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Roman Society

Roman Society. What are the most prized social values among Americans? Give examples of individuals who represent the characteristics. Fundamental Values. Pater familias Lead male in family – not necessarily a father Had extensive legal rights regarding family – could kill without penalty

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Roman Society

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  1. Roman Society

  2. What are the most prized social values among Americans? Give examples of individuals who represent the characteristics.

  3. Fundamental Values • Pater familias • Lead male in family – not necessarily a father • Had extensive legal rights regarding family – could kill without penalty • Was charged with maintaining the corporate identity of the family • Could adopt outsiders • Arranged marriages for members of family

  4. Political Transitions • From a monarchy to a classicalrepublic to an increasingly autocraticempire. • Similar to which Empire? • Greece: approx. 750Bc to 146BC (Romans Conquer Greece) • Rome: Roman Republic: grew unstable until Caesar takes over 45 BC • Augustus (grandnephew) takes power 27BC • Established basis for the Roman Empire

  5. Pol transitions cont.. • From Octavian (Augustus) for 200 years—to M. Aurelius= strong, peaceful and prosperous (until 180 CE height) • Emperors also moved North: France, Southern Brit and Germ. • ‘A Major, though tenuous extension of med. Civilization into W. Europe’ • See map 4.3 p. 74

  6. Period of Decline • From 180 CE • Empire suffered a decisive fall for 250 years • Invaded peoples from North overran in 476 CE. • Lessons from History?/sport parallell Period of greatest strength is closest to decline (Current E.g?)

  7. Decline Cont… • Decline manifested… • Economic deterioration; pop. Loss. Lower trade and birth rate • Emp. Gen. less effective in this period • Exception: Constantine: adopted Ch. –unite Empire anew. • However, in W. Empire most gov=local, imperial authority broke down

  8. Death knells • Roman Army: dep increasingly on local recruits. Problem? • Invasion of people from the North: film ‘the centurion’ • Eventually, Romans could no longer defend themselves • Similarity with Gupta, Han China.

  9. Exception Byzantine Byzantine: cont of Eastern Roman Emp • In 285, the emperorDiocletian (r. 284–305) partitioned the Roman Empire's administration into eastern and western halves. Between 324 and 330, Constantine I (r. 306–337) transferred the main capital from Rome to Byzantium, later known as Constantinople ("City of Constantine").

  10. Early Rome Timeline

  11. Roman and Greek Timeline

  12. Marriage mosaic: newlyweds from Naples

  13. Fundamental Values • Patronage • Mutually beneficial arrangement between inferior (usually talented or beautiful but poor) and superior (rich) • In exchange for flattery and public appearances, got financial help • Except emperor, slaves, and foreigners, every male had a patron and was a patron • Some people’s sole occupation was collecting money from patron and distributing it

  14. Fundamental Values • Authority (auctoritas) • Strong belief in the value of the state • Individuals must contribute to maintaining decorum (order) • Authority had duty to administer but must be obeyed • Not a society of debating, scrappy individuals like the Greeks (exc. Spartans)

  15. Fundamental Values • Sobriety and Poise “Gravitas” • Maintained a subdued, unemotional, and poised persona • Always on public procession conscious of how things appeared to others • Would not be caught quibbling over petty things – esp. publicly • Bearing had effect on treatment: good posture, eye contact, clear speaking voice important • Sophisticated and urbane image

  16. Civitas • Individuals not as important as Rome • Ideal of sober self-sacrifice for Rome very important to the establishment of the Roman state • Public servants usually had genuine desire to make Rome great • Sense of being part of an historical movement very powerful

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