tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29175545364070386262011-11-27T17:11:54.864-08:00A collection of banalities and trivialities.DJ Thomenoreply@blogger.comBlogger131100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917554536407038626.post-27711829824290383792008-04-29T11:25:00.000-07:002008-04-29T11:26:30.806-07:00Lessons for the U.S.? Some general analogies and differences between pax Romana and pax Americana<br /> (cf. http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,794163,00.html)<br /><br /> a. sole superpower; military dominance<br /> b. how to create a sense of unity or shared values/experience; e pluribus unum<br /><br /> 1. Rome: law, cult/ritual (civil religion vs. fundamentalism), creation of opportunities, mythologizing of role models; pluralism<br /><br /> 2. America: democracy (but are others ready?), individual liberty, creation of opportunities, mythologizing of role models, pluralism<br /><br /> c. "soft" vs. "hard" power: inspiration, values, culture - the issue of Romanization and Americanization<br /> (both are hybrids, hence have global appeal);<br /> pluralism and toleration as basic to superpowers (Amy Chua, Day of Empire, 2007)<br /> d. Obvious differences: technology, health and hygiene, educational system, representative democracy<br /><br /> Sage final perspective on decline and fall: "Instead of inquiring why the Roman Empire was destroyed, we should rather be surprised that it subsisted so long"<br /> (Edward Gibbon).<br /><br /><br />General perspective on Rome/America<br /><br />Few exact, simplistic lessons<br />revamping of first year program<br /><br />Lessons for US, look at historical experience and context<br />Roman influence as model for constitution, architecture, movies<br />Iraq conversation, age of "pax americana"<br />Neither invade and dominate under aegis of superpower<br />military dominance in both<br />Work through alliances between 198 countries in UN<br />arrangements with 132 of the 198<br />How does one generate unity through diversity, liberty, and individualism<br />Being 'roman' a "moving target"<br />dynamic definition<br />no cultural imperialism, but some necessity for continuity<br />"e pluribus unum"<br />What pulled Romans together?<br />Even under justinian and reunification: Law code<br />Did not mandate everything<br />Paul appeals to emperor, <br />When people live, they feel stability through legal system<br /><br /><br />No representative democracy<br />sense of participation in rome: religion<br />For rome, it is less about salvation, more civil religion<br />not invented by government, but keeps people involved<br />sense of belonging, involvement<br />Focus on fall empire should focus on how empire lasted quite so long<br />Many opened opportunities for people<br />economic social, etc. (esp in first three centuries)<br />US is a nation of immigrants, outlet for energetic, creative individuals<br />Interesting perspective: Romans like to mythologize their founders, role models<br />same take in US, George Washington's cherry tree, etc.<br />In current atmosphere, Ronald Reagan<br />We long for role models<br />Pluralism - Both societies, open to other influences<br /><br />How does one maintain this kind of leadership?<br />Not just hard power, (economic or military) "soft power"<br />Brainchild of Joseph Nye<br />Values, inspiration, and ideas are seat of power<br />promise of opportunity, (ellis island, etc.)<br />One cannot hold an empire with 300,000 troops and no culture<br />American cultural imperialism<br />culture not imposed on people<br />American culture exists as a hybrid, more a global culture, hence global appeal<br />Economic Terms: "Low cost of entry"<br /><br />Social glue: Pluralism<br /><br />Life-span extension through history<br /><br />Educational system<br />We're Privileged to get a University education today<br />Commitment to education, especially in C19<br />Educated citizenry the vanguard of the state<br /><br />Outlets for activity in the state and empire<br />difficult to be a stakeholder<br />Current system preferable to roman empire<br /><br />General perspectives, more than talking points<br /><br /><br />Essay Topics:<br />Both Essays on Julian<br />Caesar/Augustus/Julian<br />Personality<br />Policies<br /><br />What if he lived longer?<br />Assassinated after 3 years<br /><br />(Could have done the same with JC)<br />not trying to sanctify the guy<br /><br />How effective would he have been?<br />What about flaws vs. virtues?<br /><br />The Apostate<br />Fanatical about making things miserable for christians<br /><br />Compare to other emperors starting with trajan, hadrian, etc.<br /><br /><br />Second Essay:<br />More creative<br />Fact Based<br />Advisor to roman empire towards the end<br />Ananlysis and description of the various problems that need to be fixed<br />Solutions more than description to problems<br />Comparison (were thing better in C2?) Why are these things good<br />26 emperors, 50 years, then Diocletian and tetrarchy - Constantine<br />Pros and cons<br />How does one establish a sense of community within the empire?<br />Assess julian in this context<br /><br />Plan of action:<br />Outline<br />Talking points<br />Given flexibility, maintain balance<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2917554536407038626-2771182982429038379?l=djthome.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>DJ Thomenoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917554536407038626.post-57117982228347469352008-04-24T11:40:00.000-07:002008-04-24T11:41:29.559-07:00Nations rise & fall<br />Roman empire a huge entity, even by nation standards<br />(entire mediterranean!)<br />near east, britain, danube, N. Africa<br />looking for any single cause is silly<br />rather than analyze complexities, attractive to be reductionist<br />long history in analyzing Roman empire<br /><br />Physical causes<br /><br /> I. Specialist theories<br /><br />a. too much lead and you're dead<br />Pb.<br />Faunal analysis, looking at skeletons & DNA analysis<br />Sister city of pompeii, herculaneum<br />high lead content in 79AD<br /><br />samples from third century ~200 years later<br />(near lead mine in spain)<br />Insufficient sampling, 120 people<br />news headlines<br /><br />tradition to reduce to a simple answer<br />reductionist theories lacking in basic methodology<br /><br />Water never stands, always running<br />open trough style encourages Mineral Accumulation between lead and water<br /><br />Romans knew about the dangers of lead<br /><br /><br />b. too much hot bathwater and you're sterilized<br /><br />Popular establishments, like shopping malls, baseball parks<br />great place to hang out with friends<br />hot water affecting male gametes<br />decline of population<br /><br />Train Stations modeled on roman baths<br /><br />II. Some grand historical theories<br />(4 most influential)<br /><br /> a. Oswald Spengler: The Decline of the West<br />(After WWI) Context: WWI a shock to people all over<br />Tzars falling, many casualties, heavy burden of reparations in Germany<br />Connects doom & gloom<br />Popular Book at the time<br />Nations have Growth cycles, irreversible downslide<br />When did the productive side of rome end?<br />Answered: With conquest of carthage<br />Money as a chief culprit, moral subtext again<br /><br /> b. Arnold Toynbee: challenge and response<br />Won't see a historian like him again, a generalist<br />Endemic situation of overspecialized history<br />Toynbee asks how this process proceeds<br />A nation grows to meet challenges, crises<br />Toynbee says that ascent of a civilization is determined by ability to meet challenges<br />When they are unable to come up with adequate responses<br />A very dynamic history<br /><br /> c. Edward Gibbon: immoderate greatness<br />"Decline & Fall of the Roman Empire" 18th Century<br />Heart of 18th Century England<br />Genteel, plenty of time<br />Thesis: to 1453<br />Main reason is "immoderate greatness"<br />Empire grew too big<br />"Colossus on clay feet"<br />Why do Trajan and Hadrian do very well?<br />Not intended to be a parable of modern times, too simplistic: Some land not worth holding<br /><br />Proper administrative means and perspective, adequate management<br /><br /><br /> d. Paul Kennedy: imperial overstretch<br />"Rise & Fall of the Great Powers"<br />Yale Prof. 1989<br />Thesis: Imperial over-stretch<br />Things are going well, accumulation of territory<br />commitments made in the process<br />when a crisis hits, it's difficult to go back<br /><br />Roman empire was big, but not unmanageable<br /><br />How do you foster a sense of identity, shared values, and assumptions across the empire?<br />Is this a challenge that is too big?<br /><br />Counter over-stretch countered by cession of territory.<br /><br />Where are the boundaries in Africa?<br /><br /><br /> III. Gladiators in perspective (cf. Course Packet, pp. 199-203)<br /><br />Response to film, concept of entertainment nation<br />celebrating games too much to get any work done<br />one-sided interpretation<br />decline/fall not due to excess of attending games<br />Attractive element of roman life, hence success of film<br />Action scenes: violence in the arena<br />Compare to nascar, people attend to see crashes<br />Rugby, football, etc.<br /><br />The reason gladiator succeeded: titanic<br /><br /><br /> A. origins and development of games; some operative terms:<br /> pollice verso, missus, sine missione, ferrum recipere, habet!,<br /> Th(anatos)<br />Starts as performances at funerals of Roman aristocrats<br />tied to death<br />do all fights end in death? no.<br />prohibitively expensive<br />Many of these people survive<br />not an immediate death mission<br />very popular<br />as time goes on, stated decides to regulate it<br />public domain, state supervision<br />commercial situation<br />trainers, contracts with sponsors, etc.<br />not every day, some fight no more often than 2-3 times in a year<br />something that doesn't get in the movies: referees<br />Terms:<br />pollice verso: with the thumb turned<br />missus: mercy<br />sine missione: without mercy, fights to the death (not the majority of fights)<br />ferrum recipere: to receive iron<br />habet! (he has it)<br />Thanatos: Greek for death<br /><br />Very diversified<br /><br /><br /><br /> B. equipment categories (e.g. Thracian, retiarius); balance of protective<br /> gear and vulnerability<br />Some named after conquered roman nations<br />fulcrum/focus, things being concentrated in arena<br />some thracian, some Gaulian<br />Balance protective gear against offensive gear<br />There needs to be vulnerability, but not a cakewalk<br />requires considerable skill<br />trained professionals<br />Another category: Retiarius net and trident<br />1 v 1, teams, etc.<br />Executions of criminals done live before show in the arena<br />Mythological context, slaughter by Live animals (orphus)<br />Blood & Guts first, then more 'refined' fighting<br />Distribution, N. Africa, Italy, Gaul<br />Can retire, these guys belong to lowest level of roman empire<br />despite social status, wildly popular, known by name<br />Beast Hunts also popular, exotic creatures, again, scope of empire<br />Huge industry<br />Animals fighting animals<br /><br /><br /> C. the psychology behind it (Etruscans; cruel fathers; lack of expansionist wars, etc.);<br /> affirmation of Roman values: courage, death defiance, clemency;<br /> does viewing violence lead to violent behavior?<br />Inundation of violence<br />Field day for christian critique of roman empire<br />Blame etruscans<br />Typical upbringing of a Roman child is harsh<br />violence inculcated into children<br />Core roman virtues expressed in arena<br />bravery, clemency<br />threshold much higher than today<br />dying commonplace in society<br />lack of medicine, etc.<br /><br /><br /> D. Gladiator to the Max(imus): the essence of Roman civilization?<br /><br /> IV. The real deal: chariot racing - the Roman world’s premier attraction (see Course Packet, pp. 203-207)<br /> reality check: real chariots vs. 900 pound chariots in movies<br /> fan mania, incl., of course, Caligula; circus riots (Constantinople)<br /><br />More entertainment in chariot races<br />250,000 people in circus maximus<br />teams, fan mania incredible<br />riots! <br />flimsy construction<br />very vulnerable<br />up to 8 horses in front of a charioteer<br />More controlled violence<br />Large Fan Base<br />Tie in to modern interests in sports.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2917554536407038626-5711798222834746935?l=djthome.