A companion to Greek democracy and the Roman Republic

The History Teacher, 1979

Overview This course will examine the history of Rome from its foundation in 753 BC, to its transformation into an Empire by AD 14. We will look at the idealism of the Republican political structurean idealism borrowed in 1776 to create the American Constitutionand we will trace Rome's transition from an insular polity concerned with local affairs to its undisputed mastery of the Mediterranean. The course will focus on key events in Republican history which came to define Rome's militaristic, aggressive identity, such as the Second Punic War. We will also look to more recent events as we discuss the role of corporate greed, failures in political morality, debt, and economic issues in triggering the collapse of the Republic and the emergence of a dictatorial monarchythe Empire. The continuation of this course is CLCV HIST 2905A, The Roman Empire, which will be offered in the Winter of 2016. Main problems, questions and themes These are some of the questions and problems we will consider throughout this course. Keep them in mind for your tests and essays. Rome. What did it mean to be Roman at various points in history? How did the Rome of 500AD differ from the Rome of 100BC? In what ways was the late Republic different to the early Republic? How did this affect peoples' perceptions of themselves as "Romans"? What is the legacycultural, political, legal, etc.of Rome to the world today? Historians and historiography. This course places a certain amount of emphasis on the writing of history. How do we evaluate the testimonies, histories and accounts of the Roman Republic? What are some of the main problems? How have pictures of Rome been skewed by other concerns, in both modern and ancient historiography?

Los trabajos que se incluyen en este libro son el fruto del Coloquio Internacional sobre el L u j o y e l P o d e r e n l a A n t i g ü e d a d organizado en la Universidad de Valencia a finales del año 2010 dentro del marco del Proyecto C l o t h i n g a n d I d e n t i t i e s . N e w p e r s p e c t i v e s o n Te x t i l e s f r o m t h e R o m a n E m p i r e

Political image-making -- especially from the Age of Augustus, when the Roman Republic evolved into a system capable of governing a vast, culturally diverse empire -- is the focus of this study. Explored are how various artistic and ideological symbols of religion and power, based on Roman Republican values and traditions, were taken over or refashioned to convey new ideological content in the constantly changing political world of imperial Rome from the fourth century B.C.E. down to the second and third centuries C.E. Religion, civic life, and politics went hand-in-hand and formed the very fabric of ancient Roman society. Visual rhetoric was a most effective way to communicate and commemorate the ideals, virtues, and political programs of the leader of the Roman State. Public memorialization could keep Roman leaders and their achievements before the eyes of the populace in Rome and in cities under Roman sway. A leader’s success demonstrated that he had the favor of the gods -- a form of legitimization crucial for sustaining the Roman Principate, or government by a “First Citizen.”

Papers of the British School at Rome, 2009

IN: Baker, P., Forcey, C., Jundi, S., and Witcher, R. (eds) 1999. TRAC 98: Proceedings of the Eighth Annual Theoretical Roman Archaeology Conference, Leicester 1998. Oxford: Oxbow Books., 1999

All empires need to consolidate their dominions, colonies or provinces and all therefore face similar problems of coercion, control and communication. This paper examines how Rome' s 'superior' role was manifested in local communities In order to tie them to the centre of the empire. Road building, architecture and art are considered more than just a practical necessity or a physical expression of 'imperialism'. They play an often pivotal role in 'materialising' imperial ideologies, and coercion, as the most visible means through which to present the Roman state, a social construction, physically throughout the empire. Moreover, imperial architecture, or political architecture, as we shall see, provides the setting for rituals, and especially rituals related to Rome. The scale and elaboration of monumental architecture, which exceeds any functional requirements, is intended to impress subjects by dispJaying the power of the centre. The 'centre'-that is the princeps, the senate, and Roman magistrates - actively promote this type of architecture, most apparently at places such as Athens or Lugdunum which were of major concern to the Roman emperors. All this underlines that urbanism, as promoted in the first century Bc/ AD was considered essential for the integration process. Imperial ideologies and hierarchy aimed at undermining local authority. This is characteristic for any 'new' state, because the ties with the centre need to be increased, automatically disturbing existing social geographies. With the emergence of the Principate, urbanisation, imperial ideologies and state/political architecture are promoted on an unprecedented scale. Throughout history, in periods of significant socio-cultural change the new social order has to be publicised, maintained and consolidated. This phase of intensive promotion is most visible in architectural terms. In regard to Augustus, this is not to deny that many developments and architectural forms had Republican predecessors, but the political will reflects an autocratic regime that wanted to indoctrinate its power all over the empire. Architecture is a tool that enabled the new regime to create a physical presence of the Roman State, while creating the stage for legitimating rituals. One can only speculate on the overwhelming effect of Roman architecture, especiaJly in the Roman West where monumental architecture of this scale was previously unknown - there, Roman architecture must have been considered intimidating and mirroring Rome's claim to eternal rule. But because Roman architecture had practical purposes, which intruded everyday life, as well as representing Rome, it was essential as a means to legitimise Roman rule.

1998