QUIZ HAS BEEN MOVED TO WEDS

QUIZ HAS BEEN MOVED TO WEDS - but material in class on Monay not on
quiz

Topics covered everything since the midterm to death of Augustus
(11/28)

Big three areas: Sulla and his reforms
Julius, the origins of Civil War, and the war &
aftermath
The Second triumvirate and Augustus
readings: Cassius Dio, Velleius, Suet. _Div Jul._ _Augustus_ and
Catullus poems

I encourage students to read for the quiz. I am toying with the idea
of
analyze either of 2 reading passages on the quiz.

The Era of the Second Triumvirate 44-31 BC

The Era of the Second Triumvirate 44-31 BC

Key figures:
Caesarians Republicans
M. Antony (cos. 44, 34, 31), Triumvir augur M. Junius Brutus (pr. 44) pontifex
M. Aemilius Lepidus (cos. 46, 42), Triumvir, Dec. Junius Brutus (cos. des. 42)
Pont. Max. C. Cassius Longinus (pr. 44) augur
C. Julius Caesar Octavian (cos. 43, 34, 32, 31-23)
Triumvir, augur and pontifex Sex. Pompey (cos. des. 35)
A. Hirtius, C. Vibius Pansa coss 43, died in office

Republicans who joined Antony after Philippi (both later defected to Caesar)
L. Domitius Ahenobarbus (cos. 32) pontifex
M. Valerius Messalla Corvinus (cos.31) supernumerary augur defended fighting for Brutus at Philippi: “Caesar, I have always taken the more just and more honorable side!”

Antony’s other men
P. Ventidius (suf. 43)
L. Munatius Plancus (cos. 42), augur? Later joined Caesar
L. Antonius (cos. 41) waged war on Caesar 41-40, pardoned
C. Asinius Pollio (cos. 40), augur? Later stayed neutral
M. Cocceius Nerva (cos. 36), brokered Pact of Brundisium
C. Sosius (cos. 32), pontifex

Caesar’s men
• M. Vipsanius Agrippa (cos. 37, 28, 27), VIIvir later entered top 3 colleges also,
commanded at Mylae, Naulochus, Spain, Actium, the East
• T. Statilius Taurus (cos. 37. 26), augur and a second priesthood
commanded in Africa, Sicily, Actium, Piedmont
• L. Arruntius (cos. 23), VIIvir, commanded at Actium
• Sex. Appuleius (cos. 29), Flamen Iulialis, augur, commanded in Asia (?)
• C. Cilnius Maecenas, equestrian, administered Italy
• C. Sallust Crispus Yngr, equestrian, administered Italy


TIMETABLE

44 Ides of March: Julius assassinated, in a deal Antony as surviving consul agrees not to punish assassins, but all of J’s reforms enacted. At J’s funeral, Antony denounces the assassins (Shakespeare), drives them from Rome, and seizes power.
late Spring: Octavius arrives in and demands his inheritance. Antony stonewalls. Under pressure from Senate, he reluctantly holds an election to fill empty consulship and then bribes the hostile winner, P. Cornelius Dollabella, to depart in pursuit of Cassius.
Fall: Antony’s misgovernance provokes Cicero’s Philippics, Senatorial opposition; adoption of Octavius ratified; Antony illegally appoints self governor of Cisalpine Gaul and departs to expel Dec. Brutus (Dec. 44).

43 Hirtius and Pansa consuls, set out to relieve Dec. Brutus in Mutina vs. Antony. With them is the adopted C. Julius Caesar Octavianus as a pro-praetor, they defeat Antony but fall. Caesar demands consulship, is refused, so he joins forces with Antony and his host Lepidus. Plancus and Pollio fail to intercept Lepidus and Antony who march on Rome.
August – Caesar and his cousin Pedius “elected” consuls, begin Proscription, formal start of Second Triumvirate,
Nov. Pedius dies, Caesar resigns. $$ rolls in. New consuls for 2 months

42 War of Philippi vs Brutus and Cassius ends in victory; Antony as the hero chooses to administer East and punish enemies of 2T incl. Egypt; Caesar returns to Italy to settle land for the veterans (unpopular). Confiscations.

