Hellenization & Roman civilization

Question 1

Hellenization def

Answer 1

Long-lasting phenomenon of spreading Greek lifestyle, mentality, culture, arts…

Question 2

The propagation of the Hellenic culture by (6)

Answer 2

(1) The Greek settlers/migrants
(2) Macedonians who conquered Greece and vast territories up the India, Mesopotamia and Egypt
(3) Alexander the Great and his successors
(4) The Romans
(5) The Medieval Byzantium
(6) The Renaissance European kingdoms

Question 3

Formally, the Hellenistic period ended in 27 BC when the Roman Republic transformed into the Roman Empire but the process of Hellenization continued until _______.

Answer 3

19th century

Question 4

Hellenization in the post-Alexander kingdoms. Where?

Answer 4

(1) in Thrace (part of Bulgaria + Turkey now)
(2) in Macedonia + Greece
(3) in Babylonia + Phoenicia + Persia + part of India
(4) in Egypt + Palestine + Cyprus

Question 5

What happened to Athens after the death of Alexander the Great?

Answer 5

Athens entered into decadence and recession. A new cultural metropolis emerged in the old city-port Alexandria (Egypt).

Question 6

At the time, what was the official language in Egypt?

Answer 6

Greek
Even Cleopatra spoke Greek
-> The Old Testament translated from Hebrew into Greek

Question 7

Alexandria

Answer 7

New metropolis. Everything (philosophers, mathematicians, physicians…)

Question 8

Roman Polytheism slowly replaced by ________

Answer 8

Greek-Roman polytheism (gods/godesses)

Question 9

Even with all this hellenization, the Roman republic was still promoting the ______

Answer 9

Latin language

Question 10

Beginnings of Roman civilization

Answer 10

• Rivaling, fighting tribes on the peninsula: Venette, Itali, Latini, Etruscans.
• Latini kingdom colonizes the Etruscan kingdom: Latini King Romulus founded a new city: Rome.

Question 11

Roman civilization - From Kingdom to Republic

Answer 11

• Etruscan usurper kills Romulus, the king of Rome. Etruscan dynasty takes power over the peninsula.
• The rape of a noblewoman (Lucretia) by the king’s son triggered a revolt by the patricians.
  -> Royal family expelled, monarchy abolished ⇒ establishment of REPUBLICAN SYSTEM

Question 12

Respublica etymology

Answer 12

Res = Thing; Publicum = Community
People’s government, First form of democracy

Question 13

The Roman republic (politics) was composed of ____ (3)

Answer 13

(1) Consuls
(2) Senate
(3) Assembly

Question 14

[Roman republic] Consuls def (3)

Answer 14

(1) Elected for a 1 year-term - extended in case of war, “dictator-saviour”
(2) Archons
(3) Executive power (aristocrats)

Question 15

[Roman republic] Senate def

Answer 15

(1) Group of aristocratic patricians
(2) Ex-archons
(3) Legislative power (aristocrats/patricians)

Question 16

[Roman republic] Assembly

Answer 16

(1) Forum of opinions representingthe plebeians, later, legislation
(2) Agora

Question 17

During the Roman Republic, what happened to the ancient Greek custom of vengeance exercised by the family of a crime victim?

Answer 17

Abolished.
Roman law: The state prosecutor and the legal court are in charge of justice

Question 18

From Roman Republic to Roman Empire

Answer 18

• Etruscan/Phoenician tribes attacked Rome (“Punic Wars” - Carthage)
• Roman Republic gradually expanded its influence. Growth based on conquest, slavery, and taxation.
• Roman Civil wars: Caesar proclaimed himself council-dictator for life (=/ period of crisis)
• Few months later, Roman senators assassinated him
• Power of Rome went to Marcus Antonius
• Then Octavian accused him of neglecting Rome/conspiring with Cleopatra and took the power. Defeated Marcus and took power.
  => Octavian self-proclaimed emperor: Caesar Augustus

Question 19

[Roman Republic] Army system

Answer 19

New army system based not on warriors acting on a voluntary/honorary basis, but as highly paid professional legionaries
-> Soldiers trained in military techniques, ethos of perfection, discipline, obedience, honour, patriotism…

Question 20

[Roman Empire] By who imperial authority was imposed on the distant provinces?

Answer 20

Pontius (during JC - Pontius Pilatus controlled Palestinian province)

Question 21

At the time of JC, what was the Roman situation?

Answer 21

• Large territory of Roman Empire
• Palestina was the territory belonging to the Roman Empire
• → Imperial autority imposed on the distant provinces by the pontius (during JC - Pontius Pilatus controlled Palestinian province)

Question 22

Roman Empire at the beginning of the 1st millennium A.D.

Answer 22

Decline.
- 2 Smallpox epidemics
- Destruction & brutal attacks of Vandals, Ostrogoths, Visigoths and Huns
- Partition of the empire into Western and Eastern divisions
- Gradual conversion to Christianity
- Signed Edict of Milan
- Leader of the barbarian Goths executes the last Roman emperor
-> End of Roman period, beginning of Medieval period

Question 23

At the beginning of the 1st millenium, what did the Roman empire do to attempt to consolidate the local defensive power?

Answer 23

Partition of the empire into Western and Eastern divisions
-> Quickly, the Western part went into miserable conditions (invaded by barbarians).

Question 24

Edict of Milan

Answer 24

Tolerange of all religions

Question 25

During all the wars on the Western part, what happened to the Eastern division of the Roman Empire?

Answer 25

Eastern part, with its capital in Constantinople, survived and even flourished as the Byzantine Empire (until 15th century!).

Question 26

Eastern division: Byzantine Empire

Answer 26

• Eastern part flourished as a culture (Byzantine) until 15th century!!
• New world in fantastic development (philosophy, arts, architecture…)
• Justinian, the Byzantine emperor, closed platonic school