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>DJ Thomenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917554536407038626.post-2446383194704572502008-04-22T11:39:00.000-07:002008-04-22T11:40:48.774-07:00Building services dependent on private business<br />revenue and income linkage causes concerns over bankruptcy<br />more rigidity, freeze things, prevent mobility<br />Diocletian's edict of prices<br />Between 313<br />close to 200 laws restrictiong free flow of curiales<br />people frozen in positions and jobs<br />Not a very sophisticated system<br />mentality different from laissez faire<br />357 - Julian says<br />everywhere I travel as emperor<br />people beg not to serve on council<br />highest honor to burden<br />Didn't reverse economic problems<br />many people disappearing (like to monasteries)<br /><br />"What kind of factory would you not like to run?"<br />"A shoe factory."<br />"I mean everyone needs shoes, there's nothing wrong with that?!?"<br /><br />Gore Vidal<br />380 - Cults Outlawed<br />392 - Christianity becomes state religion<br />More classes in early christianity, religious dept.<br />Many hybridizations<br /><br />II. Division of the empire in A.D. 395 (Arcadius, Honorius); the empire strikes back: Aetius vs. Attila the Hun in A.D. 451;<br />the formal end in the west: Romulus Augustulus deposed by Odoacer in A.D. 476;<br />end of the eastern Roman empire: 1453 (fall of Constantinople)<br /><br />theodocius dies, empire formally divided into western and eastern empires<br />Western empire falls in 476<br />Eastern empire doesn't fall for another 1000 years<br />eastern empires had same issues<br />limiting legislation<br />basic difference, western empire attacked earlier more efficiently by goths<br />"The Roman Empire fell because the Germans invaded it."<br /><br />Atila the hun invades with big army, Romans defeat them<br />"If there's a will, there's a way"<br />Romans can still manage a major crisis<br />formal end of empire in 476<br />Romulus Augustulus about 14 (younger than nero!)<br />dysfunctional management team<br />guy winds up on the throne<br />They fire a good roman general<br /><br />No fundamental change overnight<br />different management team, the goths<br />does get more efficient a few years later<br />emperor theodoric in 493<br />Gradual change that would have existed anyway<br />not the same empire in 476 as it was in the first century<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />III. Transformation: Ravenna<br /><br /> Theoderic (A.D. 493-526); Justinian (A.D. 527-565); Baptisteries; Churches of San Vitale, San Apollinare,<br /> San Apollinare in Classe<br /><br />Justinian<br />Milan - Seat of the empire for a while<br />(then constantinople) <br />ravenna seat of western empire<br />goths take over<br />Attraction of invaders: ravenna still functions<br />Still use it as a capital<br />Justinian tries one last time to reunite empire<br />for a while, reunited under the aegis of the emperor in the east<br />Western emperor as a viceroy<br />Broke up, then dark ages<br />worldwide regression, torture, religious wars, etc.<br /><br />IV. Decline, fall, or change: some general perspectives<br /><br /> a. external vs. internal causes; Polybius (2nd cent. B.C.)<br /> b. overkill: 210 reasons; Santayana (no, he's not this guy); broad perspectives vs. narrow analogies<br /> c. diversity: multiple causes, regional factors, cause and effect (e.g. population decline)<br /><br />East v. West<br />Artificial divide, often overemphasized<br />many crossovers and continuity <br /><br />What happened in Rome (the city)?<br />The church becomes the <br />Church mimics organization of the imperial state in first three centuries<br />Many better organized as empire dissolves<br /><br />Flow of ever-rising christianity<br />Rome is still a symbol, sacked in 410<br />late antiquity - middle ages 40,000<br />(estimates of rome at its height 1,000,000)<br />Not flourishing<br />Analogous to athens after its defeated by the spartans (peloponessian wars)<br />lives on as a cultural venue<br /><br />Ravenna<br />Western roman empire<br />goths come in, still capitol<br />Architectural innovation likely independent of politicla changes<br />octagonal thing, preserved aisles of basilica, apses<br />Arius (Arian controversy) missionize goths that come back<br />2 types of christianity in ravenna<br />baptestaries (for othodox) and some for arians<br />columns, the city is known for a wealth of mosaics<br /><br /><br />Images<br />Compare to ariopagus<br />more form to the material portrayed in the decorum<br /><br />Basilica features<br />bell tower<br />procession, friezes made with mosaic<br />pictorial representations as substitute for literacy<br />illumination<br />Sheep, final judgement<br />Roman Magistrate - Pontius Pilate<br /><br />Emperor represented as secular route independent of papacy<br />title of pontifex maximus taken as title of papacy<br /><br /><br /><br />Arguments against various theories<br />Romans always believed they had problems and were falling back<br />Roman word for trouble is "new things" res novae <br /><br />at least 210 reasons proposed<br /><br />"Those that do not study history are doomed to repeat it"<br />Supposedly can use history for precise analogies<br />interesting parallel phenomena, but good as perspective, not a manual<br />look at Vietnam v Iraq<br />One needs to Look at more than secondary, tertiary phenomena (symptoms)<br />lack of good historical etiology<br /><br />VIIth inning stretch: the greatest chariot race of them all -- Messala vs. Ben Hur<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2917554536407038626-244638319470457250?l=djthome.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>DJ Thomenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917554536407038626.post-12903659323381982172008-04-17T11:43:00.001-07:002008-04-17T11:44:40.449-07:00Prologue: Julian as college student (pp. 126ff.)<br /><br />university life: Libanius; trivium (grammar, rhetoric, dialectic)<br />quadrivium (geometry/geography, arithmetic, astronomy, music)<br /><br /><br />476 a "meaningless date"<br />Image cautes (up) cautopates (down)<br />separate emperor latinius postumus<br />trained in roman army, capitalized on weakness of the empire at that time<br />set up shop by himself<br />2 successors<br /><br />Julian!<br />From novel: from 12-18, isolated from outside world, studious <br />inundated with religious propaganda<br />highlight scenes, episodes that characterize this<br />jesus a figure that projects compassion, forgiveness<br />Julian sees monks flagellating another for heresy<br />Compare to Nero: Destabilized by advisors in adolescence<br />ages of 12-18 a formative time<br />hanging out with brother<br />constant fear for his life<br />any visitors may be a death squad<br /><br />Gallus executed after Macellum<br />Julian under the radar, no imperial ambitions<br />Very stimulated in Athens<br />exposure to philosophy<br /><br />use as a springboard for cultural knowledge<br />C4AD: academia personality oriented<br />paid directly, can get a break by recruiting other students for a course<br />(large classes: more $)<br />professor a model for intense personal interchange system<br />"Trivial" material from trivium, grammar, rhetoric(speaking[also content: traditions, quotes, history, literature], important in oral society), dialectic (investigating truth of opinions through dialog, arguments, and reconciliation)<br />not general education, available to those who can afford it<br />social ladder<br />basic branches called 'trivial'<br />quadrivium - (geometry, arithmetic, astronomy[navigation], music[not just for culture, mathematical structure, pythagorean thm.])<br /><br />After constantius has eliminated those who are heirs of constantine<br />Julian given military command<br />not educated in tactics, strategy<br />successful command<br />popular with troops, they rebel<br />they march against constantius II<br />constantius dies beforehand<br />Julian now in power<br />works to stem tide of influence of christianity<br />intolerance repaid with intolerance<br /><br />administrator, general, etc.<br />success of parthenids <br /><br />Arianism<br />Julian calls christians to council, turn them against one another<br />squabbles reemerge <br />as pontifex maximus<br /><br />Adessa<br />Start expropriating property of established church<br />heads send embassy to julian<br />julian quotes scripture and argues for poverty<br /><br />Christianity:<br />Symbiosis between classical tradition and christianity<br />for julian, this symbiosis does not exist<br />tries to undo organic connection between the two<br /><br />Edict: Christians cannot teach greek/roman authors at university, etc.<br /><br />Key passage on p361-2, 4<br />Edict: they are using literature to subvert it to christian ends<br /><br />364<br />not everything authenticated<br />true to flavor of period, so valid source for essays<br /><br />amusing sequel this <br />Paragraph. 1 p 364<br />cannot teach homer aeneid<br />try to get around edict by rewriting old testament as series of greek(style) tragedies and plays<br />recast, rewritten as though greek tragedies and plays<br />afterwards forbidden<br />christians intent on maintaining contact with greco-roman tradition<br />Personality and assessment<br />'pagan puritan' - expects high moral standard, very Ascetic<br /><br />Potent<br /><br />christians provide hospitals, shelters, orphanages - gets converts<br />parallel to Hamas' humanitarian efforts (propaganda)<br />Philanthropy - loving people<br />Julian learns from this and imitates in policies<br /><br />Images:<br />Scene tries to resurrect pagan cult of apollo<br />priest a janitor, botched sacrifice<br />temple burns down<br />paganism being forgotten, lack of skilled personnel<br />Suovetaurilia - a hard tradition to resurrect<br />blood sacrifice don't take place every day<br />not all bulls cooperative, either!<br /><br />good reading/scene<br />can recognize julian by beard<br />philosophy<br />"Antioch makes 6th street look like a monastery"<br />writes satire about himself, beard hater<br /><br />Gaze from alexander the great, ethereal<br />Julian commemorates conquest of territory<br />military insignia<br /><br />controversy: one of his own soldiers (likely a galilean) assassinated him from behind<br /><br />Return to outline:<br />Answer to christianity, what does Julian tie-in with<br />cult of apollo, big movement, philosophical<br />last big answer of greco-roman tradition to christianity<br />neo-platonism<br />Plato's philosophy - everything visible a derivative of underlying reality<br /> ideal form for all things, not visible to eyes<br />special training<br />philosophers shall be kings and kings shall be philosophers<br /><br />Some mysticism to this movement<br />"Broad church of paganism"<br />Most intellectual:<br />plotinus 204-270<br />selective, highbrow<br /><br />pulled to street level, accessible here<br />Porphyry's anti-christian treatises<br />text criticism of old testament, hebrew bible<br />these texts not genuine<br /><br />Amalgamates with magic, seances, theurgy<br />god invocation, 'divine working'<br />(maximus & sosipatra)<br />Priscus a neo-platonist, close to julian, critical of maximus & sosipatra, who are also close to julian<br />Julian gullible, not just a rational intellectual<br />maximus executed for bad prophecy<br /><br />First trip to Constantinople, imperial palace<br />moves to combat bureaucracy<br />heck of an administrator<br /><br />Byzantine namesake<br />'Byzantine empire' in east when the west falls in 476<br />(divided in 395)<br />1000 years later, the eastern empire falls<br />(did the same things wrong & right)<br />invaded by more potent military (Ottoman Turks)<br />"Byzantine" now associated with bureaucracy<br /><br />This trend began under claudius (a bright guy)<br />laid down basic organization<br />various divisions/departments<br />many people coming into palace, relegated time<br />epistles - correspondance<br />a libellis - meaning in latin: a small book (petition to emperor) disaster relief, etc.<br />a rationibus - finance office (think rationing)<br /><br /><br />Hadrian comes in and expands this to a real civil service<br />no ex-military guys, more accountants, people educated in such things<br />emphasis on qualified civilians<br />root of civil service contrast with military service<br /><br />Under Septimius Severus, this turns around<br />(He had served in the military)<br />loaded up bureaucracy with ex-military<br />when in the army, one follows orders<br />civil service 'by the book'<br />dispensation/interpretation of laws <br />Heavy-handedness weighs on people<br /><br />Bureaucracy grows.<br />Oscar Wilde: “Bureaucracy expands to meet the needs of the expanding bureaucracy.”<br /><br />cubicularius - think cubicle, works in front of emperor<br />emperor sheltered from citizenry<br />limits discourse, communication<br />much like a chief of staff<br />distrust between government and people<br />agentes in rebus - secret police<br />agents in flames<br />less about spying, more about 'presence'<br />unpleasant living atmosphere<br /><br />Julian makes tentative steps to move against this trend<br />cut short by his assassination<br /><br />Continuing with julian...