Knowt
Global 9h/Pre-AP: Ancient Rome
Ch. 11: Mediterranean Society
Rome’s Mythological Founding - Romulus & Remus
Flight of Aeneas, a refugee from Troy who migrated to Italy when Greek invaders destroyed his native land
Descendants: Romulus & Remus (Twins)
She-wolf found them and nursed them to health
Romulus founded the city of Rome and established himself as its first king
Feature of Geography (what was better than Greece?)
Geographic Feature
Effect on Development
Central location of the Italian Peninsula on the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas
Helped Romans expand their influence and used the sea for trade and conquest
Rome is located south of the Alps Mountain Range
Blocks cold wind and gives Rome a pleasant climate. However, the Alps offer limited protection
Rome was built on the Tiber River and is located south of the Po River
The Po River provides water for the rich farming region of the northern plain
Apennines mountains less rugged than mountains in Greece
The Apennines were a less serious threat to unity in Italy, so Italy was not broken up into independent city-states
Fertile, flat plains located in the north and west of the Italian peninsula
The land was suitable for agriculture, supporting a growing population
Influence of the Latins, Greeks, and Etruscans
Latins: Roman ancestors
Etruscans:/Greek
Alphabet (Greeks —> Etruscans)
Arch (E)
Engineering techniques (E)
Etruscan + Greek gods and goddesses + Roman deities
Built fortified cities (G)
Grow grapes/olives (G)
Political structure of the Roman Republic (know the roles of consuls, the Senate, the Assembly, tribunes, & dictators)
Consuls:
2
elected by the assembly for one year
chief executives of the government
commanders-in-chief of the army
Senate:
300 members
Chosen from Aristocracy
For life
controls foreign and financial policies, advises consuls
The Assembly:
Centuriate Assembly
members for life
selects consuls
makes laws
Tribal Assembly
citizens grouped according to where they live
members for life
elects tribunes: representatives of plebeians
makes laws
Dictator:
A leader who had absolute power to make laws and command the army
Why was there conflict between patricians and plebeians?
Patricians held more power over Plebeians and manipulated laws to their advantage
What was the significance of the Law of the 12 Tables?
Written law code - prevented patrician officials to interpret the law to suit themselves
Expansion of the Republic - Punic Wars
Romans v.s Carthage
Economic competition: Sicily, the most important source of grain (W Mediterranean)
Supremacy in the region
burned Carthage, destroying them
—> Romans became the dominant power in the W Mediterranean region
How did imperial expansion lead to domestic problems? (Latifundia)
Wide gap between the rich and the poor:
Grain prices declined —> Grain was given to Rome from conquered territories as tribute. Surplus drove prices down, hurting small farmers, resulting in them selling their land to pay debts
Treasure —> Some Romans grew rich from booty and increased trade in luxury goods. These rich people bought up land from small farmers and created large estates called latifundia, and used slaves for cheap labor. Small farmers could not compete and many lost their land
Urban Poor increases —> poor landless farmers (some previously roman soldiers) moved to the city and joined the other unemployed poor people in the capital
Changes in the Roman Army
Generals began recruiting soldiers from the landless poor. These soldiers fought for pay and owed their loyalty only to their commanders
Made it possible for an ambitious politician to be supported by his own troops and take complete control of Rome in its weakened state
Generals began fighting each other for power (Civil Wars)
Who were the Gracchi brothers? Compare to Wang Mang
chief proponents of social reform who, like Wang Mang, tried to limit the amount of conquered land someone could hold. They had little success.
