Seutonius

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Early Rome

  • I. The Beginnings of Rome
  • II. Family and Society (Roman Family Values)
  • III. Early Republican Political Structure

I. Beginnings of Rome

1 Differentiating between Myth, Legend, and History

Prehistoric Archaeological Evidence

2 Founding Myths (Historic Source: Livy First Century BCE)

Aeneas (Legendary Ancestor)

Romulus and Remus (Founders of Rome) 753 BCE

Lucretia (Revolt against the king Lucius Tarquinus Superbus) 509 BCE; Founding of the Republic

  • Myth: Traditional story of supposedly historical/past events that reveal or maintain the world view of a people or society

Aeneas arriving in Latium.

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Romulus and Remus suckling from the she-wolf.

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Lucretia taking her life.

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The rape of Lucretia.

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II. Family and Society

  • 1. A Patriarchal Society
  • Gaius Julius Caesar; gens=clan (For Caesar the gens Julia)
  • Familia=household;
  • Rule of the Father (paterfamilias)
  • 2. Piety (Pietas)=selfless concern and regard for parents and ancestors (ancestral spirits)
  • 3. Monitoring Morality: Censors, honor, infamy
  • 4. Patron-Client Relations: Informal political networks of personal interdependence

III. Early Republican Political Structure

  • 1 Patricians and Plebians
  • 2 Three-part system
  • Consuls (2)
  • Held imperium (the right to command; executive powers; one year term)
  • Senate (~300); council of elders (patricians)
  • Assemblies (Century and Tribal)
  • 3 Struggle of the Orders

3. Struggle of the Orders

  • Establishment of the Office of Tribune (494 BCE)
  • Spokesmen for the Plebians
  • Council of the Plebians (471 BCE)
  • Intermarriage allowed (445 BCE)
  • Consulship open to Plebians (367 BCE)
  • Laws passed in the Council of Plebians binding for all Romans (287 BCE)

IV. Expansion of the Republic

  • 1. Coalition of Latin speaking cities (Central Italy)
  • 2. Defeat of Latin Allies (338 BCE)
  • Extension of partial and full citizenship
  • 3. Punic Wars Against Carthage
  • Second Punic War (218-201 BCE)
  • First Contact with Hellenistic Kingdoms
  • War with Macedonia 200 BCE
  • War with Seleucid Monarch 191 BCE

The End of the Republic: Victory Will Eat Itself (133-31 BCE)

Why did the Republic end after over 450 years?

The victories of the Roman Republic destroyed the institutions of the Republic

“Trying to govern these sprawling territories with institutions and social traditions suited for a city-state overwhelmed the Roman Republic and led to the establishment of a new form of government.”

  • I. The Late Republic and Its Problems
  • II. Causation: A modern historical diagnosis

I. The Late Republic and Its Problems

1. Polarization of wealth; large landed estates

2. Political conflict between Senatorial factions: “Optimates” versus “Populares”

Tiberius Gracchus (163-133 BCE)

Gaius Gracchus

3. The size of the city of Rome and the “Mob”: Bread and Circuses

4. Increasing importance and influence of generals

Marius (157-86 BCE) and Sulla (138-78 BCE)

II. Causation: A Modern Historical Diagnosis

  • 1. Growth of Empire and Wealth for a Few
  • 2. Generals as Politicians and Dictators: Marius and Sulla (dictator 82-80 BCE)
  • 3. Civil Wars and the End of the Republic
  • First Triumvirate: Pompey, Crassus, Julius Caesar (Caesar’s Dictatorship 45-44 BCE)
  • Julius Caesar Assassinated 44 BCE
  • Second Triumvirate: Octavian, Marc Antony, Lepidius
  • Dominance of Octavian (Augustus)