41 L. Antony defends the deprived: Perusine War (Fulvia, Plancus, Pollio, L. Antony vs Caesar, Agrippa, Taurus).

40 M. Antony arrives too late, is barred entry at Tarrentum, but comes to terms in Pact of Brundisium. Octavia = Antony. Caesar turns on Sex. Pompey, but is defeated.

39 In Pact of Tarrentum, 2T and Sex. P come to terms, he is reinstated, given a future consulship, a priesthood, and his Republican allies are pardoned. Antony returns East.

38 Caesar seizes Sardinia, renews war with Sex. P, after a defeat he summons Agrippa

37 Antony in the East. Cleopatra

36 Agrippa’s navy defeats Sex. P at Mylae (draw), Naulochus. Sex. P flees east., Lepidus’ gamble for power fails, he is deposed.

35 M. Titius executes Sex. P. Antony plans Parthian invasian

34 Parthian debacle

33 Donations of Alexandria, 2T expires on 31 Dec. Caesar relinquishes titles.

32 Sosius and Domitius consuls, attack Caesar in Senate, S & D flee Rome to A, War declared on Cleopatra, S & D deposed, repl by MVM and CCC

31 Antony deposed and replaced by MVMC, war of Actium 2 Sept. the battle

30 Caesar takes Egypt, Antony commits suicide 1 Sept. Cleopatra later.

29 Caesar and Sex. Appuleius consuls

28-27 Caesar and Agrippa consuls for 2 years, in 27 new Constitution announced, LMP suggests title Augustus, his resignation rejected for a power share with the Senate

27-AD 14 reign of Augustus –
Pax Romana
Senatorial reform incl. reduction from 900 to 550 senators
Provinces divided into 2 camps – Senatorial and Imperial
Foreign expansion replaces Civil War
consular elections soon restored (22) until Tiberius (AD 15)
Numerous triumphs in 20s, after 18 no one outside Imperial Family wins one
Expansion of religious colleges by several seats
Uneasy handling of succession issue

Reign of Augustus

(unofficial) Reign of Augustus 27- AD 14
sources: Cassius Dio 49-56;
Suet. Augustus (and early Tiberius),
Tac. Annals 1
Velleius Paterculus 1.80 ff

Stemma (Family tree) of Juli-Claudians 25 BC-AD 10

____________________________________________
| | |
Julius Caesar dictator Julia = M. Attius Balbus Julia
\ | |
\ Atia = Octavius = Ancharia Q Pedius
\ __________|________________________________________
1 \ | 2 1 | |
Scribonia = AUGUSTUS = Livia = Ti. Nero ANTONY = Octavia = CCM Octavia
| \ \ _____|___________ | | |
Agrippa = Julia* /\ TIBERIUS Drusus = Antonia Marcellus Sex. Appuleius
| / \ | __________|_______________
| / \ Drusus Yngr = Livilla | CLAUDIUS
_______|___/______\________________________ |
| | / \ | | |
Julia Gaius Lucius Postumus Agrippina Elder = Germanicus