Civil wars - Gaius Marius, Lucius Cornelius Sulla
Marius: advocated social reform
Sulla: allied with conservatives and aristocrats
Julius Caesar - Accomplishments and Assassination
Accomplishments:
Success at Gaul (became popular)
Reforms
granted Roman citizenship
added friends/supporters from Italy & other regions
helped poor by creating jobs
started colonies where people without land could own property
increased pay for soldiers
Assassination:
Caesar was stabbed to death in the Senate Chamber by a faction of Senators who were getting scared of his powers
Mark Antony & Cleopatra
Cleopatra and Julius had a son named Caesarion
Mark Antony (Julius’s pupil/protege) marries Cleopatra after Julius dies, but they are both killed by Octavian (Julius’s grandnephew)
Augustus Caesar - Administration “A monarchy disguised as a Republic”
Octavian becomes the sole ruler of Rome and is named Augustus (“exalted one”)
Accumulated power and held responsibility for all important government functions, basically making himself Emperor (“A monarchy disguised as a Republic”)
Pax Romana - Roman roads, sea lanes (“Mare Nostrum”), Roman law, Engineering (aqueducts, concrete, Coliseum)
Roman Golden Age
Provinces with own local government
Civil Service - paid government workers (Bureaucracy)
Coined money
Roads
Original purpose: troop movement/communication
Later purpose: trade
Aqueducts: Water passages used to bring water to the cities
Colosseum: public entertainment
Roman Society - Paterfamilias, compare the lives of the rich/poor, slavery, and the role of women in Ancient Rome (compared to Greece)
Paterfamilias:
Father of the family
all decisions for the family
can kill/sell a family member
Patricians:
run government
Aristocrats: born into their power
Plebeians:
common people
Slaves:
Prisoners of War
people in debt
Women:
Women in Ancient Rome had more power than Greek women and were citizens with the right to own property and testify in court. They often advised their husbands on politics and business
Influence of Greek philosophy - Stoicism
Cicero: Persuasive orator and writer who contributed to making Stoicism one of the most prominent philosophies in Rome
Appealed to Roman intellectuals
moral thought
Religion - Roman deities, state cults, Religions of Salvation (Mithraism, cult of Isis, Essenes, Christians)
Religions that were believed to bring salvation to its followers
Mithraism:
Persian deity Mithras: strength, courage, and discipline
popular in Roman armed forces
moral behavior
male populations
State cults:
cults where the empire/state would deem the Emperor as a god or divine being
Cult of Isis:
Men & Women
benevolent and protective deity
Egyptian goddess Isis
Christianity
Yahweh (Jewish God)
monotheistic
persecuted in the early days
most popular religion
Christianity - Jesus of Nazareth, Disciples, Gospels, Paul of Tarsus, persecution of Christians, Emperor Constantine, Edict of Milan, Emperor Diocletian
Jesus of Nazareth
Bethlehem
Jewish teacher who taught devotion to God
was thought that he was the Son of God
Crucified
Disciples: Jesus’s followers/students
Paul of Tarsus:
preacher
doctrine called for individuals to observe high moral standards and to place their faith ahead of personal and family interests
Persecution of Christians was very common due to rejection in participation in state cults, which was considered blasphemous
Emperor Constantine:
Passed Edict of Milan (Christianity shall be tolerated in the Roman Empire
Reunited Empire under his rule
Converted to Christianity
Emperor Diocletian:
persecuted Christians harshly - seen as scapegoats for internal problems
Divided the empire into 2 halves
ruled by 2 co-emperors with 2 powerful lieutenants
lived on the richer side (Eastern Roman Empire)
Chapter 11 Outline:
From kingdom to republic
The Etruscans and Rome
Romulus and Remus: legendary twins rescued by a she-wolf; founded Rome in 753 B.C.E.
The Etruscans dominated Italy in the eighth to fifth centuries B.C.E.
The kingdom of Rome was on the Tiber River
The Roman republic and its constitution
Establishment of the republic
Rome nobility deposed the last Etruscan king in 509 B.C.E.
Republican constitution included two consuls: civil and military
An assembly dominated by the patricians elected consuls
Senate advised the consuls and ratified major decisions
Both Senate and consuls represented the interests of the patricians
Conflicts between patricians and plebeians
Patricians granted plebeians the tribunes
Tribunes' power to intervene and veto decisions
Plebeians' tribunes dominated Roman politics, early third century B.C.E.
The expansion of the republic
Rome consolidated its position in Italy, fifth and fourth centuries B.C.E.
