HY 102 Lecture 12: Chapter 5
30 May 2018
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Chapter 5 – The Civilization of Ancient Rome
I.Introduction
A. Rome as bridge between Mediterranean and ancient Near East
B. A distinctive civilization
C. The "mission" of the Romans
D. Geographic scope of Rome
II. Early Italy and the Roman Monarchy
. Geographical influences
1. Land rich enough to be attractive
2. Difficult to defend
A. The Etruscans
1. Non-Indo-Europeans
2. Etruscan confederacy
3. Independent city-states
4. Historically mysterious group
5. Language never full translated
B. The Etruscan legacy
1. The arch and vault
2. Women of high status; families traced through female line
3. Women participated in public life
4. Engaged in gladiatorial combat
5. Etruscan mythology contributed to Virgil's Aeneid and the story of Romulus and Remus
C. Greek settlements and influences
1. Greeks arrive as early as eighth century B.C.E.
2. Romans derive their alphabet from the Greek alphabet
3. Romans borrowed many Greek religious beliefs
4. Romans downplayed this and emphasized Trojan origins
III. The Rise of Rome
. Latins cross the Alps into Italy around 2000 B.C.E.
A. Rome founded as early as the tenth century B.C.E.; Romans claim city founded in 753 B.C.E.
B. Rome develops along Tiber River
C. Develops into major commercial port and crossroads of trade
D. Emergence of the concept of the "Latin Right"
E. Early government monarchical with patriarchal king
F. Not an absolute monarchy; subject to Council of Elders
G. Seven kings said to have ruled in succession
IV. The Early Republic
. Constant warfare to acquire land
1. Etruscan territories to the north
2. Greek poleis in the south
A. Incorporation of conquered peoples
1. Did not impose heavy burdens on conquered peoples
2. Conquered people had to contribute soldiers to the Roman army
3. Strong emphasis on agriculture
B. The government of the early Republic
1. Slow political evolution
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Document Summary
Chapter 5 the civilization of ancient rome. I. introduction: rome as bridge between mediterranean and ancient near east, a distinctive civilization, the mission of the romans, geographic scope of rome. Geographical influences: land rich enough to be attractive, difficult to defend, the etruscans, non-indo-europeans, etruscan confederacy. Latins cross the alps into italy around 2000 b. c. e: rome founded as early as the tenth century b. c. e. Constant warfare to acquire land: etruscan territories to the north, greek poleis in the south. Incorporation of conquered peoples: did not impose heavy burdens on conquered peoples, conquered people had to contribute soldiers to the roman army, strong emphasis on agriculture, the government of the early republic. Tribunes created to protect the right of plebeians: the law of the twelve tables. Perpetuated ancient customs: the concilium plebis, slow shift to an aristocracy of wealth rather than birth, the equestrians.
