Classical Greece and Rome

Classical Greece and Rome

I. Persia A. Heir to Mesopotamian traditions B. Conquest was a religious obligation (Zoroastrianism) preparing world for Day of Judgement this idea seems to link Persia and ancient Hebrews (and thereby Christianity and Islam)

II. Early Greeks A. Minoans/Mycenaeans 2900-1200 BCE B. Dark Ages - c. 1200-800 BCE

III. Classical Greeks A. Rebirth of Greece occurred at same time as new alphabet adapted from Phoenicians writing encourages civilization B. Divided, experimenting with different governments in their polis and art

III. Classical Greeks C. Fend off Persia (500-480 BCE), fell to fighting among selves D. Peloponnesian War Athenian defeat; short-lived Spartan victory E. All conquered by Macedonians Greek elements to culture; considered barbarians by Greeks

IV. Hellenistic Era A. Alexander the Great - Succeeded his father; very influenced by Greek culture (Aristotle was his tutor) B. Quickly destroyed much larger Persian forces of Darius and took over Persian Empire C. Claimed he was a god; adopted Persian royal practices merged Mesopotamian, Egyptian and Greek traditions

IV. Hellenistic Era D. Alexander died in 323 BCE E. Generals divided Empire Greek power and culture remained across entire region

IV. Hellenistic Era F. New mix of cultures appeared across Mediterranean and Middle East Hellenistic ( Greek-like ) G. Many cultures begin to blend their ideas with Greeks ex. Hellenistic Jews of Hasmonean state

Example: Diana of Ephesus

V. Republican Rome A. Minor city-state in Italy grows from 8 th c. BCE to Western Mediterranean power by 264 BCE B. 264 146 BCE Punic Wars turn Rome into Mediterranean heavyweight grow into Hellenistic Eastern Mediterranean

V. Republican Rome C. Entire Mediterranean world blended 1. Art Greek style, many themes 2. Entertainment Greek theater, Roman ludi 3. Culture Latin speaking in West; Greek and Latin in East 4. Religion Greek philosophy, Greco- Roman civic religion, Eastern salvation/resurrection sects

VI. Imperial Rome A. Republic can t take strains; empire rises 27 BCE B. Cultural blending continues; particularly religious - new religions form - ex. Mithraism, Isis cult, Christianity

Cybele (Great Mother)

Mithras

Mithraeum

Early Christian Imagery

Sol Invictus (Unconquered Sun)

VI. Imperial Rome C. Decline began by late 2 nd c. CE D. Politics 1. Groups pushed in to get a better life in Empire barbarian customs and dress increasing 2. Imperial throne fought over destroyed armies and ravaged land (28 emperors, 90 years 4 in one year)

Commodus, Pertinax, Didius Julianus, Septimius Severus (all in 193 CE)

VI. Imperial Rome E. Society 1. Slaves and serfs (colonni) almost all industrial and agricultural workers 2. Free population mainly poor and urban; lived on welfare and free entertainment (public baths, gladiatorial games, and chariot racing) bread and circuses

Colosseum/Circus Maximus

VI. Imperial Rome 3. Wealthy ruling elite (c. 1%) given to excess 4. Dropping birth rates Population was illfed, prone to epidemic disease, alcoholism, and lead poisoning; lacked hope and money. Men also lost significant potency from hot baths. 5. Situation ripe for salvation/resurrection religions to spread awful life plus easy spread of ideas

Baths of Caracalla

VI. Imperial Rome F. Why did Rome fall? Well 1. Truth probably a mix of many problems 2. To reduce it to one/two is reductionist 3. Many reasons can be presented

VII. End of Empire in West A. Constantine moved capitol to East 330 B. Rome sacked in 410 and 455; West fell apart into separate kingdoms (centered on settled groups that had been Roman troops) that merged Roman merger with Germanic culture C. By 476 Ostrogothic kingdom in Italy; Franks, Burgundians, and others in Gaul; Visigoths in Spain; Vandals in North Africa

Constantine the Great, c. 325 CE

VIII. Empire continued in East A. Wealthier and more stable economically and socially Eastern Roman or Byzantine B. Christianity adopted as official religion (380) intended to take place of old civic religion to hold together society

Hagia Sophia (Church of Holy Wisdom), Constantinople, c. 530

Emperor Justinian, c. 530 CE

IX. Legacy A. Art Sculpture, Architecture, Theater B. Thought Western Tradition C. Religion Christianity D. State formation in Mediterranean world and Europe divided and uneven