Thematic Look at Classical Rome

(400 BCE-400 CE)

Environment

Importance of the
Mediterranean Sea
Maritime Trade
Roads and Aqueducts

The Roman Lake

Mediterranean-Center of the earth
Mare Nostrum-Our sea
Complete control of the Mediterranean was
essential for Roman Economics:
This is why the PUNIC WARS
(against north African Carthage) were fought.

Roman Transportation
The Mediterranean (swiftest and
safest) Rome Interior
superhighway.
Port Cities Thrive! (Think New York
and San Francisco)
Roads and aqueducts move people
and fresh water evrywhere else!

Polyglot Empire
Classical Philosophies

Culture

Polytheism
Cult of the Emperor
Change to Christianty

Polyglot Empire
Two main written languages:
Latin: Politics, Law, Business,

Greek: Education,
Religion, Literature

Classical Philosophies Conflict

Stoicism

Epicureanism

Life is short
Do the right thing!
Make an impact for future generations
Do whats best for Rome
Safeguard your family
Live Simply so that others may simply
live!

Life is short
YOLO!!! Baby
Live for today as there may not be a
tomorrow!

Roman Religion
(400 BCE-313 CE)
Tolerant Polytheism
All gods could be worshipped and
recognized!
Most popular- Greco-Roman
Pantheon

The Cult of the Emperor

This was the only religious concept
Romans were NOT flexible on!
All living emperors were considered
DEMIGODS- gods in training
After their death the Senate would
either:
DEIFY them

OR

Full God Status

Memory

VILLIFY them
Wiped from

The Shift to Christianity

(Emperor
Theodosius)Declares
Christianity official
religion of empire

Apostolic ageChristianity grows

but is persecuted
by Rome

400 BCE40 CE

Roman
Polytheism/Cult of
the Emperor

40 CE318 CE

320 CE

Edict of Milanfreedom of
religion in the
Roman Empire
(Emperor

395 CE

Social
Structure/
Gender

Patron / Client Relationship

Struggle of the Orders
Paterfamilias
Law of the 12 Tables

Clients

Patron / Client Relationship

(a two-class system)

(Plebians)

Patrons
(Patricians)

From a common
ancestory or family.

Those of noble/wealthy
family and birth pedigree.

They are in the employ of

patrons

They are in charge of and

or hire many
subordinates.

Typically provide labor,

both skilled and
unskilled.
At first, could not hold
political office.

Typically own land,

armies, businesses.
At first, were the only
ones who could hold
political office.

Struggle of the Orders

This Two-Class system was
constantly under pressure
and experienced instability.
1.Clients wanting more
political representation and
power.

Ultimately,
the Patrons

2.Clients demanding more

free stuff Bread and
Circuses
3.Increase in the number of
citizenships granted
4.More Slaves because of

Paterfamilias
The traditon/concept that the
Father or eldest male is in
charge of the household.
He has ownership of all wealth,
property, and title.
He has the right to direct and
make decisons for the women
and children in the home.
Man= Patron

Woman=Client

This also is the same

relationship that a patron should
have for his clients in business
and politics

Politics/State
Building

Republic (400 BCE- 40 BCE)

Empire (40 BCE- 285 CE)
East/West (285 CE -410 CE)
Collapse of West/Byzantine
East (After 410 CE)

The Roman
Republic
(400 BCE- 40 BCE)
1) A representative democracy
2) Originally run by Patrons
3) Many Offices
4) Elections required
5) Prone to Corruption
6) Prone to Bureacratic Red
Tape paralysis
7) Established by the law of
the twelve Tables

Roman Empire

Certain Individuals:

(40 BCE- 285 CE)

-The Republic was Failing. . .
To effectively protect Rome and
make it better.
To represent the interests of all
people

So Augustus began to hand power

down to his own chosen family
members. (a Dynasty)

Marius Lucius Sulla

&
Julius Caesar
persuaded the Senate to grant them IMPERIUM status
(emergency dictator powers)

With the understanding that those powers would be

relinquished after the emergency is over. . .
Sulla and Caesar kept their powers resulting in the two
separate civil wars.
Augustus was the sole victor after the civil wars and
held the Imperium for life (imperator-emperor). The Old
republic was restored in name only. Augustus held all
the political influence and military power

BARBARIAN PRESSURES MOUNT!

EAST/WEST
ROME
& COLLAPSE
(285 CE -410 CE)

Emperor Diocletian- Separates Rome into east and

west portions to manage it better
THINGS GET WORSE. . .SO
Emperor Theodosius- Makes East and West
autonomous, different empires

Main exports

Economics

Maritime/Interregional Trade
Importance of Egypt
Economic Collapse

Important Trade goods

Exports
Olive Oil
Glass
Linen
Wine

Import
s
Grain
Silk
Spices
Salt

Egypt was crucial

to Romes
economic stability

Maritime and Interregional trade

Indian Ocean & Silk Road
Roman merchants
set up Indian ocean and Silk road
trading posts!
Dyes, Spices, Cotton, Silk

Gandhara Buddha

Economic Collapse(300-400 CE)

Barbarian Invasion=More Legions needed
More legions=More money needed (equip,
pay)
What if there is no more money?

Diocletian and the EDICT of PRICES

Emperors simply minted more coins!!!!

1) Froze Prices

Problem=Inflation>>>>>>eventually

2) Froze Wages

HYPERINFLATION!

3) Temporarily froze occupations

RESULT: Black Markets, More devaluation
Constantine- Later Froze Occupations
FOREVER!
RESULT: Serfdom, Extreme Patron/CLient
Structure