Conflict with Carthage (Punic Wars) and Hellenistic realms
Rome became preeminent power in eastern and western Mediterranean
From republic to empire
Imperial expansion and domestic problems
The Gracchi brothers supported land redistribution; both were assassinated
Military commanders recruited rural and urban poor--intensely loyal armies
Gaius Marius: general who advocated land redistribution
Conservative aristocratic class supported general Lucius Cornelius Sulla
Civil war
The foundation of empire
Julius Caesar: very popular social reformer and conqueror (Gaul)
Seized Rome in 49 B.C.E.
Claimed the title "dictator for life," 46 B.C.E.
Social reforms and centralized control
Assassinated in 44 B.C.E.
Octavion brought civil conflict to an end
Senate bestowed title "Augustus", 27 B.C.E.
Monarchy disguised as a republic
Created a new standing army under his control
The imperial institutions began to take root
Continuing expansion and integration of the empire
Roman expansion into Mediterranean basin, western Europe, down Nile to Kush
Pax romana, Roman Peace, for two and a half centuries
Well-engineered Roman roads; postal system
Roman law--tradition: twelve tables (450 B.C.E.)
Economy and society in the Roman Mediterranean
Trade and urbanization
Owners of latifundia focused on specialized production for export
Mediterranean trade
Sea lanes linked ports of the Mediterranean
Roman navy kept the seas largely free of pirates
The Mediterranean became a Roman lake
The city of Rome
Wealth of the city fueled its urban development
Statues, pools, fountains, arches, temples, stadiums
First use of concrete as construction material
Rome attracted numerous immigrants
Attractions: baths, pools, gymnasia, circuses, stadiums, amphitheaters
Family and society in Roman times
The pater familias--eldest male of the family ruled
Women wielded considerable influence within their families
Many women supervised family business and wealthy estates
Wealth and social change
Newly rich classes built palatial houses and threw lavish banquets
Cultivators and urban masses lived at subsistence level
Poor classes became a serious problem in Rome and other cities
No urban policy developed, only "bread and circuses"
Slavery--one-third of the population
Spartacus's uprising in 73 B.C.E.
Urban slaves saw better conditions and possibility of manumission
The cosmopolitan Mediterranean
Greek philosophy and religions of salvation
Roman deities: gods, goddesses, and household gods
Greek influence--Stoicism
Appealed to Roman intellectuals
Cicero (106-43 B.C.E.) persuasive orator and writer on Stoicism
Religions of salvation gave sense of purpose and promised afterlife
Roman roads served as highways for religious spread
Mithraism was popular with Roman soldiers--men only
Cult of Isis very popular
Judaism and early Christianity
Monotheistic Jews considered state cults to be blasphemy
The Essenes, sect of Judaism; Dead Sea Scrolls
Jesus of Nazareth
Charismatic Jewish teacher, taught devotion to God and love for human beings
Attracted large crowds through his wisdom and miraculous powers
The teaching "the kingdom of God is at hand" alarmed the Romans
Crucifixion in early 30s C.E.
Became "Christ," or "the anointed one"
The New Testament and the Old Testament became the holy book of Christianity
Paul of Tarsus was principle figure in spread of Christianity
Rapid growth of early Christianity
Strong appeal to lower classes, urban population, and women
Became the most influential faith in the Mediterranean by the third century C.E.
Ch. 12: Cross-Cultural Exchanges on the Silk Roads
Zhang Qian and the opening of the Silk Road trade
What developments minimized the risk associated with travel & long-distance trade in the Classical era?
Construction of roads and bridges, large imperial states bordered one another
How did the Seleucids and Ptolemies each promote the growth of long-distance trade?
Why was knowledge of the monsoon wind patterns essential to maritime trade in the Classical period?
The monsoon winds helped mariners sail safely and reliably in the Indian Ocean and facilitated trade by assisting sailors to reach distant ports
Know the essential products exchanged along the trade networks discussed in the chapter.
