The Provinces Flashcards
Western Institutions and Customs
latin official language
hundreds of other languages spoken, some also written
local requirements necessitate local reactions
different types of settlements
magistrates and officials had titles similar to Italy
used roman legal system
similar structures in slavery etc
westerners become citizens sooner than easterners due to similarities
western exceptions
old punic cities - local titles/ bilingual exceptions
greek cities had some polis structures
pre-roman institutions
other places had really nothing until romans
Temperate western provinces
gaul, britain, danube etc
different pre-histories determined how contact with romans took place
in comparison with med provinces with long contact and urbanisation with rome
conquered by the julio-claudians
large military presence
Britain
colchester - veteran colony, very roman urbanisation
St Albans - pre-roman landscape, mixed cultures, driven by local and foreign agencies
London - trading settlement, ad-hoc based on trade from gaul, romanisation
all 3 attacked by boudicca
Gaul
iron age population limited but growing
caesars wars and augustan reconstruction
provincial low urbanisation but fairly prosperous
good climate, trade with britain essential
imperial cult used as sign of status and social mobility
links provincial elites and rome
North Africa
background of punic wars
most prestigious province to hold as governor
breadbasket of empire
carthage empire’s 2nd largest city
major export market
lepcis magna - colony, home of Sep. Severus
western conclusions
provinces differed greatly in institutions, languages and how urbanised they became
societies needed to deal with incorporation into empire in different ways
material impact of rome most obvious in cities - infrastructures
An Eastern Policy?
respect of existing institutions eg Greek language
Promotion of Greek Urban life
lots of pre-roman history eg alexander the great
densely urbanised environment
military presence on eastern borders with parthian empire
regional diversity eg in egypt emperor depicted as pharoh
religious diversity eg artemis
shared features of greek civic structures
political - magistrates, councils, assemblies of people
social - gerousia, ephebes
civic - greek language, mytholgy, athletics, theatre etc
cities - agora, gymnasium, theatre etc
eurgetism - elites putting money into local community to gain social prestige
Greek City under Roman Rule
urbanisation - new foundations in under-urbanised areas
increasing social inequality
decline of democracy
intorduction of roman culture - eg gladiators
new idea of rivalry between cities
use of latin, particularly in names
Examples of Greek Cities
Athens - destroyed by sulla, quick recovery, slow to take on roman elements, commercial base
Corinth - rebuilt form scratch by rome, looks hugely roman, but move back to greek culture
Sparta - not much left, agricultural not urban site, tourist spot
Roman Respect for greece
liberating of greek cities in early conquest of rome
certain internal autonomy granted
changes made to cities from 1st C BC
legacy of greek generals and monarchs
Asia
wealthy cities
ephesus - large, centre of arts and religion
aphrodisias - grew incredibly wealthy, lots of patronage
Egypt
cleopatra client queen then roman rule heavily taxed due to actions of antony and cleopatra senators needed imperial permission to go - possible revolt christianity becomes powerful incredibly multicultural special status of alexandria roman fascination with egyptian culture very different administrative structure
Sources
Pliny in Bythania - problems with governors and corruption - constant conversations with emperor
sources of patronage eg Balbus statue
