Unit 3: Roman Society and Its Organization - Study Questions Flashcards
Q: What were the main divisions in Roman society? What held it together?
A: Roman society was divided into patricians (elite nobles) and plebeians (commoners), with further distinctions among equestrians, freedmen, and slaves. Social cohesion was maintained by mos maiorum (tradition), patron-client relationships, and legal institutions like the Senate and assemblies.
Q: How did the Romans view people of different social groups? Of different nations? Of different sexes?
A: Romans saw patricians as superior but acknowledged plebeian contributions. Foreigners (peregrini) could gain limited rights, and citizenship was gradually extended. Women had legal restrictions but played vital social roles. Slaves were property but could be freed and become Roman citizens.
Q: When problems arose in Roman society, either socially or politically, how did the Romans deal with them?
A: Rome often resolved conflicts through legal reforms, military force, or political negotiation. The Conflict of the Orders led to plebeian rights, while social unrest like the Gracchi reforms led to violence. Political crises were sometimes managed by dictatorships or civil wars.
Q: What things happened in Cornelia’s life that made her proud?
A: Cornelia was proud of her noble lineage, being the daughter of a prominent Roman family. She took pride in her loyalty to her husband, her virtue, and her role as a devoted mother. She also emphasized her adherence to traditional Roman values and her blameless life.
Q: What about death causes the most sorrow?
A: The greatest sorrow in death is separation from loved ones, especially children and family. Cornelia mourns leaving her children behind and not being able to continue guiding them. She also expresses grief over the finality of death and the inability to change fate.
Q: Is anything expressed about the funeral rite to suggest whether there was a religious element to the rite or whether it was purely secular and private? Explain.
A: The poem references the underworld and divine judgment, suggesting religious elements in the funeral rite. Cornelia hopes for a just afterlife, indicating a belief in moral evaluation after death. However, her focus is on family and legacy, showing a mix of personal and religious significance.
Q: What female characteristics are most important, as expressed in this poem?
A: The poem emphasizes virtues like chastity, loyalty, modesty, and devotion to family. Cornelia takes pride in her role as a faithful wife and loving mother. Her conduct aligns with traditional Roman ideals of female virtue.
Q: What elements of Roman society are presented in this poem? What do the members of this group do for work and amusement?
A: The poem reflects the Roman aristocracy, highlighting marriage, family, and honor. The elite engaged in political affairs, social duties, and maintaining their lineage. Amusement included public events, literature, and gatherings that reinforced status and tradition.
Q: How does Cornelia regard her children?
A: Cornelia views her children with deep love and concern, seeing them as her greatest legacy. She expresses sorrow at leaving them but takes pride in raising them well. Her hope is that they will continue the family’s honor and uphold Roman values.
Q: What is the Roman definition of family?
A: The Roman familia included not just parents and children but also extended relatives, slaves, and clients under the authority of the paterfamilias. It was a legal and economic unit, emphasizing duty, hierarchy, and tradition.
Q: What were the main purposes of marriage in Roman society? Why were there different forms of marriage?
A: Marriage aimed to produce legitimate heirs, secure alliances, and maintain social status. Different forms existed (cum manu and sine manu) to regulate property control and family ties, reflecting changes in women’s legal independence over time.
Q: What were the most-approved methods of supporting oneself in Roman society?
A: The elite valued landownership and agriculture, as seen in mos maiorum. Commerce and trade were acceptable but secondary for aristocrats. Skilled labor and military service were also respected, while manual labor was mostly for lower classes and slaves.
Q: What was the social and political status of a freed slave?
A: A freed slave (libertus) gained legal rights but remained tied to their former master as a client. They could own property, conduct business, and some even became wealthy. However, they had limited political rights and could not hold high office.
Q: What was the patron/client relationship, and how did it work (personally and institutionally)?
A: Patrons provided legal, financial, and social support to clients, who in return offered loyalty and services. This relationship reinforced social hierarchy, influenced politics through public endorsements, and was a key institution in Roman society.
What is the Latin version of The Senate and the People of Rome, often abbreviated as SPQR
Senatus Populusque Romanus
Q: A Polybius quote in the section above states that there were democratic aspects to the Roman government; but was Rome a democracy?
A: Rome had democratic elements, but it was not a full democracy. Voting rights were limited by wealth, the Senate held significant power, and magistrates were often from elite families. The system blended democracy, aristocracy, and monarchy.
Q: What did the Romans think were the origins of the patrician and plebeian classes, and what are the problems with their explanation?
A: Romans believed patricians descended from Rome’s first senators, while plebeians were later additions. However, this oversimplifies social divisions, as patrician status was based on lineage, not function, and early history is unclear.
Q: Which magistrate(s) replaced the king as the head of the Roman state?
A: Two consuls replaced the king, elected annually to prevent tyranny. They led the army, administered justice, and presided over the government but shared power with the Senate and assemblies.
Q: What was the role of the Senate in the Roman Republic?
A: The Senate advised magistrates, controlled finances, managed foreign policy, and influenced laws. Though not a legislative body, it was the most powerful institution due to its authority and experience.
Q: What role did the assemblies of the people have in Roman government?
A: Assemblies passed laws, elected magistrates, and made key decisions on war and peace. However, voting was structured to favor the wealthy, limiting true democratic influence.
Q: Which council of the people lost significance politically, although possibly not religiously, when the Comitia Centuriata was instituted?
A: The Comitia Curiata lost political importance, as the Comitia Centuriata took over major legislative and electoral functions while maintaining religious duties.
Q: On what basis did the Senate become the most powerful body of the Roman Republic?
A: The Senate’s power came from its control over finances, foreign policy, and its advisory role. Lifetime membership ensured continuity, and magistrates often followed its recommendations.
Q: What are the key features of elected offices in Rome? How do these features show the Roman fear of kingship?
A: Roman offices were collegial (shared power), annual, and often had term limits. This prevented any one person from gaining absolute control, reflecting Rome’s fear of monarchy.
Q: Why do you think Potter does not write about the Conflict of the Orders?
A: Potter may downplay the Conflict of the Orders because it was a gradual process rather than a single event. The struggle between patricians and plebeians evolved over centuries with complex social and political factors.