<br />(Will fall together on thursday)<br /><br />look carefully at events when he goes to Antioch<br />Antioch loves high life<br />christians opposed to puritan ascetic virtues, prefer carnality<br />julian's comedy of errors for resurrecting apollo<br />Church "Charnel Houses" (so called for Bodily remains)<br />Takes bones out of church, engages in ceremony<br />church catches fire<br />doesn't make for harmonious relationship<br />blames christians<br /><br />Attempt at a forced economy not working well<br />puts meanest administrator in charge<br /><br />overall: personality assessment <br />fanatic<br />confrontational, waves red flag<br />has a grasp of military and economic issues<br />likened to Don Quixote, 'out of bounds'<br />related hardships to abandoning pagan gods<br />stood for something that needed to be said<br />required modification<br />Death: marches against empire<br />successful expedition, dies in battle, wounded from behind (mystery for the ages)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2917554536407038626-1290365932338198217?l=djthome.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>DJ Thomenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917554536407038626.post-84428118472701273832008-04-15T11:44:00.000-07:002008-04-15T11:46:01.805-07:00Lecture 20: MITHRAS AND ISIS; FROM THE PRINCIPATE TO THE DOMINATE<br /><br />IV. The Age of the Soldier Emperors (a.k.a. Barracks Period): A.D. 235-284<br /><br /> a. everybody's turn: 26 emperors<br /> b. separatist movements: Gaul; Queen Zenobia of Palmyra<br /> c. more rigid class structure: honestiores, humiliores<br /><br /><br />Messy period in C2AD<br />On Julian: Read it!<br />Heads up on how to get the most from reading<br />C3AD<br />26 emperors in 50 years<br />strains things<br />not an immediate symbol of Roman empire falling<br />a 'big outfit'<br /><br />Streamlining the empire: Diocletian divides empire into regions<br />instability <br />large size <br />more than pockets of prosperity<br />various parts of empire effected by various ways regarding instability<br />economic implications: lack of complexity and integration prevents homogeneous situation<br />example: N. African prosperity<br />export of commodities<br />parallel to modern canada: not affected by sub-prime crisis, hedge funds by reliance on commodities, (oil, etc)<br />local/regional economies<br />can trade all over empire<br />roads, safety, communication<br />Olive oil produced in africa<br />exported regardless of ruler<br />disarray<br />initiatives to turn around the decline<br />regime looks at problems and issues and manages to fix it<br />reversed a serious downturn<br />not really the beginning of the empire<br />definitely an overstatement<br />No longer a hereditary monarch<br />not the best person as selected before<br />any commander can make a bid for power<br />some manage to hold on<br />encouraged a system of military autocracy<br />This disarray causes enemies to take advantage<br />Gaul (conquered by JC), big rebellion at this time<br />gauls separates<br />palmira, Queen zenobia stands against empire<br />beaten back in 270s by Aurelian<br /><br />Foreign/domestic policy interdependence<br />Whole system more compulsory, rigid<br />not as much latitude as before<br />leaders depend on upper classes who can finance domestic military campaigns<br />what develops over that time is a more rigid class separation<br />upper class called "Honestiores" (not necessarily honest) better treatment in courts, economic activities, government access<br />expected ton contribute to maintenance of cities, (no medicare, welfare for sick, orphans, etc. [exception: alimentary program, which stays])<br />lower class "humiliores" (humility) much more exposed to death penalty, easily incarcerated, corporal punishment, not very sophisticated system<br />roman society more structured in 'bad' way<br />(response to situation of chaos and disarray)<br /><br /><br />V. Restabilization: Diocletian and the Dominate (A.D. 284-305); dominus, dominatrix<br /><br /> a. tetrarchy: 2 Augusti and 2 Caesars<br /> b. streamlining of the empire; provinces and dioceses<br /> c. economics by decree: the Edict on Maximum Prices (A.D. 301)<br /><br /><br />How do they turn this around?<br />Someone comes to throne<br />not a dynasty, a regime<br />headed by general: Diocletian<br />look at this logically, too easy to create disarray, disorganization<br />Diocletian sets up system<br />not just 1 emperor, but 4 working together: tetrarchy<br />2 Augusti<br />2 Caesars<br />response to reality of assassination attempts/ coups<br />organization is haphazard, b/c of conquests, etc<br />incorporation of territory unplanned, doesn't make sense<br />action/threats are on frontiers<br />Rome ceases to be the capitol of the empire<br />Gaul, Dalmatia, Nicomedia, Rome<br />"map says more than 1000 words"<br />streamlined map, smaller provinces with clear dividing lines<br />from 40 provinces to 101 districts<br />easily administered<br /><br />Org list(geared towards dealing with real problems):<br />4 parts of empire<br />12 Dioceses (super-districts)<br />Administered by 'vicars' doesn't relate to religious organization<br />101 districts (not distributed evenly)<br /><br />Economic situation:<br />the Edict on Maximum Prices (A.D. 301)<br />put a freeze on prices, no more increases<br />president ford's anti-inflation policy<br />a last desperate measure<br />maximum prices for goods and services<br />price of shoe shine, flour, etc<br />enforcement very simple: beheading<br /><br />deliberate contrast to princeps, etc.<br />rulers calling selves domini, masters<br />Image: diocletian's self portrayal<br />tough guy<br />tetrarchs in one column<br /><br />for those interested in finance: 3-4 years after edict, debased the currency (alloy rather than pure metals)<br />cannot enforce a maximum price system<br />as a whole, system is effective<br /><br />How were first 4 chosen?<br />not democratically<br />by co-optation, existing emperors choose replacement<br /><br />III. Back to one-man rule: Constantine (A.D. 312-337)<br /> Power politics: vs. Maxentius (Battle of the Milvian Bridge in A.D. 312: in hoc signo vinces); Edict of Toleration in 313; Battle of Adrianople vs. Licinius in 323; Constantinople<br /> The emperor and the Christians: the Arian controversy: Arius; Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325; homoousios vs. homoiousios<br /><br />Segue to era of Julian<br />'the skinny': constantine starts off being one of 4 emperors<br />dislikes it, as expected and part of human nature<br />What happens: constantine gradually reduces opponents, becomes sole emperor<br />Julian is a descendant of constantine, part of family<br />father one of 4 emperors, constantine succeeds him<br />tied up with history of christian church<br />constantine's enemy: maxentius <br />constantine did not convert to christianity until he was on his deathbed<br />baptism, all sins all washed away<br />(he probably sinned a lot)<br />parallel to military attache to president in cold war: had priest stand by to baptize right before death<br />often confused: when battling maxentius, constantine had a dream<br />an angel comes and says that if you put a cross on the shields of your troops, you'll win<br />"In hoc signo vinces" puts cross on shields, constantine wins<br />constantine issues edict of toleration in 313: christians cannot be persecuted<br />constantine friendly in policies to christianity, but doesn't convert<br /><br />Christians immediately start fighting one another<br />infinite array of subdivisions, technical term: Schism (split, schizophrenia)<br />not a huge component of populace yet<br />christians organized<br />some fights lead to destabilization of cities and regions<br />12 years afterwards, he has to step in (even though not christian)<br />as pontifex maximus, calls council of Nicaea (in 325)<br />all about one letter<br /><br />father and son cannot be of the same essence<br />"homoousios" to be of the same essence (This is christian orthodox)<br />"Arius": Not of same essence, there existed a period without jesus<br />"Homoiousios"<br />Etymology: "doesn't make an iota's difference"<br />Constantine enforces orthodoxy<br />Nicaean creed<br />What happens to the others: tell Arians to get lost and leave roman empire<br />mixed success<br />Go beyond boundaries of roman empire<br />proselytize goths, when they invade, they carry these ideas with them<br />invaders with a different type of christian religion<br />Arian controversy<br /><br /><br />IV. Julian (331-363 A.D.)<br /> a.childhood and youth; Constantius II; Macellum; Gallus<br /> b.the liberation: Athens U (pp. 126ff.); university life: Libanius; trivium (grammar, rhetoric, dialectic), quadrivium (geometry/geography, arithmetic, astronomy, music)<br /> 7th inning stretch: Julian's home page in MySpace.com<br /><br />Julian not exposed to church of compassion, charity, loving, etc.<br />indelible impression<br />constantine achieves in secular terms what he wants, eliminates final opponent in battle Adrianople<br />moves seat of empire named Constantiniople (Byzantium) <br />moves whole of government there<br /><br />Images:<br />Head of a superhuman statue, symbol of Constantine's ego<br />huge hand<br />Constantine would wear christian insignia<br />experiences god as a lord of war<br />image: angel appearing to constantine, leads to confusion of story<br />going to rome today: arch by colosseum<br />association with Trajan and Hadrian<br />Mussolini's colonial office after conquering ethiopia<br />annual conference on world hunger<br />imposing <br /><br />Constantine builds largest basilica<br />huge remaining fragment<br />constantine associating with sun god<br />(like prima porta augustus)<br />gives self legitimacy<br />Trajan recut to be constantine<br /><br /><br />Constantine vs. Constantius vs. Constans<br />(high degree of constancy :-P )<br />all family members try to kill his children<br /><br />relocation of empire takes place late 320's to early 330's<br />Byzantine: convoluted system of bureaucracy<br /><br />Why relocate capitol ?<br />(Italian family)<br />likely egomania<br />strategic reasons<br /><br />Biblical codification and compilation still taking place<br />negotiations <br />Dan Brown: Constantine rules for 4 gospels<br /><br />myspace page has a good historical outline<br /><br />Julian and galileans don't really get along<br />Julian looks to stem tide of christianity<br />equal footing between cults and christianity<br />392 (about when book starts)<br />80 years later, paganism outlawed<br />Cults hybridize<br /><br />The Apostate: a person who renounces a religious or political belief or principle.<br />Orderly sequence<br />Constantius<br />Mother looking for real cross of Jesus<br />Constantius II - opponent of Julian<br />Julian and 1/2 brother Gallus<br /><br />living in desolate/ sequestered area of Marcellum<br /> no night life/ town<br />Julian 'educated' by christians - spewing hatred against one another<br />horses may signal impending doom, execution<br /><br />Julian has idea: go under radar, studies philosophy<br />gets out of there, goes to university of Athens, different life<br />freedom, student live, blossoms out<br />explores spirituality, inducted into mithraism<br />becomes a participant in theurgy: invocation of divine action<br />constantius picks him to be commander in the west<br />Julian goes out, becomes very successful general in late 20's<br />troops love/adore him<br />proclaim him emperor, marches against Constantius II<br />Constantius II dies, Julian becomes emperor<br /><br />likely one of the best historical novels ever<br />Well researched, can use as evidence<br />Scenes/descriptions of behavior vs. Christians, soldiers,<br />character<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2917554536407038626-8442811847270127383?l=djthome.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>DJ Thomenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917554536407038626.post-76723347737747141452008-04-10T11:43:00.000-07:002008-04-10T11:44:46.616-07:00Lecture 20: MITHRAS AND ISIS; FROM THE PRINCIPATE TO THE DOMINATE<br /><br />Roman empire as amalgam<br />supermarket of creeds, religion, races, cultures<br />few restrictions save for punishment of rebellion<br />Size of roman army ~300,000 people throughout early empire<br />comparatively small, could not be a police state<br />soft power vs. hard power<br />culture, people, ideas that reinforce dominance, voluntary<br /><br />I. Mithraism<br /> A. historical development; Zarathustra, Ahura Mazda and Ahriman; dualism<br /> B. the myth of Mithras; December 25; Sol<br /> C. Rome and the soldiers; 7 grades of initiation<br /> D. cult; sacramentum, taurobolium ;"baptism"<br /> E. shrines; symbolism: Cautes, Cautopates<br /> F. the revisionist view; VFW rather than religion<br /> G. strengths and weaknesses<br /><br />Specifics:<br />Dominant cults at that time: Mithras & Isis<br />Mystery cults: not giving of information<br />no first-hand accounts<br />initiation, etc.