15 Introduction to Rome

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15 Introduction to Rome and Greek Games under the
Romans
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The Romans loved and hated Greek Culture

• ambivalence

The Romans admired painting, sculpture,
music literature rhetoric philosophy (Stoic)
The Roman despised political theory factional
politics democracy same-sex love nudity rhetoric p
hilosophy (Epicurean, Cynic)
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Geography Roman Italy and the empire
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Places to know in Italy
Alps Po valley Appenines Rome Pompeii
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More places to know Etruria, Latium, and
Campania (regions)
Etruria (Etruscans), eroded hills, volcanic
lakes mineral deposits
Latium, (Latins, Romans) open plains, Tiber
river, access to central Italy
Pompeii
Campania (Oscans, Greeks, Latins) Vesuvius,
fertility, ports,
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Campania
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Roman History in 3 minutes

• Regal Period (Latin, then Etruscan kings) 753
  BC - 510 BC
• Republic (self-governing, consuls) 509 - 31 BC
• Empire 31 BC - AD 460 (or AD 1456!)

Our evidence is mostly in the High Empire (1-2nd
c. AD) because it was the wealthiest period
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After the kings, Roman expansion very slow at
first
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Then fast Carthage (201), Macedon (196), Syria
(180)
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Why Rome succeeded
in expanding over the known world
(Brute force is not the answer the Romans lost
many battles, rarely wars)
- Latin and Italian allies shared in spoils of
war - Some conquered land was given to allies -
Territory annexed became part of Rome - Local
elites supported in return for loyalty to Rome -
Taxes on new territories or provinces often
reduced - Enforced peace brought prosperity and
wealth - Local cultures not suppressed if loyal
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Near-death in 1st c. BC
Wealth flowing in from rich East destabilized
Roman elite Civil wars, 133 BC to 31
BC Augustus 1st emperor, 31 BC claimed to
have restored traditional government, but built a
monarchy on top of it His dynasty reigned until
Nero, AD 68
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Values of the Roman elite
Dont make a spectacle of yourself!
Pietas duty toward parents, state etc.
Fides loyalty in promises obligations
Constantia steadfastness
Gravitas seriousness, worn on the outside
Dignitas justified sense of self-worth
all leads to AUCTORITAS respect that sways
opinion without using direct pressure
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Greek Gamesunder the Romans Empire
1. Growth in number of games to ca. 300 2.
Rise of professional athletes and athletic
associations 3. Emperors central mostly new
games in their honor (Kaisareia, Sebasteia,
Augusteia) sometimes they patronized new games
or founded them, like the Aktia of Augustus at
Nikopolis.
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Full-time athletes Titus Flavius Archibius
Olympia Capitoline Pythian Nemea
Isthmia

boys AD 94 ageneios
ageneios
mens mens AD 98 mens
pale pankr. mens AD 102
pankr AD 106 world 1st
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Archibius wins in regional games
Aktian Naples ???? Ephesus
Antioch

boys
pale pankr pale pankr agen. pankr
pale, pyx (ageneios)
pale, pyx mens
pale pankr pankr
pankr mens pale
pankr pankr
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Archibius active retirement
He got a cushy job in home town of Alexandria as
High Priest for Life of the Entire Xystos (track
club) All info comes from statue base in his
honor put up by the Loyal and Patriotic and
Reverend and Travelling Club of the Alexandrians