Rome: An Introduction
Dec 21, 2015
Rome: Timeline OverviewRome: Timeline Overview
• Ancient Romans migrated to Italy c. 2000 BCE, developed Neolithic farming
• Rome settled c. 1000 BCE (traditional date = 753)• Era of autocratic (Etruscan?) kings: traditional
dates = 753 – 507 BCE • Roman Republic = 507 – 31 BCE• Imperial Rome = 31 BCE – 324 CE• (Classic Golden Age = c. 200 BCE – 200 CE)• Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire = 324 - 1453
Roman Beliefs & ThoughtRoman Beliefs & Thought
• Religion similar to Greek: polytheistic, “childish gods” recognized, supported by state
• Elites absorb Greek philosophy, but this remains important only to minority
• Major Golden Age “faith” = Roman prosperity, achievements
• Various faiths (such as Christianity in CE era) usually tolerated as long as believers didn’t openly challenge Roman gods
Imperial Roman lifestyle: Very Urban
Imperial Roman lifestyle: Very Urban
Computer Reconstruction of Roman Street
Images of Roman CouplesImages of Roman Couples
Pre-Republican Era Etruscan Couple
Wall Mural at 1st C CE Pompeii
Imperial Era Funerary Busts