ACS 210 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Greco-Roman Mysteries, Jesus Movement, Diocletianic Persecution
3 May 2018
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Rome: Origins and Christianity
ACS210! "
-Rome was a crossroad between east and west."
-Was not an isolated culture, in the middle of the Italian peninsula. "
-Rome was ruled by monarchy before becoming monarchy. "
-Resembles Greece because same gods and Greeks but different names. "
Foundational Legend of Rome
-Aeneas’ flight from Try and his voyage to Latium. "
•Aeneas’ is demi god; his mom is Venus."
•Gathers his father and god before fleeing the city."
•Important to roman culture because ancestors/respect for father and religion is key
to roman people."
•Aeneas’ decedents become leaders of the tribe of Latium"
-Youngest brother kills all of his nephews so no one will take over his throne."
•Does not kill his niece, but she becomes pregnant with a god’s children."
•Become abandoned and adopted by Shepard. "
•Grow up and claim throne."
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•Romulus and Remus; Romulus kills his brother to become king. "
-Greek culture’s influence on Rome."
-Rome’s view of itself as a natural culmination of Greek history/civilization. "
-Improvement on Greek civilization."
-Rome’s growth through expansion and assimilation of other cultures."
-Violent nature."
-Role of religion in power. "
Religion and the Roman State
-Explicitly civic nature of the religion makes it different."
•Civic = pertaining to what it means to be a proper citizen. "
-Kingship; rex sacrum."
•Abolished and formed a new government called the Republic. "
-Sacred and ruling."
•Still look to civic ruling and religion to rule land. "
-Piety of Numa Pompilius. "
•Good king because he was pious. "
-Upper classes claimed descent from Gods. "
-Ex. Julii claimed descent from Venus."
Civic Religion
-Magistrates "
•Lawgivers; judges."
•Executive powers."
-Pontiffs "
•Priests."
•Organized in colleges."
•Pontifex Maximus. "
-Augurs "
•Take auspices."
-Consults Jupiter; seeking approval before continuing with a certain job. "
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•Interpretation."
•“Inaugurate”"
•Lituus. "
•Citizens served the civic good. "
Roman Social Structure
-Patricians "
-Plebeians "
-Struggle of the orders"
The Republic
-Res Publica "
•“Public thing”"
•Sovereignty lay with the people."
-Traditional end of the monarchy is dated to 509 BCE but likely took longer, from
525-474 BCE. "
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Document Summary
Rome was a crossroad between east and west. Was not an isolated culture, in the middle of the italian peninsula. Rome was ruled by monarchy before becoming monarchy. Resembles greece because same gods and greeks but di erent names. %1: romulus and remus; romulus kills his brother to become king. Rome"s view of itself as a natural culmination of greek history/civilization. Rome"s growth through expansion and assimilation of other cultures. Explicitly civic nature of the religion makes it di erent: civic = pertaining to what it means to be a proper citizen. Kingship; rex sacrum: abolished and formed a new government called the republic. Sacred and ruling: still look to civic ruling and religion to rule land. Piety of numa pompilius: good king because he was pious. Ponti s: priests, organized in colleges, pontifex maximus. Consults jupiter; seeking approval before continuing with a certain job. %2: interpretation, inaugurate , lituus, citizens served the civic good.
