People Flashcards
(111 cards)
1
Q
Nero
A
bankruptcy. Claudian and Julian. Actors/singers, didn’t want to be with the senate. Didn’t cause the fire, but profited w/new palace. Senate forms conspiracies, Nero gets rid of them. Terrible example to people in provinces .: revolts
2
Q
Seneca
A
advised Nero. Govt ran fine when he was in charge, bad after nero got older. Successful Parthian policy
3
Q
Corbulo
A
Invaded Armenia, drove Tiridates out. Led to war with Parthia. Let King of Armenia stay, but he was under R power
4
Q
Agrippina the younger
A
Nero’s mother, intended to govern for him. Killed her relatives, driven out by Seneca and burrus, killed on Nero’s orders.
5
Q
Tigellinus
A
Praetorian prefect for Nero.
6
Q
Poppaea
A
Married to Nero, used to be wife of Otho. Killed by being kicked by Nero when pregnant, shows how rotten he is
7
Q
Seutonius
A
provincial governor in Gaul, raised army but caught by rebels in narrow valley. But R army broke Celtic army, killed a bunhc of people. Killed other rebellious tribes, recovered R ctrl of Britain
8
Q
Tacitus
A
wrote about history, esp. about Seutonius taking over the celts and recovering Britain, pretty good description
9
Q
Gessius
A
Procurator, took $ from temple bc lower taxes, but this sparked a revolt in province. Syria tried to help, but didn’t have enough to take Jerusalem. Nero returned a few years later, triump for E campaign
10
Q
Vespasian
A
sent by Nero to stop revolt, but can’t really bc of …
Suppressed Jewish revolt, E legions proclaimed him princeps in 68. Wins a civil war w/little effort, only 18mos. Restablished order after facing 2 revolts (Judea and NE Gaul).
New type of ruler, from equestrian class Augustus fostered. mostly military man.
ended civil war, started new programs, new dynasty - flavians
11
Q
Verginius Rufus
A
led legion into Gaul, destroyed them. Troops tried to name him princeps bc loyal to senate. Came down on Vindex and his army.
12
Q
Aulus Vitellius
A
Replaced Verginius Rufus bc VR couldn’t pay off the guard.Proclaimed emperor by Rhine army. Fought Otho. Won at Bedriacun. Became princeps by Rome, but poor political sense
13
Q
Otho
A
Poppaea’s husband. Was loyal to Galba, but then Galba adopted somebody else so Otho got other people to make him emperor, Galba killed in forum. Made empty promises but people liked him bc he gave kisses
14
Q
1st Battle of Bedriacum
A
Otho only has a praetorian guard, loses to Vitellius in Italy. Vitellius is then proclaimed Emperor/princeps by Rome
15
Q
2nd Battle of Bedriacun
A
Vitellius’ comanders deserted him for Antonius, so Antonius wins. Vit surrenders but soldiers didn’t; Antonius takes rome in a street fight and Temple of Jupiter Optimus burns down. But Vit also supports batavians along lower Rhine, who refuse to disband after battle. Vespasian will suppress revolt (69)
16
Q
Titus
A
Son of Vespasian. Resumed siege on Jerusalem in 70. stormed outer walls and captured inner city, end the high priesthood and supreme council. Judea becomes a military province.
Produces 600-member senate w/Vespasian, weeding out and replacing unworthy senators. Replace aristocracy. Vesp and Titus take census, honest admin.
Takes over when Vespasian dies, gives disaster relief (beneficial ideology)
17
Q
Beneficial ideology
A
political idea, way to justify the position of the emperor. even though he has lots of power, he justifies it by being open handed (bread and circuses/roads/good public admin)
18
Q
Domitian
A
Younger brother of Titus, son of Vespasian. Terrible. No milit/pol experience, scary. Insists everyone be honest. Fought grain speculation to keep prices low. Incr R citizenship to Iberia. Concerned w/military. Raised pay of legions/
Then launched reign of terror against senate/aristocracy - feared plots.
