1.

Patricians

(Professor Bowman / SLU)

History-111 Finals Study Guide

2. Plebeians

-The citizen population of ancient Rome that included farmers, merchants, and the
urban poor; plebeians compromised the majority of the population. One of the two
classes in Rome; decide they’re going to revolt.
-Assembly of the Plebeians is created (Tribal Assembly). Tribal Assembly becomes
main assembly, and becomes the main law-making body. Still rely on Senate, but
eventually Senate loses power to veto; they only become a position of ‘prestige’.
-By the end of 4th Century BCE they kept gaining more power, patricians tried to hold on
to what they had left (competition b/t ppl)

Sacred Band
-Traditional institution religious stuff important to Romans.
-Plebeians established selves w/ Sacred Band, and succeed away from Romans,
which isn’t good because the Patricians need them for their tax money.
-Patricians prosecute Plebeians who refuse military service (and they’re majority)
they gained a concession from the ruling class.

12 Tables
-Rome’s law codes, knowing law code could help you so much; there were certain days
one can prosecute.
-Patricians still had control of the law.
-If you fell in debt, would pay back thru price of freedom as result = dangerous thing.
-367 BCE law passed that gave Plebeians access to councilship (executive power of
Roman government) if they rose to power they can be elected, important bc made
Plebeians socially mobile and can become a Patrician
-Any Roman citizen can appeal a punishment thru conviction (beaten, execution) appeal
would go thru tribal assembly.
-Had to know calandar, had to know which day able to pursue a certain case in court.
-Incorporated city-states into Roman systems.
-2 major requirements in Rome: 1) pay taxes 2) military service
-Half of Roman military made up of allied people.
-Military – Roman citizens that are soldiers but gain power, gain land, and even get
some of loots they captured.
Municipia
-Where the word “municipal” comes from; means you’re a conquered city.

3. Punic wars

-The struggles between Romans and Carthaginians.

First Punic War

-The war started because of Rome’s fear that the Carthaginians might gain
control over Messina.
-23 year of bitter fighting, concluded with a peace agreement with Carthage
forced to return Sicily back to Rome. They had to pay damages to Rome.

Second Punic War

-218, Carthage attempted to expand rule thru-out Spain as a threat to Rome’s
interests, and the Romans declared war; went on for 16 years, ending with the
Spanish offensive, Scipio’s invasion in Northern Africa, etc, and his victory
concluded the war; Carthaginians forced to abandon all possessions except the
city of Carthage itself.

Third Punic War

-By mid-second century BCE, Carthage managed to recover some of its former
prosperity, which provoked Romans; Romans were very obsessive.
-Rome demanded total demolition of Carthage; the Rome senate now wanted
Carthage to even abandon the city of Carthage, and to settle at least 10 mi away
from the coast, which was basically suicide for a nation depended on commerce.
-The demand of Rome was rejected by Carthage, invoking the third Punic war.
-Rome once again defeated Carthage; Carthaginian survivors were sold into
slavery.

Messina
A Sicilian port directly across from the Italian mainland.

Carthage
An empire along the northern coast of northern Africa to Spain/Sicily. A
Phoenician colony. Developed into a rich and powerful independent state.
4. Octavian/Augustus

-In Julius Caesar’s will, he adopted Octavian as his grandnephew and heir. When
Caesar got killed, Octavian was only 18-years-old and went to Rome to claim his heir.
-Octavian discovered he had to join forces with Caesar’s powerful friends Antony and
Lepidus. There was much tension b/t Antony and Octavian mounting. So Octavian
peaced out East and became alliances with Cleopatra hoping she’d lend him her
resources so he can screw Octavian right back.

Actium Battle (31 BCE)

-The naval battle b/t Octavian and Antony/Cleopatra, Octavian’s forces defeated
them, and then both of them committed suicide.

Augustan System of Govt.

