Ancient Rome (I)
Chapter – 8
- The civilization of Rome succeeded that of Greece as the major ancient European civilization, with its nucleus in Italyand later expanding across the Mediterranean.
- Food production began in southern Italy around 7000 BC and in northern Italy around 6000 BC. By 2000 BC, Italy was inhabited by several Indo-European tribes.
- Greek settlements were found in southern Italy, and two major groups of Indo-European tribes were in central and northern Italy: the Latins in western central Italy and the Osco-Umbrians in the central Apennine region.
- The Osco-Umbrians spoke languages like Oscan and Umbrian and included tribes such as the Sabines and Samnites, who played an important role in early Roman history.
- Campania was a fertile region taken over by some of the Oscan/Sabellian tribes, while Volsci and Aequi lived on the periphery of the Latin zone.
- In eastern Italy, tribes spoke Venetic and Messapic, and Celtic tribes like the Gauls inhabited the northernmost part.
- The Etruscans, a major non-Indo-European group, concentrated in north-western and central Italy, extending into Latium.
- From 1200 BC, Italian Bronze Age cultures emerged in the Apennine region, with the Villanovan culture being notable for settlements in northern Italy.
- The Villanovans were primarily villagers, relying on sheep and cattle-breeding, with regular migration between mountainous areas and fertile plains.
- Around 800 BC, the Etruscans underwent a transition leading to urbanization and the development of an agricultural economy.
- Iron use became widespread from the 8th century BC, and the Etruscans produced a rich civilization between 800 and 700 BC, occupying most of central Italy.
- Etruscan cities such as Veii, Tarquinii, and Vulci were prominent, though the Etruscans did not create a unified state, living in self-governed cities with independent territories.
- These cities were ruled by a wealthy Etruscan warrior aristocracy, with some ruled by kings. The aristocracy lived in palatial houses and had stone tombs decorated with paintings and burial goods like silver, bronze, and ivory.
- Etruscan towns were well-planned and fortified with drains and carefully laid-out streets. The Etruscans adopted features of Greek civilization, including a script based on the Greek alphabet.
- The Etruscans engaged in trade and had extensive dealings with Greek cities, influencing the Latin-speaking peoplein west-central Italy, where Latin towns were fortified like Etruscan cities.
- Rome, founded around 753 BC, grew from settlements on seven hills along the Tiber River: Aventine, Caelian, Capitoline, Esquiline, Palatine, Quirinal, and Viminal.
- The historicity of the 753 BC foundation is debated; evidence suggests the city was fortified around 550 BC, after marshes and swamps were drained and walls built, transforming the area into an urban center.
- The early history of Rome is obscure, with evidence suggesting Etruscan social and political influence. Some Etruscan families became politically dominant in Rome, leading to a monarchical government with Etruscan kings.
- Not much is known about the monarchical period or the full list of kings. Tarquin was one of the notable rulers, though it’s unclear if they belonged to a single dynasty.
- In 510 BC, two significant events occurred: the overthrow of the Etruscan king Tarquin the Proud and the abolition of monarchy in Rome, marking the beginning of the Roman Republic.
- The movement against Tarquin was not just against Etruscan rule but the institution of kingship. Afterward, Tarquinattempted to restore the monarchy with help from Lars Porsenna of Chiusi, but the attempt failed.
- After this, Rome was ruled by an oligarchy of wealthy Latin aristocrats, with two consuls elected annually and a powerful senate holding political, legal, and military authority.
- The senate became the supreme body of the Roman state, while citizen assemblies initially had little influence in governance.
- The Roman Republic lasted from 510 to 27 BC, undergoing significant changes during this period. Understanding its territorial expansion is key to examining the Republic’s history.