19
Q
Agricola and Trajan
A
Vespasian’s advisors, kept by Domitian, honest and effective
20
Q
Flavians
A
Vespasian, Titus, Domitian. Concerned w/military affairs and soldiers. Frontiers - put indiv legions along frontier instead of large military camps. Expand empire into Britain and Agricola conquered Wales
21
Q
Danube Tribes
A
Marcomanni and Quadi - barbarians, german
Sarmatians - Persian
Dacians - thracian people, lived in Transylvania
22
Q
Decebalus
A
Recognized as king of Dacians by Domitian. Took bribes, promised to not revolt (first bribes like this to keep people calm), R help develop the city.
Defeated by Trajan, Dacians become a R province. He’s a client king
23
Q
L. Saturnius
A
Legion commander in upper germany, revolted and claimed himself emperor. Not enough pol support. R generals suppressed him
24
Q
Nerva
A
Domitian assasinated, he’s brought it by praetorian prefect, no military careers so no army support; legions upset. Popular w/senate bc he’s nice. Erases dom’s memory.
Creates alimenta - charity from gov. Poor farmers can borrow $ from govt, paid interest to their town, ben. ideol.
25
Trajan
commander in upper Rhine, became maius imperius and had power of tribune, adopted by Nerva to take over when he dies. Beg of cosmopolitan state for Julio-Claudians, 2nd fav emp after Augusus. General, got Dacians as new R province after defeating Decebalus.
Consolidated senate, courteous autocrat. Good govt, honest, alimenta
Took over Parthia. Civilization reaches territorial limit
26
Trajan's forum
built to celebrate wars of Trajan - basilica, colonnade, carvings decorated w/set of wars
27
Curactores
went to cities in fiscal difficulty, arranged by Trajan. Tries to reestablish a better system, a positive initiative
28
oppida
small villages, indicate a more complex gallic society. easier for casear to have control
29
Germanica
/
comitatus
by Tacitus, 98 AD. Writes history of the germans. comitatus - war vans of criminals; seems largely true. Professional soldiers who are more dangerous than avg peasants. Creates large aristocracy. Some tribes begin to elect 1-2 leaders in time of war. Trading w/romans.
30
De Bello Gallica
by Caesar. Good info on the germans, describes C's conquest of Gaul. Maybe not perfect, but decent
31
La Tene civilization
500BC - produced goods/metalwork, pottery on wheels, money, divided into tribes, aristorcracy, created a force (organization).
But then it all disappeares. Primitive stuff replaces central europe when germans expand into central eur. "lights go out"
32
Germans
NOT SEMI-NOMADIC. Mixed farmers. built hamlets, small villages w/wooden houses. Raised grain and kept camels. Settled agriculturally. But lousy soil, so smaller populations.
Emphasized cultura of war -> throw cowards into bogs. BUT: iron-poor, only use mass charge/flee, little govt for war org.
Families form clans thru blood relationships
33
Terra sigillata
Mediterranean, red glazed tableware - status symbol in germany. also shows how far civilization/trade extends
34
Minimalism
thinking that the ancients never developed any type of economy, that they only used natural fibers, making thigns from wood/mud/stone/glass/etc.
Convinced people lived dirt poor, close to consistence level
but they do admit there were merchants in the city
35
hinterland
smallest natural city-unit around a coast. City + agricultural hinterland forms a unity. Wealthy owned estates. Local trade btwn cities and hinterland
36
latifundia
big estates. Indicates that ancient society is not a slave society
37
Trade
coined money, food. cities small. some grow as transport centers. One economy, made of tons of smaller cells, probably insulated people from disaster.
but nonminimalist: city is a social center, cities are parasitic, not sites of primary econ productions. use artisans
38
where was the money, then?
Invested in politics, trade, etc. No inclined to invest in trade. mass poverty, put merchants in the city. Elites rich enough to buy luxuries
R end piracy, trade increases
R guarantees position of upper class, demand centers
Discover monsoon sailing
39
How does underwater archaeology help/
Knew there were merchants, but it was a social dead-end.
in seas, find large and heavy amphora, last a long time. Arranged like a cargo ship for wine/olive oil
Too many wrecks to account for normal losses. must be bult trade of commercial products.
- spread of terra sigillata, even for commoners
- air pollution in the arctic
40
Romanization
conquest of provinces leads to a complex process of econ development and social change. Latin spreads across hierarchy. Econ development stems from Rs buying stuff, civil peace in areas, navy campus on Rhine and other frontiers
41
Gladiators
Originated with ?:etruscans? funeral games? Livy?