29 New Constitution divides provinces and some imperial powers
23 Anger at his monopoly of 1 consulship leads Augustus to resign and accept tribunicia potestas instead. He dates his power on coins from 23. Turbulent elections follow. Promotion of Marcellus, Agrippa miffed, goes to Lesbos, Marcellus dies mysteriously
22-21 Aug tries to cope w/o Agrippa, MVMC but can not, recalls Agrippa, Agr = Julia
18 renewal of tp, and Agrippa receives it also (start of Agrippa’s escalation)
17 After the birth of Lucius, Augustus adopts both Gaius and Lucius and raises them
16 Domestic problems and a German invasion compel Aug to leave R for 3 years
13 Triumphal return, Aug refuses a triumph, celebrates Pax, Ara Pacis begun
12 Agrippa dies in March, provinces rebel, Drusus and Tiberius sent to suppress
9 Drusus as consul, dies in Germany, national mourning
7 Triumph and 2nd consulship of Tiberius
4 Elevation of Gaius and Lucius, Tiberius miffed, retires to Rhodes
2 Conspiracy of Iullus Antony, exile of Julia to Pandateria
1 Gaius sent out to fight in Parthia
AD 2 Lucius dies in Massilia mysteriously, Tib recalled
AD 4 Gaius dies mysteriously, Aug adopts Tiberius and Postumus, T adopts Germanicus
AD 4-6 Tiberius conquers Germany, Illyria revolts in 6,
AD 8 Julia the Yngr exiled for adultery
AD 9 Teutoberger Wald - three legions lost, but German invasion dissipates
AD 12 Postumus exiled,
AD 13 Tiberius receives TPand authority, power equal to Augustus
AD 14 Augustus dies in August, is made a god by the Senate (WHY?) Postumus executed at once, Tiberius summons Senate and is offered the same leadership Augustus held. He feigns disinterest, but then snaps when others offer to take him seriously.

Legacy of Augustus:
“I found Rome a city of brick and mud and left her a city of marble”
New unofficial imperial system of monarchy for 100 yrs
Greatly increased prosperity of empire
End of Civil wars for 75 (100) yrs
Quality of life greatly improves, including literacy
Romanization of Empire doubles pace
Considerable freedom for a secret police state
Drawbacks –
Return to Mos Maiorum was a return to archaic religion, step back in time
Secret police state with escalated censorship in last decade
Wealth acquired on backs of untold 100,000s of new slaves
Set in path a monarchy that corrupted absolutely under Caligula, Nero