<br />‘echoes’ often hostile<br />christian sources, not objective<br />mithras a main competitor with christianity<br />Mithras portrayed as a parallel religion to christianity, but not really the case<br />Christian exclusivity a key feature<br />Reading of Julian:<br />Julian emperor in 361, rules for ~3 years<br />lecture 21<br /><br />Interlocution by Libanius<br />Letters<br />The apostate: literally stepping away from the true faith<br />Julian trying to turn rome back to tradition<br />initiated into mysteries of mithras<br />Still few sources regarding details<br />we need to reconstruct from pictorial representations<br /><br />Images: (What we know)<br />Progressing from East to West<br />Mithras mentioned for the first time in C15 BC, in indian sanskrit<br />takes on more functions<br />simply known as a deity of the oath<br />(unassociated with the sun)<br />the oath in latin (trans: “sacramento”)<br />Figure moves west, grows in Iran<br />hybridized into religion of Zoroastrianism<br />Focus on prophet of C6BCE zarathustra<br />Dualism: Struggle of good against evil<br />very little in between<br />5000 years of rule good, bad, representative<br />zoroaster a personal advocate to deity that makes a final judgement<br />emissary parallel to christianity<br />Ahriman - Evil deity of zoroastrianism <br />Ahura Mazda - Good deity of zoroastrianism<br />Reflection of divine light (soul) from ‘heavenly abode’<br />descends through the 7 planets, stays on earth<br />try and keep soul as clean and pure as possible<br />imperfections weigh soul down, ensure that there can be no return to the ‘heavenly abode’<br />reliance on inferences, images<br /><br />Mithras a god born from the rock<br />not virgin, carnal birth<br />born on December 25 (!)<br />Modern tradition centers around winter solstice<br /><br />Christmas not celebrated until about C4AD<br />Christianity took a festival already embedded in tradition<br />Roman Saturnalia festival - (Ancient boxing day)<br /><br />WYSISYG<br />First act to have a contest with the sun god<br />both become best friends<br />icon in Mithraic shrines<br />underground, 30-40 people<br />close band of brothers<br />a drawback of the cult, reserved specifically for males<br />however, not particularly “macho”<br />mithras recognizable for Phrygian cap (from asia minor)<br />cosmogony - explanation of beginning of the universe<br />mithras must kill a bull<br />blood comes down and fertilizes the earth<br />not a sophisticated religion, primitive<br />animals try and lap up the blood, prevent it from creating fertility and life<br />mithras engaged in struggle<br />Scheme found all over<br />one torch up, one down<br />cautes, cautopates companion figure<br />no mithraic bible<br />best guess: torch up meaning ascent to celestial abode<br />torch down, descent into underworld<br />excavated in 60’s and 70’s <br />found roman military camps<br />ostia - several mithraia<br />Cautes - up<br />cautopates - down<br />shrines found in soldier’s homesethos: struggle, effort, fighting bad-guys<br />initiation cult - 7 grades<br />lowest a raven<br />highest is the persian father<br />work up step by step<br />Parallel to military rank<br />small group, more easily controlled<br />much like VFW<br />outlet other than army for togetherness<br />Initiation<br />Tauroborium - ritual with a bull, bull’s blood<br />much speculation<br />symbolic thing<br />greco-romans would misinterpret religion, much as they did christianity<br />Symbolism within shrines<br />firmament, shrine, going back to celestial abode<br /><br />Revisionist view:<br />instead of looking at this as a big religion<br />what we have is a parallel organization to roman army<br />rituals, initiation, likely complementary to career in the roman empire<br />reinforces idea of a ‘band of brothers’<br />gives companionship, close association<br /><br />Especially so in Ostia, private houses<br /><br />Would appeal to a large segment of roman males, especially soldiers and emperors<br />Especially: Julian the Apostate<br />Relative level of sophistication and theology is lacking<br />too simple, does not compete with level of debate and theology of christianity<br />(father before son or vice versa?)<br />Image: Initiation grade: hat<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />II. A goddess for all seasons: Isis, the panthea<br /><br /> Osiris, Set; "Anubis" and the perils of Paulina; gentle companion to Cult of Roman emperor<br /><br />Isis a “bridge ofer troubled waters”<br />Isis: everything to everybody<br />comes from Egypt<br />myth: husband is killed by his brother<br />Osiris killed by seth<br />Isis reassembles husband<br />salvation, resurrection, etc.<br />one of the most popular cults<br />open to everyone<br />good flexibility<br />soothing ceremonies<br />Very acceptance<br />doesn’t require anything, can be passive<br />Isis is panthea - goddess for everything<br />can turn to isis for any problem<br />caring, nurturing female<br />Absorbed into christianity as the Cult of Mary<br />hybridized with any roman deity, Juno, Minerva, Ceres<br />perfect cosmopolitan clientele of Roman empire<br />protectress of imperial house, SPQR (senatus populus que romanus)<br />Isis reflective of tendencies in empire<br />ever-expanding amount of functions<br />can go to her with all your needs<br />Kinder, gentler companion to cult of roman emperor<br /><br />Sometimes, this cult is outlawed<br />Some priests helped a man seduce another’s wife<br />“Perils of Paulina” Wicked priests of Isis<br />Egypt to Greece to Southern Italy, Dalmatia, Germany, Britain, Spain<br />Shrines all over the map of rome (city) not relegated to one neighborhood<br />Better preserved in pompeii<br />in 63, there’s a big earthquake<br />all public buildings destroyed<br />prioritized reconstruction of amphitheater<br />then temple of Isis<br />Turned to private donors<br />freedman donates $, town council appoints his son in return<br />Panthea: Even after Tiberius kicks them out for Wicked priests of Isis...<br />2 buildings away from pantheon, huge temple of Isis<br />Columns, obelisks, many survive elsewhere<br />Isis integrated into greco-roman stylization<br />More Images:<br />Isis Symbols: rattle, Water jar<br />Isis hybridized with Venus<br />Artist’s vision of ancient rome<br />egyptian influence<br />baldness, sphinx<br />Huge number of finds, animal gods<br />Tremendous range in city<br /><br /> Interlude: Isis on youtube and MySpace<br /><br />“New age sort of thing,” still present in popular culture<br /><br /><br /><br />III. The Dynasty from Africa: the Severi (A.D. 193-235):<br /><br /> A. Septimius Severus (A.D. 193-211)<br /> B.Caracalla and his Edict on Citizenship (A.D. 212)<br /> C.Elagabalus, Julia Domna, Julia Maesa <br /><br />Selective Emperors beforehand<br />Marcus Aurelias decides to break this tradition<br />Assassinated<br />Caracalla - killed in headlock<br />Civil War:North African Dynasty<br />for ~40 years oro so<br />Arch in Roman forum, building activity<br /><br />Severus<br />military guy, active<br />dies in York, England in 211 during campaign<br />2 sons, caracalla kills the other<br />edict of caracalla: everyone in empire granted citizenship in 212AD<br />Why?<br />Not a big gesture of civil rights<br />“Money Talks” empire can now estate taxes on more roman citizens<br /><br />Elagabalus - another caligula<br />from the east<br />not in touch with roman emperors<br />wanted to marry a vestal virgin brought in strange cults<br />basic gist: dynasty dies out<br />not a real downturn<br />downturn comes after this: 50 years with 26 emperors<br />ranging from 10 days to 4 years at a time<br />‘revolving door’<br />will continue lecture next Tuesday<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2917554536407038626-7672334773774714145?l=djthome.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>DJ Thomenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917554536407038626.post-42657204391660690342008-04-08T11:39:00.000-07:002008-04-10T11:45:05.814-07:00From Lecture 18:<br /><br />IV . Christian doctrines and Greco-Roman thought<br /> A. monotheism; Xenophanes (6th cent. B.C.); Stoicism; the difference: a loving god<br /> B. God the son<br /><br /> 1. death, passion, resurrection: Asclepius, Adonis, Osiris and Isis<br /> 2. mediator: Dionysus, Mithras, Roman emperor<br /><br /> C. the Holy Spirit -- to hagion pneuma<br /><br /><br /><br />Basic Tenets of Christianity: Would it jibe?<br />Monotheism is established<br />Not introduced as being new so as to minimize marginalization<br />(Good roman tradition)<br />Monotheism definitely a part of the spectrum, "supermarket of religion"<br />New: "Ours is the only religion that is truen & right"<br />Surge of persecution<br />Best illustrated in Paul<br />Xenophanes (link) reacts against Homer's depiction of deities as being Human<br />Not what deities should be like, defines concept of monotheism<br />cannot picture, paint, represent<br />Difference more sublime, moves whole world with breath<br />concept of deity superior to homeric depiction<br />Stoics (Marcus Aurelias) - Comes after Alexander<br />Alexander Dies - empire divided into 3-4 components<br />People look for Consolation<br />Religion a response to this chaos, esp. stoicism<br />rhyme & reason - a deity's plan<br />Biggest downturn accepted<br /><br />Close to Christianity's Lord's Prayer<br />Intangible deity<br />Christianity picks this up<br />incorporates loving deity, compassion, forgiveness; personalizes<br />Personalizes it with this<br />Divine son dies, is resurrected<br /><br />Resurrection Theme already available<br />Asclepius - Deity of Doctors<br />Zeus angry at Asclepius for resurrecting someone<br />Adonis killed by wild animal - Venus stricken, saddened<br />Osiris and Isis - Cosmopolitanism of Roman empire<br />Isis a companion to emperor and imperial cult<br />Husband killed by brother set, diced<br />Isis reconstructs husband<br />Christianity traditional, but aggressive<br /><br />Mediator between Highest god<br />Mithras - popular w/ roman soldiers<br />"go to guy" stage between deity and mortals<br />priests act as Viceroy of god on earth<br /><br />Holy Spirit - Direct translation from stoic philosophy<br />breath of deity "to hagion pneuma"<br /><br />Objection to cult not based on tenets of faith<br /><br />Course Packet Comments<br />Acts of the apostles<br />Paul comments that<br />the Jesus movement not just there for the jews<br />Jesus is messiah for everyone<br />Opens it up<br />Jews & Gentiles (people of any tribe)<br />Acts chronicles how he goes to various cities in the east<br />establishing christian communities<br /><br /> p155 Basic concepts of the deity<br />17 - 24<br />Big "bump" at resurrection of the body<br />Traditionally, body is fairly polluted<br />Best thing is to preserve body<br />Soma = sema<br />Hold idea that the body is a prison<br />Anything bodily is harmful<br />Must keep soul clean<br /><br />19 Souvenir industry<br />paul talks about christianity, worries craftsmen<br />start riot, drive paul out of town<br />not shared universally across empire<br />persecutions a regional phenomenon except at end<br />realized that christianity wants to take over to the exclusion of others<br /><br />Corinthians<br />p 158 7:1<br />Being married not good, neither procreation<br />marriage not a commandment, but a concession<br /><br />Traditionally,<br />Marriage for procreation, not recreation<br />~62 times allowed in marriage<br />Many contradictions in new testament<br /><br />Images:<br />20 - 23<br />When all said & done, if your religion wants to be successful, you need a miracle worker just to be competitive with other religions<br />Sacred men can heal ailments, etc.<br />Jesus "out-miracles" everyone else<br />All miracle stories in new testament<br />Jesus represented with staff of the magician<br />Christ resurrecting lazarus<br /><br />Pictorial tradition<br />glass bowl<br />Jesus on right, resurrection again<br />Peter w/ staff striking water from rock<br />Persian sitting with staff<br /><br />from 9<br />Icthys (ΙΧΘΥΣ) miracle<br />sociology of early christianity<br />not just downtrodden, many aristocrats, etc<br />sarcophagus commissioned with illustrations from old & new testaments<br />Adam & eve<br />Jesus on Palm Sunday<br /><br />Graffiti around palatine<br />person on cross with donkey's head<br /><br />Circumcision not required for membership in church<br /><br />Pastoral scene<br /><br />Dome of catacomb<br />Image of good shepherd, from new testament<br />carrying sheep to safety, paragon of good-guy<br /><br />Representation of jesus alternates<br />roman emperor on throne with beard<br />beard a symbol of philosopher<br />deification of jesus in churches<br />Basilicas erected, type of official christian building<br />especially after being made state religion<br /><br />Last supper<br /><br />End Quote: Don't even think about evil.