Rome 1000 Years only 200 years of peace – Pax Romana Megalopolis International Culture VALUES: Practical Rational Hard Working Group.

Rome1000 Years

only 200 years of peace – Pax Romana

Megalopolis

International Culture

VALUES:

Practical

Rational

Hard Working

Group Oriented

Thrift, Honesty, Loyalty

Self-deprecating

Art’s main function – Entertainment, not Enlightenment

2 Major Periods: Republic & Empire

2 Foundation Myths

•Republican – Romulus & Remus•Hard Work

•Roman success more important than family ties•Imperial – Aeneas

1)Long-suffering2)Total dedication to destiny

Roman Cultural Timeline

Early Influences: 800 – 308 BC – North/Central Italy controlled by the Etruscans Southern Italy controlled by Greeks

Beginnings:

509 BC - Roman Republic established (Oligarchy)

Patricians – wealthy landowners (10% of population)

Plebeians – landless masses (90% of population)

Government:Two Consuls (Patricians) – executive heads300 member Senate (Patricians)Dictator (Patrician) – military leader in time of warTribunes (Patricians) – protectors of the Plebeians’ interests

Law: Twelve Tables – (Greek based, but on Draco, not Solon)

Land Ownership: Large estates controlled by Patricians As time goes on, Plebeians forced into virtual slavery Welfare system created out of necessity

Military:

Most organized in ancient world

Based on the Legions

Punic Wars (264-146 BC) vs. Carthage begins move towards empire

Most of Mediterranean / Northwestern Europe conquered

Citizenship offered to conquered peoples

Cosmopolitan culture develops

End of Republic:

Period of Civil War follows (130-45 BC)

Gaius Julius Caesar becomes Dictator in 45 BC but is assassinated

Empire:

Caesar’s nephew, Octavian maneuvers to become virtual Emperor by 27 BC

Bureaucracy established – so efficient that it can withstand bad rulers

Pax Romana (27-180 BC) – no major wars, stability throughout the Mediterranean

180 BC – death of Marcus Aurelius, last truly great Emperor

180-476 BC – Decline and collapse of the Empire

Growth of Christianity

Constantinople established – foundation of Byzantine culture

Etruscan Culture and Art {Etruria}

Origins in Lydia/Asia Minor?

Confederations of city-states ruled by warrior aristocrats

Control N.Italy for 400 yrs.

rule Rome for 100 yrs. until driven out in 3rd Century BC

Undeciphered unique language

Most of what we know is from their tombs

Pursuit of the good life Accused of hedonism by the Romans

Greek influences

Borrow nothing from the Romans, but huge influence on Rome

Religion –

Asian origins

Divination

Gods similar in function to Greco-Roman

Human Sacrifice – origins of gladiatorial combat

Art is distinctive – earthy, vigorous, sometimes homespun

Unique elements but also Hellenic & Hellenistic influences

Sculpture – Terra-cotta is their favorite medium, but also use of bronze

Painting – Murals

Strong, black-outlined figures with bright colors

Religious, Leisure, & Greek-based subjects

Jewelry – highly skilled goldsmiths

Architecture -

Cities - Rectangular, planned, fortified on hilltops

Greek elements in buildings – colonnades

used Atriums, Aqueducts, Bridges, Sewers BEFORE Romans