Tiberius (42 – AD 37), r. AD 14-37

Son of Livia and Ti.Claudius Nero (pr.42). Survived a perilous infancy and perhaps unhappy childhood. Parents divorced right before his brother Drusus was born and as per Roman law he was raised in his father’s house until the death of Ti. Nero. After this he was raised by his mother (not common R practice). Augustus apparently tolerated his step-sons. At a very young age Tiberius was the leader of the gens Claudia.
Tiberius married Vipsania Minor, daughter of Agrippa, ca. 24 at about the same time PQVarus married Vipsania Maior. He served under Agrippa and received several prestigious honors under Augustus including the right to hold office under legal age. In political terms he tied his wagon to Agrippa’s star.
In 13 he served as consul with PQV to celebrate the return of Augustus and Agrippa in a lavish ceremony that included the constitutio of the Ara Pacis and probably the closing of the Gates of Janus. Tiberius could look ahead at age 29 to a long career of gvt service at the side of his father-in-law incl. multiple governorships, vast wealth, and the consulship for his son(s).
Suddenly Agrippa died in 12 and his fortune became both brighter and more risky. Livia and Augustus forced him to divorce the beloved Vipsania (who miscarried over it) in order to marry Julia. It turned out this new marriage was not so that Tiberius could assume Agrippa’s position as second princeps, but just to keep the seat warm for Agrippa’s (biological) sons, whom Augustus had adopted in 17. Tiberius was miserable, and after his son by Julia died he ceased to cohabitate with Julia.
Happier on the battlefield, he and Drusus invaded Austria in 11 and conquered new territory for Rome. But in 10 Drusus was injured when his horse fell upon him and died of gangrene. Tiberius rushed 200 miles in 24 hours (Val Max) to reach Drusus before he died. He brought the body back to Italy where Drusus was laid in the Mausoleum of the Iulii after 30 funerals in every major town from Milan to Rome.
Tiberius returned to the field and waged war in Germany on and off until 6. Then he saw Gaius Caesar coming of age and insisted on leaving for Rhodes. Augustus was put out at his departure and late refused to allow him to return.
In Tiberius’ absence Augustus probably relied upon Iullus Antonius for administrative work. Perhaps Iullus got mad at being used (?) because he conspired against Augustus in 2, and his adulterous affair with Julia was exposed. Iullus committed suicide. Augustus divorced Julia from Tiberius and despite Tiberius’ protests, she was exiled to a small island. Tiberius was now allowed to return in AD 2 as a private citizen.
After Lucius and Gaius died (AD 2, 4) Tiberius was reinstated and adopted with Agrippa Postumus by Augustus. But Augustus forced Tiberius to adopt Germanicus, the older nephew, thus Tiberius had to relinquish his position as leading Claudius – to his younger nephew CLAUDIUS. Tiberius again was sent to war in Germany and Illyria, and back to Germany after his appointee, PQV lost 3 legions at Teutoberger Wald.
Tiberius becomes the second princeps and has a hand in most important policy decisions (thanks to his mother), especially after the exile of Postumus (AD 10 or so).
Tiberius takes over as in AD 14, but in a show of Republican modesty, pretends to refuse the opportunity. This provokes a challenge and he has to take a stern hand to prevent a show of weakness (Asinius Gallus gets it in the end). At first tries to be Republican, not autocratic, but relations with the Senate strain.
Germanicus sent to Germany to avenge Teutoberger Wald, but he tries to reconquer Germany. See Tacitus Annals 2. Tiberius recalls him in 17 because of the $$, but in fact the reconquest of Germany would be far less expensive than facing future hordes of Germans. Germanicus given a second consulship and sent East, where he dies mysteriously, provoking charges that Tiberius had Cn. Calpurnius Piso poison G.
Tiberius makes no display of emotion at G’s death, but allows his son Drusus the Younger to become junior emperor – until Drusus dies (poisoned by his wife) in AD 23. Tiberius forced to turn to his chief minister, L. Aelius Sejanus to run the Empire.
Sejanus runs the Guard and other functions. He plots to marry Livilla and take over the Empire, so he discredits and imprisons Germanicus’ sons and widow. But he is discovered by Antonia Minor and exposed, AD 29. A purge follows in which all Sejanus’ allies are executed.
Tiberius turns savage. He retires to Capri and runs the Empire despotically. He chooses to leave the Empire to both Gaius “Caligula” and Tiberius Julius “Gemellus,” but Gemellus is too young. Tiberius succumbs (possibly murdered by Caligula) in March 37 to the relief of the people who want to throw him in the Tiber River. Senate grants him no honors.




CALIGULA AND CLAUDIUS

AD 37-41 CALIGULA
everyone so happy to be rid of Tiberius they welcome Gaius Caesar Germanicus and heap honors upon him. If he was sane before, it goes to his head and in a year he goes raving mad. He really or pretends to suffer a medical illness and awakens “a god on earth.” While rumors of his incest with his sister Drusilla might be slander, he was plenty bad in every other way.
• Phony invasion of Britain called back at the North Sea
• Execution of Germany legionary commanders including Lentulus Gaetulicus
• Execution of his heir Paullus Aemilius Lepidus
• Exile of his sisters Agrippina and Julia the Yngr
• Purge of the Senate
• Unlawfully took all the priesthoods
• Forces senatorial wives to work in a brothel to raise funds
• Condemns rich people to death just to get their $$
Finally Caligula was assassinated in Jan AD 41 by Cassius Chaerea, who tried to eliminate the imperial family and said he would restore the republic. The Senate meets and agrees to restore the Republic, but the Praetorian Guard chooses to elevate …

CLAUDIUS AD 41-54
Probably had cerebral palsy and was kept in background. Hope to be a professional historian and wrote lost accounts of Etruscans, R history -43 BC. Claudius may have been part of the plot to assassinate Caligula, but made public a story of discovery behind a curtain. Guards wanted an emperor, not a Republic. Claudius ascended and like Tiberius made a big effort to be Republican, but

Fall of the Roman Republic

Fall of the Roman Republic:
Myths and theories

Following Sulla a decade of aristocratic control with unsuccessful challenge by Q. Aemilius Lepidus (cos. 78). Conflict in the East leads to a big aggrandizement of Roman territory under Pompey and Lucullus in 70s and 60s. But after defeating Spartacus, Crassus and Pompey serve as consuls together in 70 and undo Sulla’s cap on the tribunate.