-Ruled as consul for 4 years; followed by the “imperator” (emperor) and
“augustus” and this was the step historians deemed as the beginning of the
Roman empire.
-Augustus was determined not to appear as a dictator.
-Senate and the citizens had the supreme authority; but Augustus controlled the
army himself and determined govt policy.
-Augustus instituted new coinage system thru-out empire
-Augustus introduced a range of public services in the city of Rome
-Augustus reorganized the army
-Augustus allowed cities/provinces more rights of self-governing than before.
-Augustan propaganda pushed towards imperialism for domestic virtue and
sexual prosperity; he made divorces harder to obtain, made laws that punished
adultery, he penalized citizens who failed to marry / increase birthrate, required
widows to marry within 2 years.
-The Roman empire expanded a great deal under Augustus’ rule; gained more
land than any other ruler of Rome; conquered Switzerland, Austria, and Bulgaria.
-Augustus ruled for 4 decades, because of him Rome enjoyed almost 2 centuries
of peace, prosperity, and stability bc of his reforms.
-The Augustus system was adopted by the following emperors that succeeded
him after his death.
5. Etruscan influences upon the Romans

-Non-Indo-European-speaking settlers of the Italian peninsula who dominated the

region from the late Bronze Age until the rise of the Romans in the sixth century BCE.
-Established independent city-states in north-central Italy, 6th century BCE.
-Etruscans were skilled metal-workers, artists, and architects.
-Romans borrowed many knowledge and adopted many remedies from Etruscans; e.g.
the arch and the vault, the sport of gladiatorial combat, the practice of telling the future
by studying entrails of animals, and even the 2 most told myths about the founding of
Rome itself.

6. Scholasticism

-The emergence of Scholasticism is the medieval encounter b/t Greek and Arabic
philosophy and Christian faith; the theory and practice of reconciling classical
philosophy w/Christian faith.
-Has MANY meanings.

Root Meaning
-A highly systematic method of learning and teaching that respected authority.

World-view Meaning
-Taught that there was a compatibility b/t the knowledge humans can get by
experience / reason and the teachings of divine (religious) revelation.

Peter Abelard
-Paved the way for scholasticism; active around Paris in 12th century.
-He made himself many enemies; lacked tact; often outshone experts, he’d
openly humiliate his opponents/elders in public debate.
-His student, Heloise was seduced by him and got impregnated; he forced her
to marry him against her will; her family had him thrown in jail. He returned being
a teacher in Paris (peak of his career).
-His greatest contributions was the development of scholasticism; his book “Sic
et Non” (‘yes and no’) prepared the way for the scholastic method by gathering a
collection of statements from the church fathers that spoke for both sides of one
hundred fifty theological questions.
-Scholastics later followed his method of studying theology by (raising
fundamental questions and arraying the answers that had been put forth in txts)
-Was one of the first to harmonize religion with rationalism.
(6. scholasticism, con’td)

St. Thomas Aquinas

-(1225-1274) made the greatest accomplishments in scholasticism
-The leading scholastic theologian of the University of Paris.
-Said that faith could be defended by reason.
-Said that bc God created the natural world, God can be approached thru its
terms, even if certainty can be reached thru supernatural revelations of the Bible.
-Placed higher value on human reason & human life, and ability of humans to
participate in their own salvations.
-Helped inspire confidence in rationalism and human experience.
-Because of his achievements, it led on for western medieval thought to reach its
pinnacle.

7. Triumvirates

-A political regime dominated by three powerful political and/or military leaders. The
arrangement can be formal or informal, and though the three are usually equal on
paper, in reality this is rarely the case. The term can also be used to describe a state
with three different military leaders who all claim to be the sole leader of the state.

Roman Republic
-Twice the political power shifted from the formal magistrates & senate to three
men, thus creating a transitional govt “triumviratus”, each time only to break up
again in civil war.

First Triumvirate
-Informal governing body: Julius Caesar, Marcus Crassus, & Pompey the Great =
representing senatorial party. This fell apart when Crassus died, leaving the
other two fighting in a civil war, ending in Pompey’s death and Caesar prevailed
as the sole dictator.

Second Triumvirate
-Formal governing body: Octavian/Augustus, Marcus Lepidus, & Mark Antony.
Lepidus was sidelined, he was the third wheel to begin with anyway. Antony was
eliminated in a civil war, letting Octavian prevail.
8. Roman slavery

-A huge increase in slavery is seen that resulted from Rome’s western and eastern
conquests; Roman Italy became one of the most slave-based economies known to
history.
-Majority of slaves worked as agricultural laborers in the estates of Roman aristocracy.
-Slaves were treated like cattle; they were foreigners taken as prisoners of war.
-Standard policy of slave owners was to get as much work out of them as possible until
slave died of exhaustion or were thrown out at old age.
-The ready availability and cheapness of slaves made slavery an impersonal and brutal
institution – more than in any other slave-holding ancient civilization.
-Domestic slaves sometimes treated decently; some slave artisans permitted to run
their own business; but generally most slaves were treated terribly.
-Married slave not recognized by law bc they were a “property”.
-positive side: after a period of good service, the master would often free slaves very
frequently, or would offer slaves to buy their way out.