Augustus and succesors put up amphitheaters and state combats. Usually slaves, but free men can volunteer. Terrible social status. Criminals, animals fighting. Might act out a scene
Terrorizing: uncertainty of life, stratify society, unequal power. Loss of empathy.
42
Hadrian's wall
across Thine gap. Beginning of gigantisism in empire (making really huge stuff)
43
imperial counsel
gives advice to imperator, created by Trajan. Emp at head of small but real bureaucratic govt.
44
Antonius Pius
161. 'Equanimity'. Fit into the succession
45
Marcus Aurelius
Adopted by Antonius Pius, intelligent, hardworking, responsible. Stoicism. BUT: not a good judge of people.
Fights germans and in the balkans, bc Danubian frontier collapsed. Mostly bc he went to fight Parthians. Long war, used lots of resources
170 - gets germans out of balkans and alpine provinces. Went to the root cause of the problem as he saw it, tried to annex homelands of the tribes
46
Varrus
Brother of M. Aurelius, brought on as co-emperor. Worthless and not trustworthy.
47
Avidius Cassius
General with Varrus, goes E to stop the Parthians. Captures capital, annexes Mesopotamia
48
Epidemic
R army catches epidemic, tons die. Bring disease back to medit basin, goes thru cities. Lose 20-33% of whole population. -> puts survivors in a better position after, more opportunities. But tax revenue down
49
Commodus
Son of Marcus Aurelius, follows him as emperor. TERRIBLE decision. Peace w/marcomanni, withdrew from new provinces N of Danube.
but then: end of 1st cent, Danube frontier more dangerous. Makes deal with Marcomanni so he can go back to R and chill.
Let favorites exercise power while he was a gladiator
killed by his household
50
Lucilla
daughter of M Aur, sister to Commodus. Tried to destroy Commodus, failed
51
Praetor Leatus
prob helped get Commodus killed. Arranged the new emperor, Pertinax. He had risen high in ranks of army, social mobility
52
Pertinax
support by praetorian guard, raised thru army, social mobility possible. He tried to reform everything after Commodus, but praetorian guard not interested and killed him too
53
Didius Julianus
'bought' the position of emperor from the senate, had some experience but not enough
54
Septimius Severus
legions on Danube declare him emperor over Did Jul. Was in Africa, marched on Rome, senate overthrew Did Jul.
**Civl War**
goes E to fight Niger, battle at Nicaea in 193. Follows Niger to Antioch in 194, beheads him. Made Antioch a village. Destroyed Byzantium.
Battles and kills clodius Albinus, praises moral severity of early proscriptions (kills some more people)
Reannexed mesopotamia, then sealed it.
Primarily an admin before his military career. Says R emperor is above law bc emp is the force of the law.
55
Clodius Albinus
Didn't like that Sept Sev destroyed Byzantium, says that HE is emperor. But legion on Rhine wouldn't recognize him. Battle; Severus wins and throws his family in the river.
**Civil War**
56
Sept Sev as a populous
Told judges to pay attention to petitions. Often sided w/provincials.
Made it possible to be promoted thru ranks in armies. Legionnaires could rise to centurians could rise to eques class -> democratized army
Army is privileged, raised their pay.
57
Augustine Histories
not very useful, talk about the 3rd century. like scripts for soap operas, hard to interpret
58
Factors that kill the empire
1. Army reforms of Sept Sev - made army more attractive, social mobility, its own force
2. Dangers along frontiers, new enemies attacking, organization of R not good enough
59
Caracella
Son of Sept Sev, killed his younger brother Geta after diving the palace w/a wall. Geta dies in mother, Julia Domina's arms.
Praetorian gurad okay w/C bc he raises pay
*212 - grant everyone R citizenship
Raised soldier pay, consorted w/them as equals.
Went to fight persians, killed by Macrinus
60
Macrinus
Killed Caracella in 217. Soldiers didn't like him, killed him and picked Elagabalus
61
Elegabalus
Julia Domina had a sister, Julia Maesa, who had 2 daughters. Convinced soldiers that her eldest daughter had an illegitimate son of Caracella's - Elegabalus.