The 60s see Cicero’s rise to the consulship in 63 (in suo anno) and his discovery of a revolutionary plot to overthrow the Republic. Cicero foils Catiline and is proclaimed pater patriae, but his life goal of a harmony of the orders never gains fruition and his own head is put at risk for the execution of citizens w/o trial. Cicero went into exile in 58, though recalled. Simultaneously, Julius starts his rise and wins popularity as aedile and military glory as praetor. In either 60 or 59 he forms First Triumvirate with P & Cr and gives his daughter Julia to Pompey in marriage.

The early 50s
Julius acquires the consulship in 59 (in suo anno) and proposes a vast legislative reform program, partly blocked by the Bibulus and the Old Guard, consulship of Julius and Caesar. To avoid prosecution Julius rigs a province for himself so he can enjoy immunity. This governorship is extended to 5 years and the Senate gives him two more provinces to keep him busy. Friendly consuls elected for 58 and 57 to help protect interests of FT. But hostile forces nearly break up P & Cr until Julius renews the FT at Lucca in 56 and P&C win election for second joint consulship in 55, defeating Cato’s bro-in-law LDA.
The conquest of Gaul matched with 2 invasions of Britain (Comm. De Bel Gal).

The late 50s
P & C renew J’s governorships for 5 years; give selves provinces of Spain and Syria. LDA gets consulship of 54 with the optimatis App. Claudius Pulcher, but has limited success against FT until the exit of Cr. Cr launches illegal war on Parthia in Carrhae disaster in 53, loses his son, his pride, his life. Popular but inaccurate view: Crassus was glue that held FT together, w/o him it broke.
53/52 represents a dramatic change in politics:
1. Cr’s wealth no longer a factor in elections
2. LDA now able to elect some anti-FT consulars: App CP, MVMR (53), and 51-49.
3. Cr’s daughter-in-law Cornelia ultimately weds P and drags him away from J.
4. Coalition of Cato, QCMPS, LDA, Claudii tighten ranks against J
5. Unpredictable conduct of tribune Scribonius Curio
Civil disruption prevents peaceful election for 53, but LDC and MVMR eventually seated as consuls in Feb.
52 all hell breaks loose. The consuls designate are convicted of bribery and lose their seats (L. Plautius Hypsaeus and T Annius Milo). Murder of Clodius by Milo (battle of Bodivilla) followed by a funeral at which the Curia set on fire. At end the optimates agree to give P a sole consulship and he adds his father-in-law QCMPS as a colleague half way through. Milo tried and exiled, despite Cicero.
Efforts in 51 to recall J fail, since P still defends his ally.
Efforts in 50 renewed with more success because P forced to commit himself in a slip.
49 J recalled (illegally) and LDA appointed to succeed him. J crosses Rubicon and makes war on Senate.

The Civil War:
Julius storms Italy in Jan 49 and the Senate first appoints P as CEO, then flees Rome (Napoleon condemns this). J captures LDA at Corfinum, releases him, takes R, chases P to Brundisium , but P escapes. After securing Italy, J turns W to conquer Spain. A largely bloodless victory in which he starves Afranius into surrender.
48 J consul II with PSV, food shortage in Italy caused by the Republicans, J invades Greece and nearly loses all at Dyrrhachium, but wins Pharsalus. LDA executed. P flees to Egypt and is slain (Vergil on the headless trunk of Priam). J follows to Egypt, meets Cleopatra, Alexandrine War.
47 Q Fufius Calenus and Vatinius consuls, J wins Zela (I came, I saw, I conquered) and returns to Italy. Prepares for war in Africa vs Cato.
46 Julius III, Lepidus consuls, invasion of Africa and close call at Thapsus. Cato suicide, QCMPS flees, drowns. J returns to Italy.
45 Julius IV, QFM consuls, Sons of Pompey raise an army in Spain, Munda. J holds a triple triumph over Africa (Juba), Spain (from 60), Pharnaces – but angers many. Caninius Rebillus a one-day consul.
44 Julius V M Antony, J made dictator perpatuus in Feb, assassinated on 3/15.

