ROMEROME

FROM Republic TO empireFROM Republic TO empire

Roman Law of Nations

System of laws developed in order to govern a growing empire

Based on natural (universal) law– Standards of justice that applied to all

people– Based on reason

Due Process Property Rights Recognition of cruelty of slavery

The Institution of Slavery

Common form of labor in ancient Rome– Slaves were prisoners of war– Came from all parts of the empire

What did slaves do?– Built public works (roads, buildings, etc.)– Worked private lands of wealthy– Household workers (cooks, waiters, etc.)– Shop assistants, craftsmen– Gladiators– Greek slaves

Tutors, artists, musicians, doctors

Slavery, cntd.

Tough conditions – particularly laborers– Cheaper to work them to death

Revolts– Spartacus (73-71 B.C.)

Defeats several Roman armies with force of 70,000 slaves

He and 6,000 followers crucified

Roman Literature

Golden Age of literature – Augustan Age– Virgil writes the Aeneid

Poem meant to honor Rome Portrays Aeneas as the ideal Roman

– Virtues of duty, piety, and faithfulness

Symbolizes Romans divine mission to rule world

Roman Art

Adopted Greek style of sculpture– Embraced realism

Did not constantly pursue perfection like the Greeks

Roman Architecture

Embrace Greek architecture– Columns and square buildings

Introduce curved lines– Arches, vaults and domes

Use concrete on massive scale New methods in architecture allow

them to create larger structures than Greeks

Build networks of roads, bridges, aqueducts

Christianity

Spreads in Mid East region of empire due to:– Preaching of Jesus– Word that he had arisen from death

Spreads through empire– Preaching by apostles

St. Peter establishes Christian communities in Asia Minor (Turkey) and Greece

Writing of the Gospels (70-100 AD)– Teachings of Jesus– Disciples’ letters

Christianity, cntd.

By 100 AD– Churches in most cities of eastern

Empire Mostly of Jewish or Greek origin

By 200 AD– Latin-speaking peoples being converted

Western section of the Empire

Persecution of Christians

Romans thought Christians were harmful– Refused to worship Roman gods

Seen as treason – punishable by death Began under Nero (54-68 AD)

– Blamed them for fire that ravaged the city Cruel deaths (Coliseum)

Persecution lessens during second century– By 180 AD Christians are strong minority of

empire

Acceptance of Christianity

Rise of the clergy (Church leaders)– Bishops assert more control over

communities– Increased organization means rapid spread

Why rapid growth?– Appealing message to Roman masses

Individual worth under God Sense of belonging (strong communities) Spiritual equality (eternal life)

Constantine

Edict of Milan (313 AD)– Officially proclaims tolerance for

Christianity Recognizes its growing strength

Constantine baptizes– Becomes first Christian emperor

Does so right before his death

Emperor Theodosius makes Christianity official religion of Roman empire

The Division

Belief that empire had grown too large– Emperor Diocletian divides it into 2 (293

AD) Each region Diocletian rules West and ultimate

influence in East

– Eventually reunited under Constantine in 324 Creates new capital city in Greek city of

Byzantium Renamed Constantinople

– Will soon become center of Byzantine Empire

Weakening of Rome

Diocletian and Constantine govern over large bureaucracy– Large public servants (civil service)– Standing army of 500,000 men

Draining most public funds

No increase in population– Means no increase in tax base– Rome’s economic strength dwindling

The Fall

Empire divided for a second time– Rome capital of West– Constantinople capital of East

The Visigoths sack Rome (410)– Germanic tribe pushed South and West

by the Huns The Vandals sack Rome (455)

– Roaming tribe from Spain via Africa

Visigoths

Vandals

476 AD

Western Emperor Romulus Augusts deposed by Germanic head of army– Splits into series of

kingdoms Eastern empire

continues as the Byzantine Empire