lewis & reinhold founding of rome r4

ROMAN CIVILIZATION VOLUME I Selected Readings

Editors

  • Editors: Naphtali Lewis and Meyer Reinhold
  • Edition: Third Edition

Page 2: Natural Defenses and Foundational Legends

  • Natural Defenses of Rome:

    • The city's defenses were strategically located on steep hills.
    • The single approach was steep and easily defensible, with walls strategically placed.
    • The citadel, located on Capitoline Hill, was surrounded by sheer precipices as additional defenses.
    • It remained impregnable during the Gallic invasion.

  • Foundation Legends:

    • Depend heavily on archaeological evidence, which is more reliable than legends for Rome's origins.
    • These legends, largely constructed by Greek imagination in the 5th and 4th centuries B.C., merge with native Romulus legends, influencing Roman history.
Aeneas and the Trojans

  • Aeneas, along with Antenor, survived the fall of Troy because of their peaceful advocacy for the return of Helen.

    • Aeneas was destined for greater undertakings than Antenor, finally reaching Latium in Italy.
    • The Trojans, with nothing but swords and ships, landed under Aeneas's guidance.

  • Encounter with King Latinus:

    • They found King Latinus, who welcomed them. Aeneas took his daughter, Lavinia, in marriage, establishing a lineage.
    • Aeneas's son, Ascanius, founded a new city named Alba Longa.
    • Kings of Alba Longa descended from this union, including Numitor, who was later overthrown by his brother Amulius.
Romulus and Remus
  • Rhea Silvia, a Vestal Virgin, was raped by Mars and bore twin sons, Romulus and Remus.
  • The twins were exposed, raised by a she-wolf, and later restored their grandfather Numitor's rule after defeating Amulius.
  • Romulus pursued the founding of a new city, leading to a disagreement with Remus regarding the site.
Augury and City Founding
  • Romulus received augury from twelve vultures, establishing authority over Remus.
  • A conflict ensued, resulting in Remus's death at the hands of Romulus, who then established Rome.

Page 3: Kings of Rome

  • Seven Kings of Rome:
    • Romulus: Founded Rome but faced challenges from neighboring tribes.
    • Numa Pompilius: Focused on religious and civil law, establishing a framework for governance.
    • Tullus Hostilius: Expanded territory through war and conquest.
    • Ancus Marcius: Grandson of Numa, continued expansion.
    • Tarquin the Proud: Last king, whose repressive rule caused public dissent leading to his exile.
Pomerium: Founding and Growth of Rome
  • Pomerium: A sacred boundary established during the city's founding, separating urban and public land.
    • The pomerium was marked with stones to delineate religious and political boundaries.
    • It played a crucial role in Roman law as it determined the limits of the urban magistrates’ authority.
Urban and Religious Ceremonies
  • Urban Growth:
    • Servius Tullius expanded the city to accommodate growing populations.
    • Significant events and rituals were held in relation to urban expansion and governance.
    • Tullius increased the city's footprint by adding the Quirinal and Viminal hills.
The Temple of Jupiter
  • The Capitol housed the Etruscan triad of gods - Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva.
    • The construction signified Roman religious life and civic pride.
    • It remained a central shrine throughout Rome’s history.

Page 4: Republican Rome: Customs and Governance

  • Customs and Laws:
    • Romulus enacted laws guiding marriage and property sharing between spouses.
    • The term "farreatum" indicates the sacred nature of marriages.
    • Roman women participated equally in their husband's possessions and sacred rites but were to adhere strictly to marital decorum.
Laws of Marriage
  • The husband had extensive authority over his wife and could incur severe penalties for marital transgressions.
  • Laws prescribed that upon a husband's death, wives were entitled to inherit his estate.
Familial Authority
  • The paternal authority extended to children and was emphasized in Roman society, where the father had legal ownership of his children.
    • The power structure allowed fathers to sell their sons or decide their fates in significant matters.

Page 5: The Roman Calendar

  • Established by Numa, the calendar featured a twelve-month lunar cycle with potential intercalary days.
  • Each month was marked by significant religious observance, coordinating public and private actions.
Augury and Religious Significance
  • Augurs played a vital role, interpreting omens that affected civic decisions and initiatives.
  • The calendar not only organized time but also bound society to its religious customs, interweaving performance and public life with state mechanisms.
Dissolution and Transition to Republic
  • The fall of the monarchy came with the banishment of Tarquin following the incident involving Lucretia, leading to the establishment of a republic.
    • Brutus's significant role in drafting the new governance framework emphasized a shift from monarchy to elected leaders.