Theories:
1. Competitive system doomed to create warlords and one-man rule
2. Death of Crassus doomed a confrontation
3. Death of Julia doomed a confrontation
4. System collapsed due to an unpredictable set of personalities
5. Many conflicts in play: Italian vs Roman, Optimate vs Popularis, debtors vs creditors, provincials vs peninsulares, wealth as a changing factor
6. Civil War really a temporary aberration, just as was Marius, Sulla, but Antony and Caesar Octavian followed instead of Republicans.

The consuls and partisanship:
Bold = pro-J,P Italics = anti underline is ambiguous
60 Pupius Piso, M. Val. Messalla Niger
59 Julius, M Calpurnius Bibulus
58 L. Calp Piso, A Gabinius
57 Cornelius Lentulus Spinther, Q Caecilius Metellus Nepos
56 L Marcius Philippus, Cn. Cornelius Lentulus Marcellinus
55 Cr II and P II
54 App. Claudius Pulcher, L. Domitius Ahenobarbus
53 Domitius Calvinus, M Val Messalla Rufus
52 (Milo and Plautius Hypsaeus) Pompey III, QCMPS
51 P Sulpicius Rufus, M. Claudius Marcellus
50 L. Aemilius Paullus, C. Claudius Marcellus
49 C Claudius Marcellus, L.Cornelius Lentulus Crus
48 J II, P Sevilisu Vatia Isauricus

Gaius Valerius Catullus

Gaius Valerius Catullus (84-54) was an eques in some distant way attached to the powerful Valerii gens. Although his father was a friend of Julius, the young Catullus attacked him in his poems until reconciled at a dinner party. Catullus sought political advancement and went away to Bithynia on the staff of Memmius, but soured on politics for good after that experience. He is most famous for his affair with an older, married woman, whom he gave the pseudonym Lesbia (after Sappho, whose poetry Catullus imitated). The affair ended disastrously and Catullus wrote several angry poems about her to make himself feel better.

2
Sparrow, the favorite of my girlfriend,
With which she regularly plays, and holds between her thighs,
Whom she teases with her forefinger
And sometimes startles with sharp bites
When I desire something else.
I do not know why she likes to try
To please by giving pain.
I believe one day her heavy passion will yield:
If so, then I could play with you like her,
And lighten the sad worries of your mind!

11
Furius and Aurelius, comrades of Catullus,
Whether he shall enter far-off India,
Where the long drawn beat of the Indian Ocean
beats upon the shore,
Or whether he lands among the Hyrcani or soft Arabs,
Or the Sagae or the arrow-bearing Parthians,
Or where the seven-tongued Nile colors the waters,
Whether he goes across the high Alps,
Seeing the monuments of great Caesar:
The Gallic Rhine, the horrible see, or the far-off Brittons,
All things, wherever the will of the gods takes him,
You are ready to risk all with him at once,
Take this message to my ex –
and they are not nice words.
Let her live and fare well with her adulterers,
300 strong, whom she holds, all at the same time in an embrace,
Not really loving any of them, but breaking every
single one of them;
Nor will she regain my love, as before,
Which by her fault was cut down, just like the last flower
On a meadow, when a silent plow cut it
As it went by.


49 Some scholars think Catullus sent this poem after Cicero delivered the Pro Caelio, in which he accused Clodia and her brother of incest, to defend Caelius of charges of attempted poisoning. Cicero got Caelius off, and earned the hatred of Clodia. A better interpretation should be proposed.
Silver tongued among the sons of Romulus,
Those who live, those who died, and those who will be
in years to come,
Marcus Tullius, to you Catullus sends deepest thanks,
The worst poet of all, by as much the worst poet of all,
As you are the best lawyer of all.

