Lecture 9: Investigating Early Rome

The course will cover the early history of Rome, aligning roughly with the Greek period discussed in prior lectures.
Topics include:
- Interactions between Romans and Greeks.
- Development from early Rome to the Republic.
- Informing students on the foundation and early development of Rome.

Handouts available for students at the front of the classroom and will also be uploaded to the Learning Management System (LUN).
Additional readings may also be posted on LUN for further exploration.
Highlights the significance of maintaining engagement with LUN for resources.

This week's tutorial focuses on assignments in the classics department, particularly:
- Layout and formatting requirements.
- Reference style preferred by classics lecturers.
The classics assignment writing guide is available on LUN within the assessment section.
Emphasis that there is no required reading for this week's tutorial, focusing instead on providing guidance on assignments.
Next week's tutorial will involve a special session in the Thiste Museum; regular tutorials will not run.

No quizzes or assessments due this week, allowing focus on ongoing assignments.
Assignments due next week, with a quiz expected.
Assignment 2 questions will be released at the end of the following week or the start of the break.

Aim of today’s class:
- Introduce sources for reconstructing early Roman history.
- Discuss issues in understanding Rome's foundation and early years.
The class will cover:
- Types of evidence available.
- Problems related to the source material.
- Timeline of Rome’s development and key cultural influences.

Knowledge about early Rome is limited, illustrative of the gaps present in classic studies.
Exploring possibilities for the naming of Rome:
- Likely attributed to Romulus, founder and first king.
- Derived from ancient names for the river Tiber.
- Associated with the Etruscan word for 'teat' in reference to the she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus.
All interpretations reflect a broader cultural heritage and the nature of legends.

Legends expressing cultural memory offer insights into Roman self-perception.
Variety of stories raise questions regarding their historical validity, emphasizing the mixture of fact and narrative invention.
Recognizes the role of cultural influences, including the Latins, Etruscans, and Greeks, in shaping early Roman identity.

Roman historiography emerged much later than that of the Greeks:
- First historian, Fabius Pictor, active in the late 3rd century BCE, wrote in Greek.
- Senator Cato the Elder authored the first Latin history in the 2nd century BCE.
- Most of these histories survive only in fragments, limiting historical knowledge.
Livy’s history, written during the Augustan period, encompasses the city's founding through to his time, though he acknowledged the legendary nature of early accounts.

Livy discussed Roman traditions and moral exemplars, urging readers to consider these recurring themes in early history.
Describes values like virtus, through narratives of figures like Cincinnatus, who embodied Roman ideals of duty and selflessness.
Despite being rooted in legend, these stories reveals what qualities were valued by Roman society.

The Etruscans significantly influenced Rome's development, contributing to infrastructural advancements (e.g., Cloaca Maxima).
Cultural exchanges between Greeks and Romans during foundational periods:
- Evidence of Greek settlements in Italy around the 8th century BCE.
- Greeks impacted Rome through trade and cultural interactions.

Archaeological research indicates settlements around 1000 BCE evolved into a more unified group at the time traditionally considered as Rome's establishment.
Physical remains shed light on early diverse settlements and interactions that contributed to Rome's urban evolution.

While the totality of Rome's early history remains elusive, contemporary research combines literary and archaeological findings to create a more comprehensive understanding of early Roman society.
The next class will delve into the development of the Republic, moving beyond the legendary monarchy to examine the establishment of Rome’s political systems.