THE ANCIENT MEDITERRANEAN WORLD

1. THE ANCIENTMEDITERRANEAN WORLD

2. I. Persia (550-330 B.C.E.) • Combination of many early Mesopotamian cultures • Divided into 20 provinces • Each province allowed the locals to keep their original language, laws, and religion • Satraps– local governors – controlled the provinces • Main job was to collect taxes • Trade & communication helped by an intricate system of roads • Royal Road ran 1,677 miles and spanned over half of the empire • Birthplace of Zoroastrianism, anearly monotheistic religion • Cyrus the Great– most famousPersian king

3. II. Greece • Greek civilization began to flourish around 800 B.C.E., peaking around 400 B.C.E. • Organized into city-states • Polis– Greek word for city-state • Typically types of government: • Tyrant– one absolute ruler, obtained power through popularity • Aristocracy– rule based on hereditary ruling class (nobility) • Monarchy– one ruler, usually a king • Oligarchy– power is in the hands of a few, usually the wealthiest • Two city-states came to dominate: Athens & Sparta • Athens was a commercially successful and prided itself on intellectual and cultural achievements • Pericleswas greatest ruler • Favored direct democracy – rule through vote by the people • Ordered construction of the Parthenon

4. II. Continued… • Sparta was a strong military aristocracy • Dominated surrounding city-states through force • Not as commercially powerful, depended on network of slaves • Eventually, Sparta and Athens would come to war over control of Greece – Peloponnesian Wars • Greatly weakened Greece as a whole, allowed Philip II of Macedon to invade (around 350 B.C.E.) • Alexander the Great continued quest of his father, succeeded in conquering Greece, Egypt, Persia, and beyond (died 323 B.C.E.) • Empire only lasted briefly, but influence would last centuries • Hellenistic Period – Greek culture fused with Persian, Egyptian culture • Spread influence of Greeks well beyond Greece • Established important centers of trade and intellect, such as Alexandria, Egypt

5. III. Rome • Two phases of ancient Roman history: Republic& Empire • Republic founded 509 B.C.E. • Representative government – citizens (free-born males) vote for leaders • Social groups • Patricians– landowners, aristocrats • Plebeians– farmers, artisans, merchants (could vote, but nothold office) • Slaves – captured during military campaigns, mostly agricultural work • Twelve Tables – first written Roman laws • Prevented laws from being misinterpreted • Became centerpiece of Roman Republic

6. III. Continued… • Political structure of Roman Republic • Senate– originally 300 members, made up of landowning aristocrats • Consuls – two officials elected by Senate • One commanded army, one directed government workings • Limited to one year, couldn’t be elected again for 10 years • One consul could veto (override) another • Dictator – elected in times of crisis, absolute power over laws and military • Limited to six months • Growth of the Empire • Began conquering territoriesaround Mediterranean by 264 B.C.E. • Punic Wars– series of battlesbetween Rome and Carthage

7. III. Continued… • Collapse of the Republic • As the empire grew, the republic weakened • Social unrest, military disorder, civil war • Economic problems • Huge gap between wealthy elite and rest of society • Landowners lived on huge estates, depended on slaves • By 100 B.C.E., about a third of the population were slaves • Cities were overrun by unemployed farmers, artisans • Problems in the military • More reliance on mercenaries, loyal only to commanders • Made possible for a commander to force themselves into position of power • Rise of the emperors • Julius Caesar • Successful politician and general, declared himself governor of Gaul (France) in 58 B.C.E.

8. III. Continued… • Rise of the emperors • Julius Caesar (continued…) • Many Roman senators feared Caesar’s popularity and power, demanded he return to Rome • Struggle between Caesar and his enemies ensues, Caesar triumphs • Elected dictator in 46 B.C.E., dictator for life in 44 B.C.E. • Those loyal to the idea of the Republic feared Caesar’s power • Assassinated in 44 B.C.E. • Civil War • After death of Caesar,power is juggled betweenthree men • Octavian, Mark Antony,Lepidus • After series of battles forcontrol, Octavian declaredfirst emperor • Takes title, “Imperator Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus” • Oversees beginning of longest period of Roman prosperity, called “PaxRomana” – Roman peace

9. IV. Rise of Christianity • Prior to the 1st century C.E., Mediterranean World was melting pot of religious ideas and practices • Mix of polytheistic beliefs (Greeks, Romans) and monotheistic (Judaism, Zoroastrianism) • Neither Greece or Roman religious traditions became lasting traditions • Where did Christianity come from? • Jewish kingdom of Judea was taken over by Rome in 63 B.C.E. • Over the years, Roman law became more oppressive, many Jews believed a messiah would restore the kingdom • Many believed that to be Jesus • Popularity of Jesus was a concern to both Roman and Jewish leaders • Disrupted local leadership, teachings were often considered blasphemous • Arrest was ordered and sentenced to death by crucifixion (a common death penalty)

10. IV. Continued… • Why/how did Christianity become popular? • PaxRomana made it easy and safe to travel – ideas travel with people • Common languages – Greek and Latin • A belief system that ignored wealth, status, nationality • Reaction by Roman government • For first couple of centuries, seen as opposition to Roman law and culture • Thousands crucified, burned, tortured for punishment and entertainment • Eventually, grew popular enough to be officially accepted • 312 C.E. – Emperor Constantine wins battle, credits Christian god • Edict of Milan – Christianity becomes approved religion • 380 C.E. – Emperor Theodosius makes Christianity official religion, thinking it would being order to the empire