101
Through many nations and over many seas
I have come to bring you, my brother, these sad offerings,
That I might bring you this sad memorial and in vain
Pay silent tribute to your ashes.
When Fortune took you from me, alas too soon,
Sad brother, wrongfully taken from me,
Nevertheless, now meanwhile, this sad duty is mine
To perform in the ancient rite of our ancestors, to your memory,
Accept this too late heartfelt brotherly grief,
And for all time, hello and farewell.



M. Valerius Martialis was descended from someone who had received Roman citizenship (probably from a M. Valerius Messalla). He came from Spain to Rome ca. AD 65 and tried to get in with Roman upper society. He became friends with Juvenal, Pliny the Younger, and others, achieving some social success under Domitian. His Epigrams show that he interacted with all levels of society, and particularly that he did not like miserly patrons who ill-treated their dependents.

1.47
Recently Diaulus was a doctor, now he is a mortician,
And that pretty well explains how he got most of his clients.

5.74
Asia and Europe cover the sons of Pompey, but he himself –
If any Earth covers him, it is Africa.
Can any Earth cover so great a man? No one tomb
Would be big enough to fit so great a downfall.

6.66
Gellianus the auctioneer was trying to sell
A girl whose reputation sits not well,
To those who live in the Subura slums,
For a long time people only bid small sums.
When he wished to persuade all that she was pure,
He dragged her against her will by the hand close to him,
And two, three, and four times kissed her.
What do you ask resulted from his kisses?
The guy who offered six bucks withdrew his bid.

9.4 Prostitution was not illegal or any more sordid than being a garbage collector, but it was dirty work that brought one into contact with lowlifes.
Galla can screw anyway you want for two gold coins,
And more than screw if you add two more.
Why are you paying her ten, Aeschylus?
Galla will suck you for less than that. You do it so she won’t tell.

9.68 Roman schools began at about 6am and lasted until about 1pm. All schools were private, so only those who could afford it got an education. More boys than girls went to school – probably from the age of 7-12.
Wicked schoolmaster, why is he always with us like some unseen ogre?
The crested roosters have not yet broken the silent dawn,
And already you growl with menacing tones.
It’s like bronze ringing with hammer strokes
When a sculptor makes an equestrian statue for a lawyer.
More noisy than a shout rising in a great amphitheater,
For the winning gladiator from his fans.
We ask for some quiet on our block, not all night,
For a little noise is allright,
But to get no sleep is awful. Send home your students.
Will you agree, Mr. Loudmouth, to take as much money
For shutting up as you do for teaching?

12.93 My younger brother’s 2nd favorite Epigram. Romans liked to keep dwarves as pets or servants. In fact the exotic was very fascinating for them.
In this way she can kiss her adulterous lover
When her husband is there, that wily Labulla.
She kisses her pigmy servant over and over,
Then he takes hold of him with many more kisses,
And after the adulterer slobbers all over him,
Laughing, he sends him back to the mistress.
The husband is made a greater fool than the dwarf!

Paper Topics for Roman History

Paper Topics for Roman History

• Use standard, formal English (no slang, no contractions)
• Write a good thesis paragraph and prove your thesis
• Only quote primary sources (Greek or Roman authors)
• Use the guidelines in back of course reader

1. Watch A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (twice) and then mine Plautus plays for the inspiration matter for Gelbart et al. What is the next greatest influence on FTHoWtF after Pseudolous? Read through a number of Plautus & Terrence plays to find which plays provided material and where source material was common to multiple sources.

2. Compare the biographies of Julius by Plutarch and Suetonius. Find at least four places where they differ or one completely omits a story told by another. Which one do other sources back? Why would the two authors have different interpretations for the same event?

3. After reading Suetonius and Plutarch biographies, read a few of the short biographies by Cornelius Nepos. Then compose your own biography of a Roman figure who is not already the source of a biography. (Make sure you do not make any factual errors, which is a frequent problem with wikipedia.com).