Didn't care about empire, brought his cult from Syria.
JM got daughter and Eleg killed
62
Severus Alexander
JM convinced soldiers Sev Alex was another son. Soldiers made him the emperor, reigned for 13 years.
Better education, accordant w/R idea. His mom ran things. But insecure, lack of military reputation, killed
End of Severan dynasty
Army maintains imposters on throne for next 18 yrs
63
Maximinus Thrax
Emperor after Severus Alexander and army's emp.
Started as peasant, rose to high office in army. Aristocracy not okay with this.
Then, Gordian I, Gordian II, Gordian III. Max led legions to Rhine, was killed.
III fought persians, appointed new p.pre., then killed by p. pre
64
Philip the Arab
Appointed as praetorian prefect by Gordian III, when G's campaign failed, Philip killed him.
Sent elderly senator Decius to fight Persians in the Balkans. Decius proclaimed emperor, took over philip, died in fighting
65
Tribonian
After Philip, one of the legates, new emp. Killed by his soldiers
66
Aemilius Aemilianus
One of Tribonian's senators, won victory over germans. Soldiers proclaimed him emperor. Fought with Valerian, who was made emp by his soldiers, AA's soldiers killed AA when the army approached
67
Valerians
emperor by his soldiers. Fought and defeated Aemilius Aemilianus. Went to fight persians, appointed son to fight in West. Captured and killed by persians.
Son, Galienus, lasted a while. War w/persians and invasions by persians -> empire begins to fragment
68
Major revolts during Galienus
Son of Valerian. Faced a lot of wars w/persians. Also political revolts by Postumus and Odenathus, killed eventually by his own staff
Had revolts bc wanted to defend local provinces, since emperor couldn't do anything
69
Odenathus
Revolted against Galienus. Organized local forces to fight and drive out Sassanids. Created a smaller state of Judea and other areas. Attempted to defend local provinces given inadequacy of imperial govt
70
Inflation
Wars were expensive, didn't have money, couldn't borrow or issue bonds. so, debased coinage, dropping value. This just led to runaway inflation. Prices 14x and 25x! Very disruptive to all kinds of commerce, reduced to bartering. Taxes worth less than they were
Soldiers had to just take what they needed
>>create bureaucracy to supervise production of products
71
3rd century fall and savior
-everyone hurt by the plague
-cities shrink, lose population and move to other cities
-inflation, worst in commercial areas
-destruction near eur frontiers
Savior: R army > able to move up the social ladder
couldn't be ctrld by emperors, they promoted their own generals
72
Decurions
New group, collects taxes. 3rd cent emperors froze decurions in their positions. if your father was one, you were too. Gifts became an obligation bc empire needed self-administering cities. W/o tax, would fall
73
Claudius Gothicus
defeated Garrius , died of plague
74
Aurelian
Followed Quintiullus after Claudius, ruled til 275. Withdrew from Dasia bc it was exposed, ended indep state based on Palmyra, ended empire of Gauls, defeated Posthumus' army, built new wall around R, tried to restore currency. Then murdered.
75
Probus
after Aurelian, faces collapse of Rhine frontier. Drove Germans out of Balkans. Military situation. restores unity to empire, but not political stability.
76
Diocletian
Emperor Numerianus killed, Aper also killed, generals chose Diocletian as new emperors.
Germans and Sassanids still a threate, not enough taxes, couldn't trust army. But he reoganized R empire
makes it too hard for soldiers to have time to kill him. Thought like a soldier bc he was one
* created bureaucratic state. framework to link everyone to palac, bring tax $ to provinces
Increase size of legions, hard to defend frontier
* Made coins to pay army, introduced new census that re-did taxation...but caused inflation, peasants had to flee, price and wage controls didn't work and neither did taxes
* infrastructure to provide for army and state w/o recourse to market. stabilization members. pressure off, go back to old ways of living
77
Maximian
Appointed by Diocletian as co-emperor. Rules the W, Dio in the E from Nicomodea. * empire divided -> danger that troops would claim the general emperor.