<br />Whole range of ethics and morality in religion.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />V. Some specific passages in the Course Packet:<br /><br /> 1. Paul at Athens: the body's resurrection (Acts 17.32) - p. 155<br /><br /> 2. Paul at Ephesus: economic resistance to Christianity (Acts 19) - pp. 155f.<br /><br /> 3. Paul on marriage and sex (I Corinthians 7) - pp. 158f.; cf. popular pagan moralists on soma = sema<br /><br />VI. At the everyday level: Jesus as the superior magician<br /><br />Instructions for devotees of Agdistis, 2nd cent. A.D.<br /><br />(Philadelphia in Lydia [Asia Minor])<br /><br />"Let men and women, slave and free, when coming into this shrine swear by all the gods that they will not deliberately PLAN any evil guile, orbaneful poison against any man or woman; they will neither know nor use any harmful spells; that they will neither turn to nor recommend to others norhave a hand in any love-charms, abortives, contraceptives, or doing robbery or murder; that they will steal nothing but will be well-disposed to this house, and if any man does or PURPOSES any of these things they will not keep silence but will reveal and avenge. A man is not to have relations with the wife or another, whether a free man or a married slave, or with a boy, or with a virgin, or to COUNSEL this to another . . . Let not woman or man who do the aforementioned acts come into this shrine; for in it are enthroned mighty deities, and they observe such offenses, and will not tolerate those who transgress their commands . . . These commands are set up by the rule of Agdistis, the most holy guardian and mistress of this shrine. May she put good INTENTIONS in men and women, free and slave alike, that they abide by what is here inscribed; and may all men and women who are confident of their uprightness touch this writing, which gives the commandments of the god . . ." <br /><br /><br />Lecture 19: Rome as a multi-cultural world<br /><br />First: Finish up Lect. 18, plus one more item:<br /><br /><br />I. Some general considerations on race and culture in Rome<br /><br /> 1. a. Romans always a mixed people<br /><br /> b. slavery and intermarriage<br /><br /> c. social vs. cultural prejudice<br /><br /> d. political vs. cultural imperialism<br /><br /> e. the initiative for acculturation; municipia<br /><br /> f. laissez-faire vs. indifference<br /><br /> g. blacks and others seen as strangers (externi) rather than inferiors <br /><br />The problem of historical relativism: the Christian ethics of submissiveness<br />Roman empire culturally permissive, but acts with an Iron fist<br />If Romans are being unjust, it's hard to protest<br />Centuries later, church acts to abolish slavery to change with the times<br />some issues are embedded in ancient context<br />Historical conditions have changed since foundations, christianity struggles to change, keep up<br /><br />Review of things covered before:<br />Roman empire an admixture of cultures, religions, and tribes<br />strong parallel to modern day america<br />multi-composite with plenty of religious freedom<br />mixing and hybridization<br />Tolerance lends strength and staying power to the emire<br />Thesis in Recent book on this by Amy Chang (Yale)<br />Italy - Romulus (Plutarch)<br />Aeneas <br />Portrayed as "A bunch of happy mongrels"<br />Household slaves generally in service for 10 years, then freed, their children become citizens<br />Slavery from all parts of roman empire<br />due to intermarriage<br />Augustus tries to curtail this<br />Slaves, freedmen, etc: Prejudice not really racial<br />Romans look at social prejudice more so than region<br />Ipso facto : By that very fact, racism doesn't need to exist<br /><br />in late republic: e pluribus unum<br />who is in charge of inculcating a sense of common roman binding<br />initiative from ground up<br />romanization in empire rooted in economic opportunities<br />people adopt roman culture willfully for social mobility<br />left up to municipalities, local upper classes<br />a 'moving target' even with architecture, styles vary and are hybridized<br />constantly fused with native traditions<br />leaves everyone with much space and self determination<br />Plenty of people seizing opportunity<br /><br />"Laissez Faire" approach to culture<br />not much emphasis on learning about other cultures<br />"Who cares?" Indifference, not much investigation of other cultures<br />(with some exceptions)<br /><br />With regard to skin color: not an issue whatsoever<br />not intimately bound with concept of slavery<br />"ethiopians" "externi" (from outside the empire)<br />not bound with inferences about religion, intelligence, etc.<br /><br />II. The voice of the Roman Bubba: Juvenal, Satire 3 (Course Packet, pp. 179-187)<br />Screaming head off about people who aren't roman<br />Juvenal a writer, C2 AD <br />upset that Rome a cosmopolitan city that doesn't embrace traditional values<br />"I'm fed up w/ rome"<br /><br />Diatribes about other people making rome unlivable<br />10^6 - 1.5*10^6<br />Man is bitter, poor, resentful, xenophobic<br />p 180<br />Honesty no longer a virtue<br />"89" line 5 cannot suffer a greek-struck rome<br />Sexual stereotypes - they hold nothing sacred<br />Junta of greek born secret agents<br /><br />catalogue of ills of the city<br />182 - Inflation<br />183 - Living conditions<br />Fire risk, insurance fraud<br />Street life - colossal traffic, noisy, unsafe carriages<br />184 - overloaded carts, muggings<br />Garbage, "etc" dumped into the street from windows<br />185 - Balance of war/ peace shifted, he's getting out<br /><br />overstated, but strong evidence that not everyone is happy<br />always blame somebody else<br /><br />END LECTURE 19<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2917554536407038626-4265720439166069034?l=djthome.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>DJ Thomenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917554536407038626.post-1835653752550285382008-04-03T11:38:00.000-07:002008-04-03T22:14:32.129-07:00Lecture 18: Early Christianity in its Roman Context<br /><br /><br />I. Christianity and pagan antiquity:<br />Class on rise of Christianity: Emphasis on how phenomenon is situated in Greco-Roman world<br />Not an adversarial relationship for a long time<br />Romans tolerant "supermarket of religions"<br />Gk & Roman civilization: Did not fight religious wars<br />(No Jihad, N. Ireland, etc.)<br />Intermingled people, hybridized "melting pot" analogy<br /><br />Pantheon (capitol p) Link: Quintessential roman building: Augustus constructed; Hadrian reconstructed: Figured out how to do domed structures<br />All gods under one roof<br />St. Peters Basilica<br />Altar columns from pantheon transfered directly<br />Symbolizes general attitude towards religion<br />variation with history, geography, live in a cosmopolitan world city<br />Cults (of Mithras & Isis) shrines side by side w/ Jupiter, Minerva, etc <br />Gk Etruscan cults<br />No big clash<br />Some pejorative <br />Christianity regarded as subset of jews<br />Didn't really stand out<br />reciprocal relationship<br />Christianity equally tolerant no "tabula rasa" (blank slate)<br />(Think what happened when that was tried in Goverment)<br />"Upgrade" operative word: We have come not to destroy, but to FULFILL<br /><br />Persecution & Martyrdom: Justin<br />Philosopher (of Plato) perception a reflection of unknown reality<br />divine logos (reason)<br />(How does logos contrast with stoicism?)<br />What happens to people untouched by Christianity<br />Automatic amnesty? punishment?<br />Conclusion: Always criteria, some universal, Christians before it arrived<br />continuity of morality<br />Logos is First word in gospel of St. john (in Greek)<br /><br />Image comments<br />Alcestis<br />Catacombs: underground burial places outside of Rome<br />(from beginning) First roman law: 12 tables<br />Don't bury w/i city<br />soft ground, can dig easily<br />cemeteries before Christianity<br />not places for hiding<br />theme of salvation apparent<br />Jesus as personal savior<br />Resurrection of Lazarus<br />Greco-Roman philosophy<br />Alcestis the wife of a Gk king who accepted to die in his place<br />wife dies, Hercules shows up 2-3 days later in palace<br />Hercules resurrects Alcestis<br /><br />Adaptation: Lion skin, halo, fending off dogs, christ figure on Right hand side<br />Pictures: where the real people go, approachable<br /><br />Under St. Peters basilica... <br />Mosaic<br />Pagan cemetery, Christianized<br />almost directly under altar<br />parallel to Statue of Augustus @ Prima Porta<br />sun god in sky<br />Instead, Jesus in sky<br /><br />Illustration of salvation themes from all over<br />from old testament<br />Jonah and the whale<br />swallowed but survives<br />(Plenty of vengeance in the old testament)<br /><br />Damaged stucco<br />Israelites escaping from Egyptians<br />Red sea parting<br /><br />Daniel and the lions<br />Lions don't eat him<br /><br />3 guys thrown into furnace<br />Nebuchadnezzar <br /><br />Fishes<br /><br />Lazarus miracle - resurrection<br /><br />#8 - ΙΧΘΥΣ <br />ησοῦς Χριστός, Θεοῦ Υἱός, Σωτήρ<br />Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior<br /><br />Roman Empire at peace<br />Period of tranquility<br />Unified empire<br />Held together by roads (technically speaking)<br />Primitive internet<br />Connection, no trade barriers, brigands, communication<br /><br /><br /> the general perspective; the pagan/Christian symbiosis:<br /> catacomb paintings, Justin Martyr (2nd cent. A.D.) and the Platonic logos <br /><br />II. Factors contributing to the rise<br /><br /> A. unified empire; Oikumené<br /><br />Roman Empire at peace<br />Period of tranquility<br />Unified empire<br />Held together by roads (technically speaking)<br />Primitive internet<br />Connection, no trade barriers, brigands, communication<br /><br />Oikumené - inhabitant world<br />as conquering, not trying to impose culture<br />cultural community "community of mankind" <br />things that bind rather than divide<br />Romans adopt this as imitation of Alexander<br />ecumenical - universal; promoting or relating to unity among the world's Christian churches <br /><br /> B. Greek language; koiné; Vulgate, St. Jerome (A.D. 348-420)<br />Koiné Greek - everyday Greek<br />not of homer, Aristotle, Archimedes<br />Good for trade<br />Latin Important for official stuff<br />Greek easily spoken<br />Books that survive (new testament) written in Greek<br />the vehicle of communication in the Christian community<br />Aramaic spoken in Judea<br />When one uses a particular language, there are specifi connotations and associations<br />even culturally, Christianity 'plugs into' common tradition<br />expressed in mindset already shared<br /><br />Vulgate - Latin translation of old/new testaments<br />way later; not until St. Jerome<br /><br /> C. St. Paul from Tarsus (in modern day Turkey)<br />Paul - good example of cosmopolitanism<br />by birth - Jewish<br />education - Greek<br />roman citizen<br />like Trajan, Hadrian, etc.<br />Knows audiences<br /><br /><br /> D. economic crisis and political instability in the 3rd cent. A.D. <br />C1, 2 both stable, prosperous<br />Not the best time for religions to spread (little thought on afterlife, etc.)<br />26 emperors in the space of 50 years, some for 2 weeks to 4 years<br />'revolving door'<br />destabilizing, but not going to hell in a hand basket<br />much progress for Christianity<br /><br /><br /><br />III The religious atmosphere in the principate<br /><br /> 1) no religious wars, but tolerance and syncretism (cf. Pantheon)<br />Syncretism - hybridization, putting things together "the amalgamation or attempted amalgamation of different religions, cultures, or schools of thought."