9. Feudalism

-A loose term reflecting the political and economic situation in 11th and 12th century
Europe. In this system, lords were owed agricultural labor and military service by their
serfs, and in turn owed allegiance to more powerful lords and kings.
-Different views: relationship among aristocracy; sociological view; economical view;
teacher’s view.

Nature of Feudal Relationship

-B/t the warrior aristocracy = according to Ganshof, feudalism is a relationship b/t
diff members of warrior aristocracy (it’s a military relationship) during early period
of middle ages.
-Beginning of feudal system: decision to tax land seemed to be best method to
collect taxes from people. People were fixed to land as tenant; tenant
responsible to land owner; land owner responsible to tenant to govt. The only
thing tenant does is farm on land or be a craftsman.
-Feudal relationship was contractual and personal; if either party failed / vassal
didn’t live up to responsibilities, he will lose his fief (grant of land).
-When 2 members of warrior aristocracy (Vassal subordinate to Lord) form
agreement.
-Lord owed vassal maintenance which was giving them fief, and defending their
vassal against any encounters since they didn’t have a govt. or police to protect.
-Vassal owes Lord by ensuring peasants, taking care of land granted by Lord;
vassal also owed much aid and counsel to Lord; give military service, had to
provide own horse and fighting equipment; vassal able to afford this stuff thru fief.

-The pinnacle of feudalism dies out around 1000-1300.

(9. Feudalism, con’td)

Hierarchy

1. Lord
-Large land owners (they don’t give it away; only giving it use to
vassals). Rely upon their vassals for duties (not exclusively
military)

2. Vassal
-Receives a fief (a grant of land)
-Could gain an arrangement where he would never have to go
somewhere / relocate geographically some place too far or remote;
a vassal can arrange to serve only where he lives.
-Could set a contractual time limit for how much military service he
could give (e.g. no more than 40 days in a year).
-Begin to demand only cash payments; took advantage of how
much benefits they could get or they’d leave their lord.
-Able to buy out of military service; Scutage.

3. Peasant
-Not part of feudal relationship.

Sociological View

Marc Bloc
-Presents sociological point of view of feudalism published a book called
“feudal society”.

Commendation
-Completed by warriors of aristocracy: homage & fealty.

Problems in Feudalism
-Multiplicity of homage (vassals shopping around and offering services to Lords
for diff offered fiefs) – can be problematic; if vassal has 3 lords at war that are
fighting against each other, which lord should vassal fight for?? This is resolved
by vassals designating a “primary lord” (liege homage)

Liege Homage
-A vassal can have more than 1 Lord, but a liege homage was most loyal. This
system also begins to break down when vassals start having more than 1 liege.
10. Republican form of government

Patricians
-Senatorial and Equestrian

1. Senatorial Class (HIGHEST)

-ppl that’ve made it politically, culturally, business, wealth, etc.
-To be in senatorial class, had to be nominated in becoming a censor.

2. Censor
-Serve for 18 months, overseeing county of all Romans in a census
(count all Roman citizens). Duty of ensuring Romans, making sure all
lived up to Roman values and ethics, etc.

3. Equestrian Class
-Not from noble families
-Someone of substance, wealth, if equestrian
wants to become senator, would have to get himself elected into
Roman state; often referred to “cunsus honorum”
-Dedication on battlefield
-the stepping-stone in becoming a Censor.
-Former slaves not allowed to have equestrian status.
-Moral behaviors can cause people to be rejected of eques status.
-Eques status was a time for one to prove themselves

4. Questor (LOWEST)
-There were more than 1 person at this position to let them alternate
(eg commander in chief consul alternates with some other consul)
-This rotating was done so that 1 person does not have to much power.
-Having many positions promoted cooperation which was VERY
important to Roman public life.

5. Aedile
-Supervising some services that had to be kept up in Rome (eg make sure
sewer was kept up, etc.) Title gave young men positions of power, etc.

6. Praetor
-Assistance to judicial officers or individual involved in prosecuting, or to
council to important people. If you become a praetor, can become
council in Roman state (great way to establish ties).

7. Amicitia
-Friendhsip beyond fides – was loyal and campaigned – thru this position
one could gain ties and run one day for office.
(10. Republican form of government, con’td)

8. Military
-Military can control civil societies.
-Able to gain upperhand / civil and control over Roman Society – which
leads to Republican government and dictatorship.