India:
Spices, pepper, cosmetics, gems, cotton textiles, ivory
Persia & Egypt:
Grains
Mediterranean Basin:
Wine, olive oil, jewelry, glassware, artworks, gold and silver, perfumes, pottery, woolen and linen textiles
Throughout the Mediterranean:
Slaves
Southern Arabia and E. Mediterranean
Iron goods (spears, axes, knives)
Rhapta (E. Africa):
Ivory, rhinoceros horns, tortoise shells, slaves
China:
Silk, ginger, cinnamon
Southeast Asia:
Spices (cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon)
Central Asia:
Horses, Jade
Arabia:
Sesame oil
Know the role that key empires played in expanding the scope of long-distance trade (Romans, Parthians, Kushan, and Han)
Be familiar with the extent of the land & sea routes known collectively as the Silk Roads.
Why were silks and spices essential commodities in classical times?
They were used by the elites/nobles (Patricians) and were considered a luxury item
Why were oasis towns along the Silk Road considered cosmopolitan centers? What role did merchants, oasis towns, monasteries, and missionaries play in the spread of Buddhism?
Since they heavily depended on trade, they allowed foreigners and merchants. Following that, cultural diffusion took place and different ideas/religions were introduced to these oasis towns, which played in the spread of many religions including Buddhism
Why did rulers of Southeast Asian states adopt elements of Buddhism or Hinduism?
Rulers of Southeast Asian states adopted elements of Buddhism or Hinduism for political legitimacy, cultural influence, trade relations, and social cohesion.
Trace the spread of Christianity (Where and how did it spread?)
Christianity spread in the Classical Era primarily through the Roman Empire, trade routes, and missionary activities. Key cities like Rome, Alexandria, and Antioch played significant roles in its dissemination.
Gregory the Wonderworker
Missionary who performed miracles
Popularized Christianity in the Roman Empire
How did Indian traditions inspire Christians in Southwest Asia?
Indian traditions such as ascetic methods inspired Christians in Southwest Asia and influenced them to also follow ascetic regimes. They abstained from sexual contact, refused fine foods and other comforts, and sometimes even withdrew from family life and society.
Who were the Nestorians? How did they differ from the Mediterranean Christians? How did they contribute to the spread of Christianity?
Followers of the Greek theologian Nestorius
They differed from the Mediterranean Christians because they emphasized the human as opposed to the divine nature of Jesus
They contributed to the spread of Christianity because their beliefs spread to established communities in Central Asia, India, and China
How did long-distance trade contribute to the spread of epidemic disease? How was it affected by the spread of epidemic disease?
Long-distance trade contributed to the spread of epidemic diseases because as merchants traveled around, they spread it into that area, spreading the epidemic/disease there
Trade declined for a little bit but picked back up
Compare and contrast the collapse of the Han dynasty with the fall of the Roman Empire
Both faced internal strife, external invasions, and economic issues. The Han dynasty collapsed due to political corruption and peasant uprisings, while the Roman Empire fell due to barbarian invasions and economic decline. The Han dynasty's collapse led to regional fragmentation, while the fall of the Roman Empire resulted in the rise of feudalism in Europe.
Chapter 12 Outline:
Long-distance trade and the Silk Roads network
Zhang Qian's mission to the west
Held by Xiongnu for years
Told Han Wudi of possibility of establishing trade relations to Bactria
Han Wudi subdued Xiongnu, opening up region to safe trade routes
Trade networks of the Hellenistic era
Important developments of the classical era that reduced risks
Rulers invested in constructing roads and bridges
Large empires expanded until borders were closer
Trade networks of the Hellenistic world
Exchanges between India/Bactria in east and Mediterranean basin in west
Ptolemies learned about the monsoon system in Indian Ocean
Maritime trade included East Africa--Rhapta
The silk roads
Trade routes
Overland trade routes linked China to Roman empire
Sea lanes joined Asia, Africa, and Mediterranean basin into one network
Trade goods
Silk and spices traveled west
Central Asia produced large horses and jade, sold in China
Roman empire provided glassware, jewelry, artworks, perfumes, textiles
The organization of long-distance trade
Merchants of different regions handled long-distance trade in stages
On the seas, long-distance trade was dominated by different empires
Cultural and biological exchanges along the silk roads
The spread of Buddhism and Hinduism
Buddhism in central Asia and China
First present in oasis towns of central Asia along silk roads
Further spread to steppe lands
Foreign merchants as Buddhists in China, first century B.C.E.