<br />Many variations, Christians ultimately those that proclaim theirs is the only good one<br />Growth prompted worry about intolerance<br />root causes of persecution of Christianity<br />Christians don't want to syncretize; it happens anyway<br />Passion of the Christ - little character development<br /><br />gore deliberately done by Mel Gibson - Jesus' suffering under-emphasized elsewhere<br /><br />Much like gore of Normandy invasion from Saving Private Ryan<br />making up for earlier films<br /><br />St. Jerome translates Hebrew into Latin<br /><br /><br /> 2) the organization of the early church - a parallel universe to the empire:<br /><br /> presbyters,deacons, episkopoi, metropolitans, pontifex maximus in Rome<br /><br />"Better organization" to Christianity<br />setting up a parallel organization based on what they find in lives, cities<br />pope in Rome - major authority (parallel to roman emperor)<br />Pontifex Maximus - First Christian PM - St. Peter<br />Hierarchy followed by church<br />episkopoi - bishop "looks over things"<br />presbyters - elders<br />deacons, parish councils<br />definitely organized<br />amidst turmoil, they stand out for continuity of structure<br /><br /><br /> 3) Some reasons for persecution<br />Many misconceptions<br /> A. emperor worship and state cults; Christ vs. Antichrist<br />Emperor doesn't worry about torturing Christians<br />differing local practices, some Christians a problem in places, usually localized, based on misunderstandings<br />Roman Shared values, more than string of conquests - means for civic outlet: cult of the emperor<br />Symbol of civic loyalty, devotion<br />toast on emperor's birthday, social reasons<br />Christianity interject, deification of emperor strongly disliked<br />took much time to change this cultural tradition<br />Christian opposition to participation sometimes an issue<br /><br />Under Trajan, Christian in municipality refuse to participate in civic cult<br />"don't ask, don't tell" analog<br /><br /> B. illegal organization<br />Romans weary of illegal organization<br />UT Analog - many student groups, must register<br />Romans - bad overtones from republic, gangs in Rome, autocratic tradition, registration with local magistrate<br />Christians damned if they do, damned if they don't<br />an issue in some places, varying in enforcement empire-wide<br />house church<br /><br /> C. misunderstandings of doctrine, agapé vs. eros -- Agapé today<br />Practicing "love" erotic (carnal) vs. Agapé selfless love, sharing with others<br />Erotic, Eating body/blood of Christ, (cannibalism!)<br />Widespread Ignorance<br /><br /> D. Christian supremacy claims<br />One true religion<br />No salvation outside Christianity<br />no syncretization<br />pagans could see that Christianity could spell their end<br />firm resistance with this revelation<br />Constantine doesn't convert<br />313 - end of roman persecution<br />Christians start persecuting each other<br />392 - Christianity official state religion; paganism outlawed<br /><br />Diana image<br />Orientalized<br /><br />Temple of Diana at Ephesus<br />Afraid if Christianity takes over - souvenir trade jeopardized<br />local reasons<br />sticking point: Christian non-tolerance<br />atmosphere of religions<br /><br />*END* Mel Gibson's Flagellation of Christ<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2917554536407038626-183565375255028538?l=djthome.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>DJ Thomenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917554536407038626.post-69916681328962185272008-04-03T09:58:00.000-07:002008-04-03T22:15:09.573-07:00Mention of Augustus' title of Princeps: First citizen<br />Preservation of Republic<br /><br />Development of Empire<br />Not preoccupied with decline and fall<br />Focus on imperial culture as a whole w/ christianity<br />Mithras, Isis<br /><br />Historical novel: Gore Vidal's Julian (4C) Who tried to bring back paganism<br />(Also novel ca. Aaron Burr, etc.)<br /><br />Nero's last words "What a great artist the world is losing" and suicide<br />line of Caesar dies out<br />Julio-Claudian (Claudian via Livia) emperors<br /><br /><br /><br />I. The Flavians (A.D. 69-96): Vespasian, Titus, Domitian; Colosseum (= Flavian Amphitheater; vomitoria); Arch of Titus<br /><br />Civil war in 69 "The year before emperors"<br />Various contestants - generals of various armies<br />Vespasian - Looks like LBJ<br />Flavian Family (hence the name)<br />Responsible Emperor - not into fancy stuff<br />not much in the way of extravagance<br />look back to Augustan times for examples of restabilizing<br />Start dynasty<br />Titus rules for 2 years - Conquers Jerusalem<br />Both accepted very well<br />Flavian Amphitheater - Last paragraph of Suetonius: Nero honored after death<br />Second Son domitian rules - not an entirely good time<br />domitian a master builder<br />Rome very combustible<br />Reshaped building of rome, palatine, etc.<br />Doesn't have ability to communicate, involve senate, autocratic<br />many intellectuals exiled, persecuted<br /><br />Roman empire doesn't go to hell in a handbasket<br />Economics work just fine<br />Domitian Assassinated in 96<br /><br />Hereditary monarchy a real issue<br />Start appointing emperors for ~80 years<br />search committee<br />Gibbon - "Most happy and prosperous period of mankind"<br />Appointed good emperors<br /><br /><br /><br />Image comments<br /><br />Britain conquered under claudius<br />Danube Frontier contested<br />Preemptive conflict<br />Coin - Conquest of Judaea<br />"Ivdaea Afta" Judaea has been captured<br />Operated under system of client states<br />Not feasible for Judaea<br />Made province in 87<br /><br />Titus - pudgy, friendly<br />Shared credit for conquest in jerusalem<br />Arch of titus<br />Theft of menorah<br /><br />Colosseum subject to use as a quarry later in history<br />earthquakes<br />Facade<br />Elliptical<br />188m by 156m<br />50-60,000<br />doesn't compare to circus maximus<br />Big event still chariot races<br />One thing that never took place: lions vs. christians<br />(Still iconic)<br />Nero had made some open space<br />would have made a lake<br />Vespasian plans <br />Marble facing missing <br />Cut marble into slabs, used to make sheathing.<br />Interior - captured well in Gladiator<br />Good flow of people<br />vomitoria - entrances that chuck people out<br />(term still used in architecture)<br />Had retractible awning - hole in the middle<br />Beast hunts and recreations<br />beast hunts very popular - 'empire being brought to us'<br />Not called colosseum until C10, 'Flavian Amphitheater' until then<br />Big statue of nero outside<br /><br />Arch of Titus - Odd proportion<br />Concrete construction<br />Roman soldiers w/ captives, menorah<br /><br />Domitian - etymology of Palace from palatine<br />Not a very accessible palace<br />Narrow corridors<br />easily defended<br />Reclusive, careful, paranoid, not easily accessible<br />Reduces palatine hill and builds large ramp<br />Rearranges landscape<br />Solid remains<br /><br /><br />Return to outline:<br /><br />II. New Merit System: The Adoptive Emperors (A.D. 96-180)<br /><br />Orderly way - find best qualified person<br /><br />Can think outside political box<br />Could recruit university presidents - now just bring in $<br />People in Business<br /><br /> A. Nerva (96-98)<br />Head of search committee - dies after search is over<br /><br /> B. Trajan (from Spain; 98-117); biggest expansion and biggest forum; Column of Trajan<br />Not from rome<br />Romans from spain<br />Cosmopolitan, multicultural empire<br />Roman empire reaches greatest extent<br />Romans didn't hold every last province and client state<br />Some too troublesome to administer<br />Moved into mesopotamia, assyria<br />Same logistical issue (military) - outran own supply lines<br />riots behind army<br />after 5 years, withdraw<br />Complemented by wise, benevolent domestic program<br />hospitals and orphanages - roman state did nothing (matter for municipalities)<br />"Give something back" Wealthy expected to be benefactors<br />Trajan sets up system with private initiatives, supported<br />Alimentary program - nourishing program to give support to kids<br />Law - Outstanding jurists - putting opinions together<br />codifying decisions<br />Building complex<br /><br />Images: Odd physiognomy<br />"Big; Bigger" Largest forum in Rome<br />Shops, markets<br />Still being used for exhibits<br />Industry, conventions, etc.<br />Cut into hillside, concert use, etc.<br />(Performance of Julius Caesar)<br />Column<br />Chronicle - Danube frontier preemptive conflict<br />Sequence of 6 or 7 scenes<br /><br />Return to outline:<br /> C. Hadrian (from Spain; 117-138); mix of cultures: Villa at Tivoli; the Bar Khochba rebellion and the Jewish diaspora; Antinous; Temple of Venus and Roma<br />Successful<br />"What would you do?" as an emperor.<br />Central point: sitting in rome is not the solution<br />Spends half of time traveling around the emperor<br />Manager by wandering around<br />Encouraging informal interaction - productive<br />Secretaries, scribes, archivists, etc.<br />Morale is tremendous<br />Visit every corner of empire, contribute to local projects<br />Can hear any case that he wants<br />Accessible<br />Keenly promoting mix of cultures in the empire<br />looked at architectural styles<br />"Roman" is a moving target (like "American")<br />many contributions<br />sets up 'villa' (small town) at tivoli<br />Did not harbor any rebellion (crackdown at Kokhba)<br />Beginning of Diaspora as revolting jews kicked out<br />Antinous - homosexual lover of Hadrian<br />commits suicide b/c of prophecy<br /><br />Images<br />Hadrian builds biggest temple<br />Beards fashionable again<br />Antinous - soft curves<br />Villa - (Village) replica of roman empire<br />amalgam of building styles<br />when in rome, spent plenty of time out there<br /><br />Modern architects have studied this in great detail<br />How to create unity of different building styles<br />Dogleg scheme<br />Use this plan today in CA to accommodate different building styles<br />Maritime theater (misnomer)<br />etchings discovered C18<br /> <br />Return<br /> D. Antoninus Pius (138-161); the empire on cruise control<br />Total non-entity<br />analogous to calving coolidge<br />Inactivity<br /><br /> E. Marcus Aurelius (161-180); the Stoic philosopher, the Parthian campaign (162-166), and the Great Plague; his son Commodus, a.k.a. Joaquin Phoenix (A.D. 180-192)<br />Has to deal with inactivity of predecessor<br />Spent much time in the field<br />philosopher - stoic<br />Stoicism - deity has made plan for the world (the way it works)<br />When bad things happen, there is a purpose behind it<br />"Thy will be done"<br />Campaigned in bohemia, germany, deal with parthians (again) at great cost<br />Plague in Rome (not as bad as C14, ~10%)<br />Reverts to hereditary monarchy<br />Passes power to commodus<br />Opens door to contesting for throne<br /><br />Images - Replica statue b/c original is in a museum<br />Commodus models as philosopher<br /><br /> Intermission: Commodus suffocates Marcus Aurelius - not true, not true! (from Gladiator)<br />"Rome is to be a republic again" *smothered*<br />(END lecture)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2917554536407038626-6991668132896218527?l=djthome.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>DJ Thomenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917554536407038626.post-59885412752062886922008-03-25T12:45:00.001-07:002008-04-03T22:10:37.778-07:00Suetonius Notes<br /><br />1. Childhood<br />Lost dad at 16<br />Married Cornelia to have Julia<br />Caesar forced into hiding from Sulla<br />Foreshadowed doom to aristocracy in Sulla's quote<br /><br />2. First Military campaign<br />Alleged affair upon being dispatched and dawdling<br />Better reputation after success in battle<br /><br />3. Short service in second campaign<br />death of sulla<br />return to rome<br />Marcus Lepidus offered spot in revolution, caesar refuses for lack of leadership promise <br /><br />4. Civil disturbance quiets<br />Caesar taken captive by pirates on way to study at rhodes<br />Ransoms himself, gets retribution<br />interrupts studies to Proceed to asia to protect roman allies<br /><br />5. Serving as military tribune, supported reestablishment of tribunal authority<br />Personal favors<br /><br />6. As quaestor, gave eulogies for family members, wife<br />Connected ancestry to divinity<br />Replaces cornelia with pompeia<br />Divorced pompeia over suspected adultery<br /><br />7. Serves as quaestor in spain<br />Sees statue of alexander<br />asks for discharge<br /><br />8. mediated colonial demand for citizenship<br />easily quelled by stationed roman legions<br /><br />9. Caesar suspected of shady dealings with Marcus Crassus, Sulla, and Antronius<br />Caesar did not signal for conspired massacre<br />Caesar also suspected of dealings with Gnaeus Piso, ended by Piso's death<br /><br />10. Caesar as Aedile<br />decorated<br />put on shows<br />took all credit for joint productions<br />Put so many gladiators in one place that it spooked people, law passed as limit<br />(Wins goodwill of masses)<br /><br />11. Caesar asks tribunes for control of Egypt to replace deposed king<br />Aristocratic opposition<br />Restored triumphs revoked by sulla<br />found bounty hunters guilty of murder<br /><br />12. Caesar bribes man to charge Gaius Rabirius with treason (a friend's enemy)<br />Caesar judges by lot, sentences harshly<br /><br />13. Caesar runs for pontifex maximus through bribery<br />Great victory<br /><br />14. Caesar as praetor elect imprisons (rather than executes) revolutionaries<br />Cato (wanting execution) only wavers on the point when coerced by roman knights<br />(Ambiguous wording: Double check this passage)<br /><br />15. First day of praetorship: tried to change contract for capitol restoration<br />Resisted by aristocrats<br /><br />16. Caesar encourages seditious bills strongly<br />Caesar dismissed by senate, but continues to hold office<br />Threatened by physical force, rescinded claim to office<br />public gathering of people in support of caesar<br />caesar rebuffs, aristocrats thank and laud caesar, restore office<br /><br />17. Caesar named accomplice of catiline by Vettius <br />Caesar collects reward through cicero's testimony<br />Sentences vettius to prison for accusation<br /><br />18. After praetorhsip, given province of spain<br />Caesar quells resistance<br />Caesar foregoes triumph to enter rome as private citizen and run for Consulship<br /><br />19. Caesar allies with Lucius Lucceius as running mate (for the 2 positions) for funds<br />Plan Discovered, bibulus (opponent) gets similar funding from aristocracy<br />Cato: Bribery good for the commonwealth<br />Caesar chosen to consul with bibulus, given woods and pastures<br />Caesar negotiates peace between Pompeius and Marcus Crassus, form triumvirate <br /><br />20. Caesar's first act as consul: Senatorial proceedings should be published<br />revived old law of custom, old agrarian law; when adverse omens announced, drives bibulus into his house, where he stays for the remainder of the term<br /><br />Caesar has free hand in legislation "Julius and Caesar" rather than "Biblius and Caesar"<br /><br />Caesar bails out tax collectors, reprimands<br />Cato imprisoned<br />Caesar bribes citizen to "confess" about a conspiracy<br />to no avail, caesar has citizen poisoned <br /><br />21. Caesar Marries Calpurnia<br />Marries off Julia to Pompey, makes friends with pompey over crassus<br /><br />22. Support of new father in law and son in law<br />Chooses Gaul for administration, likelihood of triumph<br />Awarded all Gaulian principalities by trembling senate, even though recently divided into smaller regions<br /><br />23. Threat of Investigation at Close of consulship from Lucius Domitius<br />Preliminary investigation (arraignment of quaestors)<br />Not brought to trial for being out on public service<br />Politically secured over the year, through oaths and contracts<br /><br />24. Domitius threatens Caesar again as candicate for consul<br />Caesar ask Pompey and cassius to stand for consulship again<br />Caesar governor for Gaul 5 more years, raised gallic army with roman tactics<br /><br />25. Accomplishments in Gaul<br />Infrastructure<br />Attacked beyond Rhine<br />Invaded Britons<br />Defeated three times<br /><br />26. Lost his mother, daughter, and grandchild.<br />Pompey named sole consul<br />Caesar asks to run for second consulship after war<br />Caesar distributes favors, constructs forum<br />Gladiatorial memorial for daughter<br />Doubled pay of legions<br /><br />27. Caesar Marries off Octavia (his sister's granddaughter) to Pompey (Away from Faustus Sulla)<br />Caesar Grants loans to senate members<br />Sole, ever ready source of help to those in legal difficulties<br />To those he can't help: "What you need is a civil war"<br /><br />28. Similar gifts to world princes (Prisoners, etc.)<br />When all are surprised, Marcus Claudius Marcellus proposes that successor to caesar be named since gallic war is over, army should be disbanded, no account of caesar at elections unless he is present<br />(Response to Pompey's decree that did not except caesar)<br />Marcellus also moves to revoke citizenship granted by caesar<br /><br />29. Caesar now regarded as leading man of the state<br />Caesar Resists marcellus through vetoes and other consul<br />When Marcellus' brother (Gaius Marcellus) tries the same thing, caesar bribes to get political allies<br />Caesar Appeals to senate to keep armies or have all army leaders resign<br />Compromise: keeps 2 legions and cisalpine gaul or 1 legion and Illyricum<br />(until elected consul)<br /><br />30. Senate stubborn, doesn't interfere<br />Caesar Threatens war on senate for ignoring vetoes<br />Excuse for civil war<br /><br />31. Tribunes leave city<br />Caesar sends cohorts to disarm suspicion, attends mundane things<br />Departs by night on mules<br />Caesar crosses rubocon<br /><br />32. Divine signal<br />"The Die is cast"<br /><br />33. Caesar Crosses rubicon with army<br />welcomes tribunes that fled city<br />misunderstanding about promises to soldiers<br /><br />34. Account of successes <br />Caesar attacks pompey<br />Gains complete victory<br /><br />35. Caesar blockades pompey<br />Pompey commits suicide<br />Caesar attacks King ptolemy<br />Hard won Victory, turns control over egypt to cleopatra<br />Caesar goes to Syria (opportunistic attack from Pharnaces), wins in 1 battle in 5 days, four hours after sighting <br />Caesar remarks at Pompeys luck in his fame from attacking wussies<br />Caesar disposes of misc. remaining enemies<br /><br />36. No disasters for caesar in civil war except for lost lieutenants<br />Issue in doubt only twice<br /><br />37. Civil war over, caesar celebrates 5 triumphs<br />"I came; I saw; I conquered" with regard to speed of vctory<br /><br />38. Booty is distributed amongst soldiers, people<br /><br />39. Caesar stags plays, mock sea battles, athletic contests, gladiatorial contests, dances. <br />Circus lengthened<br />so popular, people were crushed to death in stampedes (including 2 senators)<br /><br />40. Caesar introduces calendar reforms<br />Leap years<br />Extra months<br /><br />41. Multitude of political appointments<br />Caesar limited jurors to equestrians and senatorial classes<br />Provided grain at public expense<br /><br />42. Domestic Reforms<br />Caesar holds people in italy after sending people out to form colonies<br />Limits travel of senators' sons<br />Citizenship for doctors<br />Did not abolish debt<br />prices before civil war for calculating repayment, deduct what's been repaid<br />(~1/4 of debt alleviated)<br />Dissolved (non-ancient) guilds<br />increased criminal penalties (confiscation!)<br /><br />43. Administration of justice<br />Extortionists dismissed from senatorial order<br />annulled marriage made the day after the wife's divorce<br />sumptuary laws<br /><br />44. Domestic Construction <br />Temples<br />Library<br />Highways<br />Cut short by death<br /><br />Appearance, character, dress, mode, conduct:<br /><br />45. Tall, Fair, Dull Face, Black Eyes, Healthy, (fainting fits and nightmares)<br />Clean Cut<br />Baldness<br />Wore Laurel Wreath<br /><br />46. Modest house<br />After becoming Pontifex Maximus: bigger house<br />Tore down house that he didn't like<br /><br />47. Gem collector, as well as other art objects<br />Said to invade britain for pearls<br />Collected slaves<br /><br />48. Controlling of personal accounts<br /><br />49. "Nicomedes" insult lasts throughout reign<br />only "stain" on chastity<br /><br />50. Seduced many women, loved servilia (mother of marcus brutus)<br /><br />51. Couplet jibe<br /><br />52. Love affairs with queens, esp. cleopatra<br />law drafted to allow as many wives as he pleases<br /><br />53. Drank little wine<br /><br />54. Unscrupulous integrity<br />sacked city that agreed to terms, opened gates<br />stole 3000 pounds of gold from the capitol<br /><br />55. Caesar eloquent in speech and in writings<br />Some suspected misattribution<br /><br />56. Memoirs on Gallic War<br />Last book unwritten<br />Simple in style<br />Said to be put together carelessly w/o regard to truth<br />Compiled notebook of letters<br />Banned publication of earlier works<br /><br />57. Skilled in arms, horsemanship<br />high endurance, headed army, often on foot<br />arrived often before messengers that would announce his coming<br /><br />58. Cautious vs. daring<br />personal inquiries into terrain<br />disguised as gaul, snuck through enemy lines<br />blockade running<br /><br />59. Not afraid of religion<br />Escaped Sacrificial victim<br />Fell: "I hold thee fast, Africa"<br />ridiculous prophecies<br /><br />60. Joined battle after planning, but also opportunist, element of surprise<br />would send away horses to hold ground<br /><br />61. Fancy horse<br />Got a statue<br /><br />62. Rallied army single handed<br />forced soldiers to face enemy himself<br /><br />63. Caesar negotiated surrender of cassius personally when caught without his army close by<br /><br />64. swam between ships keeping documents dry<br /><br />65. Valued soldiers for prowess<br />Disciplined commander, drills<br /><br />66. Would exaggerate claims of enemy strength<br /><br />67. Sharp on deserters and mutineers<br />freedom to party after victory<br />soldiers called "comrades"<br />fancy weapons made valuable so soldiers would hold onto them<br /><br />68. Dividends paid in civil war, offered horsemen, service without pay<br />Bore hard conditions<br />example: defeat at Dyrrachium, soldiers asked to be punished<br /><br />69. No mutiny during 10 year Gallic War<br />sparse mutinies during civil war<br />discharged legion in field with enemy nearby<br /><br />70. Dismissed 10th legion<br />penalized by loss of 1/3 of booty<br /><br />71. As youth devoted to dependents.<br /><br />72. Friends treated with kindness, would give up only shelter for friends<br /><br />73. few bitter enmities, forgave them<br /><br />74. Merciful in avenging wrongs, pirates crucified, but throats cut first<br />death without torture to poisoner<br />put away wife for sacrilege<br /><br />75. Mercy and self-restraint<br />Caesar recognized neutrality<br />Allowed his men to spare one member each of the opposition in civil war<br />No pompeian lost his life except in battle<br /><br />76. Thought he abused power and was justly slain<br />Accepted excessive honors, uninterrupted consulship, dictator for life, censorship of public morals, Imperator, Father of his country<br />July<br />Golden Throne<br />received/gave with pleasure<br /><br />77. Arrogant public utterances<br />rebuffed bad omen<br /><br />78. Caesar received honors without rising<br />chastised a tribune for not rising to him<br /><br />79. Contempt for senate<br />Thought to aspire title of monarch<br />"I am Caesar and no King"<br />Consul Antony's crown gift given to Jupiter<br />Said that Caesar should be crowned to conquer parthians<br /><br />80. This led to unified general conspiracy against Caesar<br />> 60 conspirators, led by Gaius Cassius and Decimus Brutus<br />Planned assassination for ides of march senate meeting<br /><br />81. Foreshadowed death of Caesar<br />Vase found while Breaking tombs for house construction<br />Spurrina's "Beware the ides of march"; caesar laughed<br />laurel torn to pieces in the hall by birds<br />Caesar's dream beforehand<br /><br />82. Caesar assassinated, hewn by daggers<br />to Brutus: "You too, my child?"<br />second wound to breast mortal (delivered by brutus)<br /><br />83. Caesar's will<br />included brutus<br /><br />84. Caesar's Funeral<br />Pyre<br /><br />85. Sacrifice made for a long time at Caesar's statue<br />"Father of His country"<br /><br />86. Failing Health, some suspected Caesar didn't wish to live longer<br />dismissed spanish guard<br />some say that Caesar's life worth more to the commonwealth than to himself<br /><br />87. Caesar didn't want a lingering death<br />would rather have one that's sudden and unexpected<br /><br />88. 56 years old<br />voted to close hall where he was slain<br />call 3/15 the day of parricide <br />no senate meetings 3/15<br /><br />89. Few assassins survived more than three years<br />condemned to shipwreck, battle, some killed selves with same dagger that killed Caesar<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2917554536407038626-5988541275206288692?l=djthome.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>DJ Thomenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917554536407038626.post-70836064075671042102008-03-25T11:35:00.000-07:002008-04-03T22:10:37.779-07:00Architecture Notes:<br />worship of upbringing in the country<br />peristile<br />atrium: open room with water basin; think fancy hotels<br />not a courtyard in the fully developed sense<br /><br />The people we Love to hate: Augustus’ Successors<br /><br />Important Points<br />Augustus is a hard act to follow<br />Not all romans live as the emperors<br />Private life of emperor of little consequence to populace<br />concentration of history writers<br /><br />I. Tiberius (A.D. 14-37); Sejanus, maiestas trials, Capri<br /><br />Lese Majeste: Lease majesty: to injure or to hurt<br />"Anti-first amendment"<br />Anyone who expresses himself adversely to roman leaders shall be subject to penalty<br />To hurt the majesty of the monarch<br />laws on the books, it is a matter of enforcement<br />Laws on the books since late republic, not enforced under Augustus<br />Augustan "Flak Jacket" against yelling, etc.