Dio and Max adopt Galerius and Constantinus
78
Ancient religion
Ritual magic. Believed in anthropomorphic gods
- held power over imp things
- goal is to keep gods in a good mood, otherwise bad stuff happens. need to keep world peaceful
-requires people to honor them and to give sacrifices
temples in all cities, priests from local aristocracy (often elected), paid for sacrifices (ben. ideol.)
79
Temples
surrounded by trees, maybe arboreta. inside, testimonials from generations, art, spoils, zoo specimens, banquet rms, teach classes, sleeping places (incubation)
80
Why Christianity?
- explain fallacies of ancient religion (maybe/maybe not)
- but mystery religion still had spiritual payoff, existed before christianity (gives plausibility but not evidence)
- diff people just have diff spiritual needs
- constantine put force of R bureaucracy behind the church
* rejects claims of family in practical life. encourage people to devote life to religion
81
confessors
people who are christians, tell that they're christian even though it's illegal in 1st/2nd centuray. land in prison, have the highest authority. expected to enjoy it w/o pain
82
Need more study
```
Christianity
economy & society
Late roman state
Romanization
Milvian Bridge
```
83
Christianity adopted
1. christian morality - upheld moral views of the wealthy and powerful. value/charity/etc.
2. belief in afterlife
3. chuch has an organization. kept congregation together in tough times
converts at all levels of society, building big stuff to make people notice
84
2nd century persecution
Decius starts it. Didn't think christians gave enough $ bc they got vouchers for sacrifices
Diocletian told that soldiers took over the christians' abilities (?livers)
Dio resigned, so did Decius, Get Galerius in E and then Constantine in W
85
Constantine
Night before battle at Milvian bridge against Maxentius, dreamed that he'd win if he put a symbol on his shield, fought and won. Constantine beat Luxian,
86
Edict of Milan
Created by Constantine, 312, gives church legal representation
87
Constantine's rise to power
more able emperor than Diocletian. Actually listened to people, but cautious in religious policy. Dio's plan for succession didn't work, he allied w/Licinius. Const led army to italy, met Maxentius at Milvian bridge, won.
Maximinus helps issue Edict of Milan. says he'll kill all christians. Licinius marches against Maximinus, L wins.
C rules W, L rules E for a while
When Licinius dies, takes over E and unites empire, but doesn't convert to christ until his deathbed
88
Licinius
Gallerius proclaims him emperor, he rules in the East, while Const. is in the West. Beats Maximinus. Married Constantine's half-sister, allied w/Const at first
When he dies, Constantine takes over the unites empire
89
Maximinus
Co-ruler with Diocletian, but he made Max resign. Is father of Maxentius. After he leaves, Gallerius takes E and Constantius takes W.
Battles Licinius, loses
90
Maxentius
Son of Maximinus. In W, he controls Italy. Fights with Constantine. Defeated by Licinius and Constantine, battles Const at Milvian bridge.
91
Concept of Roman bureaucracy in helping church
Constantine puts force of R bureaucracy behind the roman church/christianity.
- build many churches in empire.
- gives churches agricultural land, start becoming rich
- charity: bishops get grain allowances to give
- church is equiv of person by law
- allowed to have civil courts
- clergy exempt from poll tax
- legalized celibacy
- sunday a holiday
* all designed to incr wealth/prestige of R church. Const kept spiritual advisors.
underground -> pampered
92
Fight btwn Licinius and Constantine
They were allied, but Const didn't have an heir while Licinius did?
Const led army into balkans, fleet under his eldest son Crispus, who cut off outside world w/fleet.
Lic captured and killed
Const reunited empire
93
Byzantium
Const says god told him to rebuild it. He calls it Constantinople. Has great harbor, potentially impregnable. Major city and safe - lots of rich people build houses there
94
Fractious church - Donatist heresy
| & Counsil of Nicaea (325)
Lots of varieties of christianity. Differences lead to disputes once it's safe to be a christian.