Popularity of monasteries and missionaries, fifth century C.E.
Buddhism and Hinduism in Southeast Asia
The spread of Christianity
Christianity in the Mediterranean basin
Missionaries, like Gregory the Wonderworker, attracted converts
Christian communities flourished in Mediterranean basin by late third century C.E.
Christianity in Southwest Asia follows the trade routes
Sizable communities in Mesopotamia and Iran, second century C.E.
Sizable number of converts in southwest Asia until the seventh century C.E.
Their ascetic practices influenced Christian practices in the Roman empire
Nestorians emphasized human nature of Jesus, fifth century C.E.
Nestorian communities in central Asia, India, and China by seventh century C.E.
The spread of Manichaeism; best example of religion spread on silk roads
Mani and Manichaeism
Prophet Mani, a Zoroastrian, drew influence from Christianity and Buddhism
Dualism: perceived a cosmic struggle between light and darkness, good and evil
Offered means to achieve personal salvation
Ascetic lifestyle and high ethical standards
Differentiation between the "elect" and the "hearers"
Spread of Manichaeism; appealed to merchants
Attracted converts first in Mesopotamia and east Mediterranean region
Appeared in all large cities of Roman empire, third century C.E.
Persecuted by Sasanids and Romans but survived in central Asia
The spread of epidemic disease
Epidemic diseases
Common epidemics in Rome and China: smallpox, measles, bubonic plague
Roman Empire: population dropped by a quarter from the first to tenth century C.E.
China: population dropped by a quarter from the first to seventh century C.E.
Effects of epidemic diseases
Both Chinese and Roman economies contracted
Small regional economies emerged
Epidemics weakened Han and Roman empires
China after the Han dynasty
Internal decay of the Han state
Problems of factions and land distribution led to rebellions
Generals usurped political authority; the emperor became a puppet
By 220 C.E., generals abolished the Han and divided the empire into three kingdoms
Nomadic peoples came in; China became even more divided for 350 years
Cultural change in post-Han China
Gradual sinicization of nomadic peoples
Withering of Confucianism in light of political instability
Popularity of Buddhism; nomadic rulers embraced it
The fall of the Roman empire
Internal decay in the Roman empire
The barracks emperors: series of generals seizing throne (235-284 C.E.
The emperor Diocletian (284-305 C.E.)
Divided the empire into two administrative districts
A co-emperor ruled each district with the aid of a powerful lieutenant
The emperor Constantine and new capital Constantinople
Germanic invasions and the fall of the western Roman empire
Germanic migrations from northern Europe to eastern and northern part of Roman empire
Visigoths--settled agriculturalists; adopted Roman law and Christianity
Roman authorities kept Germanic peoples on the borders as a buffer
The Huns under Attila attacked Europe mid-fifth century C.E.
The collapse of the western Roman empire
Under the Huns' pressure, Germanic peoples streamed into the Roman empire
Established settlements in Italy, Gaul, Spain, Britain, and north Africa
Germanic general Odovacer deposed the Roman emperor, 476 C.E.
Imperial authority survived in the eastern half of the empire
Cultural change in the late Roman empire
Christianity most prominent survivor of the collapse of the empire
With Constantine's Edict of Milan, Christianity became a legitimate religion, 313 C.E.
Emperor Theodosius proclaimed Christianity the official religion, 380 C.E.
St. Augustine harmonized Christianity with Platonic thought
The Church became increasingly institutionalized
Conflicting doctrines and practices among early Christians
Established standardized hierarchy of church officials
The bishop of Rome, known as the pope, became spiritual leader
As Roman empire collapsed, Christianity served as a cultural foundation
