Western Mediterranean and Origins of Rome (753-509 BC)

Question 1

emergence of a highly civilized period in the western Mediterranean.

Answer 1

civilizations comparable with those of the east emerged in the west between 800 and 500 BC. those civilizations were the Etruscan in central Italy, Carthage in North Africa, Greek in the colonies of southern Italy, Sicily, Gaul.

Question 2

Etruscans

Answer 2

lived in city states with loose federal organizations. cultural and administrative affairs were concentrated in urban city centers. Etruscans became quite wealthy due to their great workmanship of their craft products. most likely they were a class of aristocrats but their origins are a matter of debate. their language does not belong with the other Indo-European ones. the civilization was a blend of Near Eastern, Italian and Greek elements. the civilization reached its hight in the 7th and 8th centuries BC. After 500 BC the increasing competition of the Greeks and the invasion of the Celts gradually undermined their power.

Question 3

Carthage

Answer 3

founded in the 9th or 8th century BC. it was one of the military bases and trading posts founded by Phoenicians. Carthage took control over the trading network when Tyre’s power declined and founded a few agricultural colonies of her own. its wealth came from maritime trade, import of gold and tin and highly developed agricultural activities. wars were fought predominantly with hired mercenaries as their own manpower could not be stretched too much. in terms of shipping Carthage held a monopoly over the south-western Mediterranean and on the Atlantic Ocean and to defend this position it had a network of fortified bases. governed by a class of landowners and rich merchants.

Question 4

origins of Rome

Answer 4

Latins were the first tribe to settle in the future Rome area and they spoke Latin. they most likely arrived in the last centuries of the 2nd Millennium BC. from 10th to 6th century Latium was characterized by a homogeneous culture. according to Roman legend, the city was founded in 753 BC by Romulus, the first king. in the early days the Palatine Hill settlements were farming ones with simple agricultural, stock keeping and horticultural practices. it is assumed that they were organized in family groups headed by aristocratic leaders. the earliest population was most likely a mix of Romans, Etruscans, Sabines. in the 7th and 6th centuries Greek and Etruscan influence increased and in this period Rome became a true city. After 600 it rapidly expanded into one of the largest cities. it was also favourably located. the story tells that initially it was ruled by 7 kings (753-509 BC) with the first four being legendary figures.

Question 5

state and society in early Rome

Answer 5

it already had some degree of social differentiation. there were aristocrats, well-to-do peasants and poorer peasants. farms remained largely self-sufficient family units but craftsmen lived and worked in the city. already then there is thought to be a culture of clientes-patroni relationships.
kings commanded the army, administered justice, led ceremonies for deities. they had the executive power.
the Senate, a council of aristocratic family heads assisted the king.
Comitia Curiata, a public assembly, could be summoned by the Senate, was a popular assembly that sanctioned the executive authority even if they had little to no power.

Question 6

Comitia Curiata

Answer 6

consisted of thirty curiae, each with a vote. a curia was made of a number of gentes and a gens was a group of several familiae.

Question 7

family structure

Answer 7

within the family the paterfamiliae enjoyed absolute authority (the male heads of families). he had power over every decision, member of the household and item. the family organization was reflected in names; each Roman had at least three names with a personal name, name denoting his gens and one or more surnames for the specific family.

Question 8

the army

Answer 8

gentes were originally also military units. the aristocrats are thought to have dominated on the battlefields. in the 6th century, the Romans most likely started to fight like contemporary Greeks; closed battle array of heavily armed infantrymen surrounded by cavalrymen and lightly armed soldiers. penultimate king Servius Tullis (c. 578-535 BC) most likely adapted the organization of civilians to the changed fighting method and divided them into property classes.

Question 9

property classes and army roles

Answer 9

wealthiest citizens, the equites, served in the cavalry with horses provided by the state.
wealthy peasants served as heavily armed infantrymen.
members of the lower classes served as lightly armed soldiers.
propertyless citizens did not serve as they could not afford to arm themselves.

Question 10

Comitia Centuriata

Answer 10

new public assembly which was organized with the property classes in mind. below the cavalry there were five property classes, each divided into centuriae (unit of 100 men) with each centuriae having one vote. due to its organization the committee always had a majority between the first class and cavalry. the propertyless had their own centuria but they collectively had only one vote. 
this assembly gradually superseded Comitia Curiata but the latter did continue to exist.

Question 11

Roman kings

Answer 11

1. Romulus - founded Rome
2. (Titus Tatius)
3. Numa Pompilius - regia (forum), religion, laws
4. Tullus Hostilius - destruction of Alba Longa, curia
5. Ancus Martius - foundation of Ostia, bridge over Tiber
6. Tarquinius Priscus - started building Capitoline temple
7. (Mastarna)
8. Servius Tullius - new city walls, state reformations, sewer + drainage, Forum
9. Tarquinius Superbus - built temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus (Capitol)