Donatist heresy - btwn hardliners and clergymen. Bishops in E fighting over the nature of christ. Const tries to settle, won't work. Created Council of Nicaea instead, 300 bishops come. Discovered they couldn't agree. Church has no govt so emp has to step in, but emp only has so much power over them
95
Political changes under Constantine
- Divides army into 2 troops, stations and mobile
- rapprochement w/senate. gave people equiv of senatorialship, made sen as gov of R cities
- Softened institution of slavery, limits corporeal punishment
- Christianity led to harsh laws in other areas of life; heavy punishments, exult virginity
- confiscates old temples -> anti pagan
- law bans public sacrifice on medit sea, but rarely enforced. Bur. gov is less powerful
96
Crispus
Son of Constantine. Accused of rape, tried and condemned b/c of allegations by Faustina (const's wife); she dies in steam at baths
97
"Regimentation"
Not quite what happened. but..
- Dio and Const did use it to reorg the empire
- bureaucratic, maintained by thousands of people. trying to support the army, recruiting
- peasants were tied to land, but free, less agency
- decurians tied to civic responsibilites
* * econ, cities, population all shrank. Alienation grew in countryside (mostly kinda)
98
gigantisim
Public buildings had HUGE internal spaces, up to 90-100 ft in the air. Literally dwarfing humans in the presence of these buildings
99
Constantius
Was ruling in the E when his father died. Then he killed most members of his extended family (except brothers) and his father's officials. So now they have no opposition + no good advice
In last years, planned to attack Persia bc king (Safir II) was starting war. But he didn't have enough resources, no Italy or W (in brother's hands)
100
Paul the Chain
a hatchet, an enforcer, for Constantius. He was super suspicious so hired spies to ctrl dangers seen in bureaucracy
101
Constans
Constantius took his land away. Now Constantius has all of the W. Constans was hunted down and killed, musta done something wrong. Magnentius now has the W and Italy
102
Julian (cousin of constantius)
Rival emperors pop up, Constantius gets worried. Family's all dead, so he puts Julian in power in the W as he goes back to E.
Julian supposed to be figurehead. Is educated in philosophy - won respect of army bc can sympathize w/struggles. Won respect by bribing alamanii over rhine. Honest admin, cut taxes 72% in west
361 fights Constantius, C dies before battle ends, Julian named emperor
103
Julian's policies as emperor
Takes privileges away from church, reopens tamples, proposed to create pagan priesthood. Doomed to fail. Believed in neo-platonism -> if you know a god's secret name, you can control him like magic
Invaded Persia w/army, Persians won't negotiate, 2nd army didn't come, pushed up Tigris and killed in a small battle
104
Jovian
Chosen as emperor after Julian dies. Got the army out of Mesopotamia, gave provinces back to Persia, restored church but didn't close temples. Dies. whoo.
105
Valentinian
Chosen as replacement for Jovian. Picked Valens, younger brother, as co-emperors. Sons of peasants, rose through military service to high positions. Sympathy for common people, try to lighten tax burden.
Different religious beliefs. Hardworking. Valent kept germans back in W, Valens in E w/persian danger.
106
defensor civitatis
Regularized by Valentinian. Helps citizens get around bureaucracy by allowing cheap lawsuits against tax officials
107
Gratian
Takes over after Valentinian dies after being successful with germans
108
Broken bureaucracy
People fight against bur., using bribery. Allows it to become corrupt. Emp of 4th cent have less power bc of bur. They lose control of civil administration.
Bad things:
- Dio's freezing decurians will ruin families financially
- Dio's tax scheme was bad, gave R gov ability to raise taxes, hurt NW europe, esp peasants - gave land back to landowner, rise of large estates. weak agrian econ
109
What happened?
| Huns / Ostrogoths
United nomads in the desert, steppe are dangerous. Excellent at hit and run warfare. Called "Huns" maybe from the Shunyu?
360, Huns go in E and defeat tribes. Rest of ostrogoths weren't smart enough (king killed himself) and fought and lost.
110
Visigoths / Battle of Adrianople
Visigoths - didn't bother to fight Huns, went S to frontier, asked for admission from Valens. He lets them in, they serve in R army. No infrastructure to support tons of refugees in balkans. Goths rose in revolt in 376, battle outside Adrianople with Valens and his comitatus. Serious loss for R
111
Theodocius
Emperor after Valens. Maybe built an army? Rebuilt by incorporating visigoths into comitatus. Theo fought 2 civil wars in West. Holes in R army, so he recruits more germans.
Dies, 2 stupid kids left, germans ready to take over