11. Patron-client system

Patron
Ppl who have upperhand, ones who clients look up to for support, advice, jobs,
Land, etc. Noble families had many clients, their “support” was for when you run
for politics, if you have enough clients, you can have enough support to get
elected.

Client
Obligated to support patron unconditionally.

18. Julius Caesar

-(100-44 BCE) The Roman general who conquered the Gauls, invaded Britain, and
expanded Rome’s territory in Asia Minor. He became the dictator of Rome in 46 BCE
and was murdered by Brutus and Cassius, which led to the rise of Augustus (his
adopted grandnephew / heir) and the end of the Roman republic.

19. Diocletian
-A Remarkable soldier named Diocletian, ruled as emperor 284-305, and imposed many
political and economic reforms on empire.
-His title was presented as “dominus” (lord).
-He realized the Roman empire became too large for one man to rule, so he split it in
half and had Maximian rule the western portion while he himself had the wealthier
eastern portion.

Rule of Four
-Government system created by Diocletian
-Roman empire divided into two portions; east and west, ruled by two “augusti”.
-A “caesar” (lieutenant) governed a subsection of these territories. The caesars
would also be the ones to take their place when the augusti’s die.
20. Cursus honorum
-If Equestrian wants to become senator, he would have to get himself elected into
cursus honorum (Roman state) – it was an honor. Would have to have morals and
good character, have to have had / dedicated self to public life; you can’t have JUST
wealth to be elected into these positions.

21. Pax Romana

-Means “Roman Peace” – it was not universal.
-Roman army massacred Britain, Temple of Jerusalem, etc.

22. Paterfamilias
-Head of family / male-member, usually father per household
-Have ultimate say in marriages of families until death of paterfamilias, everything
owned by each fam member belongs to father (paterfamilias)
-Helped reserve family wealth
-If woman dies in a marriage, woman remains under paterfamilias of her husband.
-When father / paterfamilias was gone (eg business trip) there would be a motherly
authority in place of him during his short leave.

Manus
Once woman marries, by law she no longer carries her maiden name.

23. Boccaccio’s Decameron

-Boccaccio (1313-1375) was an Italian prose writer famed for his “Dacameron”, which is
100 short stories about the human condition in a comical / cynical point of view.

24. Arian/Athanasian dispute

-Arians = The 4th century followers of a priest named Arius, who rejected the idea that
Christ could be equal with God.

25. Courtly love

-Codes of refined romantic behavior between men and women of high station / yuppies.
28. Monasticism

-Asceticism as a form of religious life; usually conducted in a community under a

common rule and characterized by celibacy and poverty and obedience. People who
dedicated their lives to a pursue of contemplative ideals and practices extreme self-
denial or self-mortification for religious reasons.
-Some Christians felt the New World was a far cry from Christian faith; initiated
Monasticism; emerged in 3rd century, and emerged for two reasons: substituted
conditions of death / suffering; and also for the response / trend of the increasing
worldliness of the 4th century church.
-Monasticism spread faster in East than it did in West.

29. Serfdom

-Slavery-like system of customs and laws whereby peasants were kept poor and
stationary by their manor lords; it had spread thru-out the West by the 10th century and
its peak was the Middle Ages.

30. Pharisaic teaching

-A group of Jewish teachers and preachers that emerged in the 3rd century BCE and
insisted that all of God’s commandments were binding on all Jews.

31. Averroes
-Succeeded Al-Ghazzali, Avveroes was a Spainared and greatest Aristotelian scholar of
his day.
-Wrote a series of commentaries on the works of Aristotle, and an expert in Muslim law
and theology and a physician.
-Subordinated theo into philosophy. Considered both theo and philosophy to be true in
diff ways (philosophy was literal, theo was symbolic). These views didn’t sit well with
the Islamic rulers of Spain, so they exiled him into Morocco where he died in 1198.
-The death of Averroes marked a turning point in Islamic philosophy; tended to blend
into Sufistic mysticism or Islamic orthodoxy.

32. Carthage

-An empire that rivaled with Rome; fought against Rome in Punic Wars that started
264 BCE and end with the destruction of Carthage in 146 BCE.

33. Augustine

-(354-397) One of the most influential Christian theologians of all time; described his
conversion in his autobiographical “Confessions” and formulated new aspects of
Christian theology in “On the City of God.”