4. Watch the whole HBO Rome series and write a critical analysis of five places where HBO made a historical mistake not as a plot enhancer, but as a simple (correctable) mistake. The characterization of the politically diabolical Atia intentionally departs from history for character development, just as is Titus Pullo’s impregnation of Cleopatra. Your task is to find errors that could have been corrected without changing the plot.

5. When Romans conquered a new region and decided to occupy it, what was the process of Romanization they enacted? How did they indoctrinate the locals? A few books may help you on this – but do not quote modern authors. Atlas of the Roman World, David Potter Roman Italy, or Ina Caro The Road from the Past.

6. Numa established superstition in the guise of religion in 715 BC. How do Romans regard magic and witchcraft according to Appuleius, The Golden Ass? How did Romans handle the threat of the black arts? Do religious cults splinter their followers from mainstream religion?

7. Appuleius, The Golden Ass, is a hilarious set of stories inside stories. How does the audience read these stories? Do they make provincials look provincial, or do they express the fears and hopes of everyone? How safe is the Roman Empire at its peak? Do you get this same sense fo daily life from any other reading that survived?

8. Vergil’s Aeneid became the national epic overnight, but there are a few inconsistencies and problems never resolved in the text. Many people say Aeneas = Augustus and Turnus = Mark Antony. Evaluate this theory and express an opinion. Is Aeneas entirely admirable and a good fit for Augustus? Does Aeneas make Augustus look good or bad? And is Antony really Turnus?

9. How does Polybius differentiate Romans and Roman imperialism from other people. Scour through Polybius and find 3 or more places where he tells his audience how Rs are different because … . Analyze and explain what makes Rs distinct in his opinion. If possible express whether this supports or countermands his theory as to why Rome dominates the Mediterranean.

HBO Rome episode 1 The Coming of the Civil War

HBO Rome episode 1 The Coming of the Civil War

1. (Note the calendar at end of opening credits) Why is the calendar posted publicly in Ancient Rome?

2. opening explanation What 3rd member of the triumvirate, dead in 52, has the show omitted from mention?

3. 3 minutes What battle is this supposed to be, in which Gaul falls, after which (at 5 minutes) Vercingetorix surrenders?

4. 7 minutes Pompey’s letter somehow reaches Julius only in 52 to tell him Julia died in childbirth. When did Julia really die (see Plut. Pompey 53 or Dio 39.64 or App. BC 2.19) and what really happened to the daughter (the show has it wrong)?

5. 9 minutes and later Why does Julius show so little emotion when he reads Pompey’s letter or when Antony or Brutus expresses condolences for Julia’s death?

6. 10 minutes Cato the Younger is dressed in black (mourning) prematurely in this episode. Why does he wear no tunic under his toga like the other senators do?

7. 12 minutes Ancient Romans saw nothing wrong with women enjoying sex (that is a Judeo-Christian hang-up), but HBO may try to make what statement with Atia on top?

8. 14 minutes Cato makes what dreadful historical error when he asks Pompey “why does your fellow consul Julius not return from Gaul?” P repeats the error.

9. 18 minutes What is Scipio’s full name, and why does his daughter Cornelia not like mime? Everyone else loves mime.

10. What is the relationship between Cato, Servilia, Brutus, and Caesar?

11. What was Augustus called back in 52? HBO calls him Octavian to simplify.

12. 36 minutes Why does Atia bathe in blood?

13. 37 minutes HBO pretends Octavia is married to an unknown guy named Flavius. In fact she is really married to what consular and chief high optimatis?

EpisodeII questions all info should be found in first 10-15 minutes of episode

14. Why does Atia not wish to eat with Paullo and Berranius?

15. In the fictous meeting between Marc Antony, Kato and Pompey, when exactly do the two sides claim Julius' govonorship will end?

16. A motion in the Senate mirrors a real lift bill proposed in Jan 49. On HBO Antony flees Rome after violence in the forum. What really happened?