<br /><br />Change of atmosphere and governmental style<br /><br />Sejanus<br />Sours situation with tiberius<br /><br />Roman army cannot cross Rubicon<br />no police force to maintain order<br />emperor has own guards (Praetorian Guard)<br />Commander of guard a confidant of the emperor, close friend<br />Band of thugs can intimidate political opponents<br />Sejanus: Praetorian Guard<br /> had own designs for emperorship<br /> poisons and kills heirs<br /> Plot Discovered and executed<br />Emperor withdraws to Capri, not in touch anymore<br /> If visitors not trusted, they would be tossed into the sea from the cliff<br /> Turmoil of the republic<br /> After death of tiberius...<br /><br />...<br />II. Gaius Caligula (37-41 AD); his horse as consul (A.D.39)<br />25 years old when he became emperor<br />Helped one of rome's most popular emperor<br />"little bootsie"<br />Crazy, loony, since loosely applied, does not connote physical illness<br />rhetorical overstatement<br />Not completely well adjusted, incestuous<br />Bridge from imperial palace to temple of jupiter<br />open contempt for roman institutions<br />ex: when someone dies in the middle of the year, emperor pro temps<br />appoints horse <br /><br />(Governor of TX from Uvalde appointed dead person)<br />"Caligula" worth missing as film<br />Emperor associated with pontifex maximus<br />control most of Mediterranean<br />Multinat'l multicultural<br />how to give a sense of unity to broad cultures<br />assassinated at 28 by praetorians<br />An awakening for the romans<br /><br /><br /><br />III. Claudius (41-54 AD); Messallina, Agrippina; Britain<br />open blinds to find slobbering man: Claudius<br />named emperor, has serious physical problems<br />stammered, shook, drooled<br />still not a bad emperor<br />under radar by being scholarly<br />knows issues of roman history in and out<br />progressive policies on citizenship<br />sense of unity among diversity<br />"e pluribus unum" in USA<br />Incorporation of Britain into empire<br />serial marriages, marries niece, she marries someone else<br />imperial secretaries run things for the most part, inform him that niece marries someone else<br />lack of communication, she gets executed<br />Marries Agrippina; she feeds Claudius a poisonous mushroom<br /><br />IV. Nero (54-68 AD); Seneca, Burrus; Rome burning and Christians: odio humani generis (Tacitus); Golden House and Colossus<br /><br />(Born to Agrippina) <br />Nero a "character"<br />explanation of psychology<br />must be genetic<br />Son of Lucius Barbarus and Agrippina<br />Nero in teens when Claudius assassinated<br />Set up group of three as guardians for Nero to prepare him for emperorship<br /><br />Argument for Upbringing<br />difficult period psychologically<br />rather than help, all parties compete with one another rather than work together for guidance<br />Agrippina<br />Seneca<br />Burrus<br />All try to pander to him and gain favor above the others<br />Insecurities mount<br /><br />Born to be a great artist<br />Upon death: "what a great artist the world is losing"<br />Singing, chariot racing, always has to win<br />Suetonius: Women pretend to be pregnant to escape stadium<br />pretend to have heart attacks, etc.<br />Accentuates insecurities <br /><br />Nothing admirable, really<br />mugged people<br />sexual perversions, even compared to romans<br />last chapter in Suetonious, shows that he was honored upon his death<br />illustrates instinct to respect outrageous<br />Statue of colossus, (Nero) etymology of colosseum<br /><br />Fire: Nero needed to clear land for open space, parks, lakes (site for colosseum)<br />Fire rages out of control<br />Nero Blames christians<br />odio humani generis for "hatred of the human race"<br /><br /><br />Image Comments:<br />Caesarian haircuts<br />"damnation of memory"<br />enemies of the state rechiseled to new form<br />Caligula repurposed to claudius<br />S C: Senate and consul<br />Nero: Singing about the fall of troy<br /><br />Golden house: park by colosseum, someone almost fell through rotunda<br />Octagonal, domed, intricate lighting<br />Wall decoration made into Craze for european wallpaper<br />Unique Architecture, likely stemming from Nero's artistic bent<br /><br /><br />Review Session<br />When it comes to essays<br />One centers around comparing Caesar and Augustus]<br />programs, rise to power, personalities<br />Suetonious, not most accurate scientific historian<br />Good source anyway<br />good amounts of personal detail<br />Characteristics, leadership qualities<br />attitudes towards superstition<br />Caesar not superstitious<br />lightning is just lightning<br />Augustus has whole chapter about respect towards religion, tradition in general<br />Augustus revolutionary, but works within the system<br />Similarities<br /><br />Essay on Aeneid<br />Reflection of roman nat'l experience<br />Values, ideals, ups, downs<br />Successes<br />Setbacks<br />Sacrifice<br />Conflict<br />Working through this<br />Theme: constant effort, no pain no gain<br />Relate to period being discussed, events and statesmen<br />Trials, civil wars, concepts in terms of leadership<br />Understand how he guides his people<br />How does he hold up and compare to the 6 emperors so far?<br />realities in pompey, caligula, etc. <br />Give specific examples from readings<br />personal aspects in Suetonious<br />Political programs<br /><br />Augustan Highlights<br />Suetonius: highlights personal life<br />Octavian until ch28<br />Sacrifice 300 senators<br />execute son in front of his father<br />later period shaped by taking revenge for death of adopted father<br />Battle at Phillipi Kills Brutus and Cassius<br />Negotiated return of roman standards<br />Imminent Domain<br />Owner didn't want to sell land for new contrtuction<br />didn't force it<br />Bringing back government of law and justice<br />Ch 21not quite true, expansion continues<br />tells tiberius that he should stop expanding (after ~40 years of expanding, himself)<br />Parallel to Washington and Monroe doctrine<br />28: rebuilding of rome<br />Not at same level as athens<br />now a shining city on the hill<br />43 & 45 man of the people: Circus Maximus 250,000 people<br />62+ have stuff on his family<br />Sore spot: No sons, exiled daughter( where she died)<br /><br />Julia: Treated as property<br />Julia Married to Agrippa<br /><br />69-72 personal habits: simple lifestyle<br />Simple clothes, food<br />Personal indiscretions minimal by roman standards<br />90-92 about superstitions, omens, oracles, etc. **VERY IMPORTANT**<br />Compare to Julius Caesar<br /><br />21<br />28<br />43<br />45<br />~62<br />69-72<br /><br />Julius Caesar the play<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2917554536407038626-7083606407567104210?l=djthome.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>DJ Thomenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917554536407038626.post-7964108599725312162008-03-23T16:29:00.000-07:002008-04-03T22:10:37.780-07:00Marriage Age 12-14<br />Parents Arrange Marriage<br />High rate of divorce<br />~5 pages in course packet on roman women<br />older guys married to young women<br />cases of widowers 40-50 with new wives<br /><br />Bad days to get married:<br />Mundus := opening from underworld ~ 3times during the year<br />May out<br /><br />Ceremonies overlaid with superstition<br />Plutarch's life of Romulus<br />Ceremony: Talasio!<br />tale of talasius being saved a sabine woman<br /><br />Girls giving up their toys as marraige rite <br /><br />Hair of women pointed as a spear bent when a gladiator is killed<br />Vast overstatement <br />Supposedly borrowed<br /><br />Ceremony: Key words that percolate<br />coemptio <br /><br />ubi tu Gaius, ego Gaia<br />Where you are Gaius, I will be Gaia<br />Submerging personality into husband<br /><br />Marriage a business affair<br /><br />Threw Walnuts (not shelled)<br /><br />Bridal torch rather than garter, bouquet<br /><br />Table Set up as 'educational materials'<br />juno (goddess of marraige)<br />Gainius (genetics) Inner self<br /><br />Purpose of marriage: procreation, not recreation<br />reason: High rates of infant mortality<br />Daunting to have children, good if 1/2 of children survive<br />Gracchae: 3 survive of 9<br />Inscriptions of the death of children heart-wrenching<br /><br />Similar to miscarriage<br /><br /><br /><br /> 3. children; contraception and abortion; misy<br />Abortion widely practiced, 22 medical writers 18 mention abortion (15 specifically); only 11 mention contraception. Infanticide practiced as a legitimate way to rid family of problematic child. <br /><br /> ancient views on the abortion controversy<br />Soranus, John Chrystostom quotes from web introduced in class<br /><br />Spermicidal applications used as contraceptives<br />Drink Misy (Copper sulfate)<br />Cedar Gum, spermicides, olive oil, sneezing, even in 'scientific' treatises superstition mixed in<br />Wear Liver of a cat in a tube on the left foot<br />Part of the womb of a lioness worn in an ivory tube<br /><br />Conclusion: don't have a clue about fertility<br />Little idea about medical etiology<br /><br />"Same medical implements as BBQ joint"<br /><br /><br /><br />Images presented<br />Hair styles of statues vary by century<br />To get statue select from 5-6 pre-made body styles, individualized hair<br />if made in person's 20's to 30's, can remove stone hairstyle to replace with a stone wig<br />Egypt shows variation in roman canon<br />women could become doctors, teachers, much of life still in house<br />Women portrayed in poses, posture, reading etc<br />Education available, women active in social life of cities<br />Tutors<br />Mosaic of running with weights<br /><br /><br />Divorce<br />happens if there is no more consensus<br />If fault of husband, return dowry<br />Husband is dominant factor in marriage in terms of property, etc.<br />(Kids considered property)<br /><br /><br />II. Some other ladies: lupae, prostare, concubinage<br />Prostare - "TO stand in front" stand out on curb soliciting<br />regulated, legalized<br /><br />Lupae - She-wolves (Prostitute)<br /><br />concubinage: sleeping with you<br />not same as modern usage<br />extra-marraital affair<br />legal practice there to protect inheritance of children from first marriage<br />in concubinage, children not considered legitimate heirs<br />'Concubinatus'<br />Dowry not involved<br /><br />Free Marriage<br /><br /><br /><br />III. Augustus' successors: general perspectives<br /> 1. Augustus a hard act to follow<br /> Tailored whole system to himself<br /> Romans never changed constitution (not written down, anyway)<br /> Augustus preserved republic, formally<br /> Characterized by caligula, nero<br /> Exaggerated reports of decadence<br /> Christianity a small speck in roman empire at this time<br /> Personal behavior doesn't reflect that throughout empire<br /> Business as usual in britain, north africa, spain<br /> Infrastructure set up, functioning<br /> 2. exaggerated reports of decadence; cf. Hollywood movies:<br /> The Robe [1953], Demetrius and the Gladiators[1954],<br /> The Silver Chalice [1955], Ben Hur [1959] <br /> Suetonious' portrayal of Nero entertaining, bring to class<br /> Not to that excess<br /> Not that many people<br /> Augustus doesn't have a son, daughter only<br /> Emperor from Claudians<br /> (Stepson)<br /> Not Augustuses (Tiberius)<br /> Empire not going to hell in a handbasket<br /> continues well into 476 AD<br /> 3. pro-senatorial literary sources<br /> Biased sources<br /> Written by those whose power had diminished<br /> Not as much of an elitist society<br /> More knowledge of lifestyle, etc<br /> 4. overemphasis on the emperor's personality<br /><br />IV. Tiberius (A.D. 14-37); Sejanus, maiestas trials, Capri<br /> Augustus' stepson<br /> Competent<br /> Military<br /> Agrippa's successor as general<br /> Issues: Augustus has 2 grandkids through daughter<br /> Gaius & Lucius, doted upon, die early<br /> "Cruel fate taken gaius and lucius Tiberius shall be my heir"<br /> <br /> Tiberius not as genial<br /> Whoever lessens majesty of roman people and rulers shall be subjected to severe punishment<br /> Senate Tribunal for this<br /> Vague, no clear guidelines<br /> (Contrast to Augustus)<br /> Trials for talk at dinner party, etc<br /> Squelches discourse<br /> Moves away to island, absentee emperor<br /> Reserved, Austere<br /> <br />V. Gaius Caligula (37-41 AD); his horse as consul (A.D.39)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2917554536407038626-796410859972531216?l=djthome.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>DJ Thomenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917554536407038626.post-11160061448444159432007-08-22T12:29:00.000-07:002007-08-22T12:34:33.269-07:00I've added the google analytic script to the page. Beware of upcoming posts about the readership!<br /><br />In full consideration, I openly embrace and welcome our Google overlords, so long as Yahoo and Microsoft try to compete.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2917554536407038626-1116006144844415943?l=djthome.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>DJ Thomenoreply@blogger.com0