Roman Republic: ca. 500-27 B.C.

1. Greek Culture, Roman Traditions, and Identity

A. Livy (ca. 59 B.C.-A.D. 17) and the purpose of history

"I won't accept or reject such traditions [re: Mars as father of Rome]. But there is no real problem when the dividing line between myth and history is not always clear: these traditions add dignity to the past; and if any nation is deserving of claiming divine ancestry, that nation is our own"

national mythmaking and morality

cp. Virgil's Aeneid

B. Foundation myths: Greek culture and Roman identity I: the genealogical link

Aeneas (Trojan hero: Greek tradition): 1st founder (end Bronze Age); linked to:

Romulus (local hero: Italic tradition): 2nd founder (mid-8C B.C.)

story of Romulus and Remus

Capitoline she-wolf (6th cen. BC)

coin of Hadrian (2nd century AD)

Syrian/Roman mosaic (AD 510)

C. Roman identity II

i. war (Romulus) and religion (Numa)

martial values and religion: core of state

ii. rustic values

iii. Rome open, not exclusive

2. Roman Politics: Theory and Practice

A. Theory: Polybius (Greek, mid-2C B.C.) and the "mixed constitution"

i. Monarchical >> consuls

• civil
• judicial
• military

ii. Aristocratic/oligarchic >> senate (senex)

• foreign policy
• finances
• decrees, not laws (senatus consultum)

iii. Democratic >> assemblies (most important: comitia centuriata)

• election of magistrates
• laws, treaties
• judicial: capital cases

result: checks and balances

B. Practice: Political realities

assemblies: procedure, voting, role of the consuls

but cf. contio (pl. contiones)

Senate: in charge; consuls its agent

formal powers vs. authority (cp. Pericles)

3. Roman Social Structure and Ideology

A. The Roman family

pater: father; paterfamilias: "father of the family;" eldest male with power of life and death over children

Senators = patres

household ancestor shrine with paterfamilias (Pompeii, 1C AD)

B. Patron-client Relationship

• patron: obligation of protection and aid of social inferiors (e.g. debts, law)
• client: obligation of help in maintaining standing and power of patron (e.g. voting, attendance)
• relationship within and outside of Rome