Early Rome

From Monarchy to Republic

753-509 BC

Rome’s Foundation Fratricide

Immigration

Criminal Elements

Lecture Outline 1/15 Discussion of Monarchy (Part I)

Short Break (around 6 pm)

Gladiator Graffiti (Part II)

Beginning of Republic (Part III)

Titus Livius Roman historian

c.59 BC-AD 17

Wrote about the history of Rome from its foundation to 9 BC

142 Books, 35 are still in existence

Livy’s Methodology Explain history by

looking at the characters of people involved (p.34)

“I invite the reader’s attention to . . .”

Who were the men? How does the moral

decline occur? Learn from lessons of

the past

“The study of history is the best medicine for a sick mind”

“fine things to take as models, base things, rotten through and through, to avoid”

Romulus: Small Town Criminal or City Father?

Survival of the state over individual needs

Whether Mars is the divine parent or not (p.33), Livy encourages his reader to see how this “adds dignity to the past.”

Rome’s success dependent on divine favor

Gives you two different versions of Remus death

Can’t tell what really happened, so don’t judge it

Look at Romulus’ record as king

Rape of the Sabine Women

Romulus offers asylum to former male slaves, robbers and runaways

How to populate the city?

Seek women who can be married

Roman Men Want Classy Women

Suggestion comes to take slave women and offer them asylum

Not acceptable to Roman men

“the young Romans naturally resented this” (p.43)

Community Action Young men of

Rome abduct Sabine women

Deception is ok if you are responding to an injustice

Need respectable women to marry

War Breaks Out

Strong military action, followed by religious action

Dedication of Rome’s first temple

Result:growth of the city

How the Women Saved the City

“We would rather die ourselves than be widowed or orphaned.” (p.48)

“Thus the population of Rome was doubled.”

Story of Tarpeia Daughter of a Roman

commander Bribed by king of

Sabines, Tatius Promises her “what

they wear on their arms”

Puts individual needs before the needs of the state

The Capitoline Sabines are able to temporarily take

the citadel With the help of the Sabine women,

Rome is saved Put state before individuals

Romulus What were

Romulus’ intentions?

Did he act on behalf of the city?

What was the outcome of his actions?

The Kings of RomeRomulus Numa

PompiliusTullius Hostilius

Ancus Marcius L. Tarquinius Priscus

Servius Tullius

L. Tarquinius Superbus

Lucretia How do the actions of

Collatinus when he is with his soldier friends affect Lucretia?

“Never shall Lucretia provide a precedent for unchaste women to escape what they deserve.”

Other Men’s Wives Collatinus and the

other soldiers visit other men’s homes

They find the wives “enjoying themselves with a group of young friends at a dinner party, the greatest luxury.” (p.98)

The Roman Republic Begins . . .

Lucretia is the ultimate human sacrifice Life is out of balance in the monarchy Boundaries between public and private

are transgressed Sacrifice becomes the national

spectacle which unites the community

How did this king’s regime begin and end?

Tullia rides out into the public assembly after Servius Tullius’ death

Then Tullia hails Tarquin as king in public

Tarquin’s reign ends when he enters a private house and violates the modest wife within

The formation of the Republic

Libertas = freedom

Rome has laws, the senate, and its first temples

Brought to you by Romulus

Political Changes Romans feared that the lower strata of

society would take control

Livy cautions that political change must take place when the time is right

Community needs to grow first (p. 105)

The Plebeians Lower strata of

Roman society Can fight in wars

with wealthy privileged Romans,but have very little say in the government

Rebel in 494 (pp.140-2

The Patricians Descendents of 100

senators Romulus picked

Religious officials

Set laws

Cincinnatus Exemplum virtutis = example of virtue

Knew when to rule and when to go back to being an ordinary citizen

Interdependence between family and Roman state

Cincinnatus His farm is set off

from the city center A ship must take

him to the public part of the city

He puts his feelings for the state ahead of his paternal instincts

Mucius Scaevola Burns off his hand Declaration of

Roman citizenship Rejects private life

for his civic identity

Cloelia Hostage held by

Roman enemy Escapes heroically Returns to free

other hostages Romans honor her

with statue

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Horatius Kills his sister

Is put on trial for treason

Acquited when his father pleads for him

Exemplary Lessons There are moral difficulties in

establishing community Rome’s greatness is renewed by these

figures Impact of person on the state is the

measure of moral character

The Republic is always on the edge

of a knife

The Bourne Ultimatum