Emperors (AD 96-192):

• Nerva (AD 96-98):

• Adopted Trajan, ensuring political stability.

• Trajan (AD 98-117):

• Expanded the empire to its greatest extent, conquering Dacia (modern Romania) in AD 101-106 and parts of the Parthian Empire.

• Established the Forum of Trajan and the Column of Trajan in Rome.

• Hadrian (AD 117-138):

• Known for building Hadrian’s Wall in Britain in AD 122 to mark the empire’s northern boundary.

• Refounded Jerusalem as Aelia Capitolina, leading to the Bar-Kochba Revolt in Judea (AD 131-135).

3. Key Cultural Developments:

• Literary Figures:

• Josephus wrote detailed histories of the Jewish revolts.

• Poets such as Martial and Petronius depicted Roman culture and politics through satire and epigrams.

• Architecture:

• Colosseum, Trajan’s Forum, and Hadrian’s Villa at Tivoli reflect Rome’s architectural legacy.

4. Jewish Revolts:

• AD 66-70: The Great Jewish Revolt ended with the destruction of the Temple.

• AD 131-135: The Bar-Kochba Revolt under Simon Ben-Kosiba, crushed by Hadrian.

5. Military Campaigns:

• AD 69-70: Roman troops suppressed the Batavian Revolt in Gaul.

• AD 101-106: Trajan’s conquest of Dacia marked by the death of Decebalus and the annexation of the territory.

• AD 113-117: Trajan’s Parthian War resulted in the short-lived annexation of Armenia and Mesopotamia.

Important Dates and Events:

• AD 70: Capture of Jerusalem; destruction of the Temple by Titus.

• AD 79: Eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

• AD 122: Construction of Hadrian’s Wall.

• AD 131-135: Bar-Kochba Revolt in Judea.

• AD 101-106: Conquest of Dacia by Trajan.

• AD 113-117: Trajan’s Parthian campaign, including the capture of Ctesiphon.

Important Locations:

• Rome:

• The Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheater), Trajan’s Forum, and Hadrian’s Villa at Tivoli.

• Dacia (Modern Romania):

• Conquered by Trajan, signifying Rome’s territorial peak.

• Jerusalem:

• Site of the Jewish revolts and destruction of the Second Temple.

• Britain:

• Hadrian’s Wall symbolized the empire’s northernmost boundary.

• Ctesiphon (Iraq):

• Captured during Trajan’s Parthian campaigns.

Suggestions for Class Contribution:

• Discuss the significance of the Jewish revolts and Roman military campaigns in shaping the empire’s policies.

• Highlight the Flavian and Antonine emperors’ focus on infrastructure, such as the Colosseum and Trajan’s Forum.

• Reflect on the cultural flourishing during this period, especially the role of figures like Josephus and Martial.

Jewish Revolt:

The First Jewish Revolt (AD 66–70), also known as the Great Jewish Revolt, which was one of several major conflicts between the Roman Empire and Jewish populations in Judea. This revolt began as an uprising against Roman rule in Judea due to heavy taxation, religious tensions, and administrative corruption.

Key Events:

1. Outbreak of the Revolt (AD 66):

• Jewish rebels took control of Jerusalem and defeated a Roman legion, escalating tensions.

• Emperor Nero sent General Vespasian to crush the rebellion.

2. Vespasian’s Campaign (AD 67–69):

• Vespasian subdued much of Judea, including Galilee.

• After Nero’s death, Vespasian returned to Rome and became emperor, leaving his son Titus to complete the war.

3. Siege of Jerusalem (AD 70):

• Titus led the Roman forces in a brutal siege of Jerusalem, which resulted in:

• The destruction of the Second Temple, a central religious and cultural institution for the Jewish people.

• Widespread death, enslavement, and displacement of the Jewish population.

4. Roman Victory:

• The revolt officially ended with the fall of Masada in AD 73, a fortress held by Jewish zealots.

Roman Perspective:

From the Roman point of view, the suppression of the revolt was celebrated as a major military success. It restored Roman control over a rebellious province and demonstrated the empire’s might. This “victory” was commemorated in several ways:

• The construction of the Colosseum in Rome, financed by spoils from the Jewish Temple.

• The Arch of Titus, which depicts Roman soldiers carrying treasures from the Temple, including the sacred Menorah.

Jewish Perspective:

For the Jewish population, this event was a devastating loss:

• The destruction of the Second Temple marked a profound religious and cultural rupture.

• Judea became a Roman province, and many Jews were enslaved or exiled.

• The events led to a long-lasting impact on Jewish history, including the beginning of the Jewish Diaspora.