Rise of the Early Roman Republic : Reflections on Becoming Roman

An audaciously daring narrative, this text presents an overview of the early history of Rome, focusing the reader’s attention to those distinctive and often hidden cultural features that contributed to create a unique ancient Roman mindset and civic outlook. Using an historical format, Thomas L. Dynneson addresses these cultural forces which ultimately shaped the Romans into the ancient world’s most powerful military city-state. Comprised of numerous values and beliefs, the Romans sought to develop their citizens as a cohesive whole. This approach enabled a mastering of both the practical and utilitarian tactics for solving problems, an expression of classical intellectualism. Identifying this sense of idealism paralleled with the Romans embodiment of sacrifice to overcome all obstacles, the author explores several features of becoming Roman. Within this text, each section is designed to pull together the general historical elements which helped to create a unique Roman citizenship. The final section of each chapter contains further analysis, including the author’s narrative regarding the general sources used, and the second containing a review of one exceptional recommended reading. The later chapters of the book provide a special "Recent Scholarship" section, which explores the work of recent scholars’ "revisionists" perspectives related to the traditional ancient sources. Cover......Page 1 Table of Contents......Page 9 Acknowledgments......Page 11 Preface......Page 13 Reflections on Becoming Roman......Page 14 What Is Civism?......Page 15 What Is Citizenship?......Page 17 What Is Acculturation?......Page 19 What Is Urbanization?......Page 21 What Is Assimilation?......Page 22 Recent Scholarship......Page 23 Introduction......Page 25 The Founding of Rome......Page 27 The Formation of the Republic......Page 28 The Middle Republic......Page 30 Empire Building......Page 31 Part One: Creating the Roman Mindset......Page 35 Chapter One: Numa Pompilius......Page 37 The Life and Times of Numa......Page 38 Numa on Religion......Page 39 Political Life......Page 40 Justice by Reason......Page 41 The Justified War......Page 42 Civic Harmony......Page 44 Death of Numa......Page 45 Reflections on Becoming Roman......Page 46 Related Chapter Sources......Page 47 Suggested Further Reading......Page 48 Chapter Two: Roman Religion......Page 50 The Nature of the Gods......Page 51 Public and Private Religion......Page 53 The Triads......Page 55 Numa’s Religious Institutions......Page 59 Priestly Orders......Page 60 Divination......Page 62 Triumphs and Games......Page 63 Reflections on Becoming Roman......Page 64 Related Chapter Sources......Page 67 Suggested Further Reading......Page 68 Chapter Three: Landscape of the Sacred City......Page 69 City Setting......Page 72 Sacred Origins of the City......Page 73 Landscape of Rome......Page 74 The Roman Pomerium......Page 76 Street Patterns......Page 78 The Cloaca Maxima......Page 79 The Forum......Page 80 The Temple of Jupiter......Page 81 Queen Juno Moneta......Page 82 Tiber Bridges......Page 83 City Housing (dominus)......Page 84 City Festivals......Page 85 Reflections on Becoming Roman......Page 86 Related Chapter Sources......Page 88 Suggested Further Readings......Page 89 The Flawed Hero......Page 91 Modifying Greek Influences......Page 93 Evolving Roman Virtus......Page 94 “Might Makes Right”......Page 96 Manliness......Page 97 The Better Man......Page 98 Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus......Page 99 Gaius Mucius Scaevola......Page 101 Symbols of Virtus......Page 103 Reflections on Becoming Roman......Page 105 Related Chapter Sources......Page 107 Suggested Further Reading......Page 108 Chapter Five: The Legend of Lucretia......Page 109 The Legend of Lucretia......Page 111 The Rationale......Page 112 The Banishment of Tyranny......Page 114 The Attempted Reclamation......Page 115 Legend as History......Page 116 Reflections on Becoming Roman......Page 119 Related Chapter Resources......Page 122 Suggested Further Reading......Page 123 Chapter Six: Roman Education......Page 124 Origins of Roman Education......Page 126 Enculturation......Page 127 The Social Landscape......Page 128 Motherhood and Education......Page 129 Military Training......Page 130 The Curricula......Page 131 Religious Instruction......Page 132 Oath-taking......Page 133 School Booths......Page 134 Reflections on Becoming Roman......Page 135 Suggested Further Reading......Page 137 Part Two: Roman Historical Cultural Origins......Page 139 Chapter Seven: Foundation Myths and Reality......Page 141 Reconstructing History......Page 144 Foundation Myths......Page 145 The Trojan Immigrants......Page 146 The Twins......Page 147 The She-Wolf......Page 149 Village Culture......Page 150 Tribal Kinship......Page 152 Reflections on Becoming Roman......Page 153 Related Chapter Sources......Page 157 Suggested Further Reading......Page 158 Chapter Eight: The Seven Kings of Rome......Page 159 The Early Roman Constitution......Page 160 Romulus (753–716 BCE)......Page 162 Numa Pompilius (716–672 BCE)......Page 163 Ancus Marcius (640–616 BCE)......Page 164 Lucius Tarquinius Priscus (616–578 BCE)......Page 165 Servius Tullius (578–534 BCE)......Page 168 Lucius Tarquin Superbus (534–509 BCE)......Page 170 Reflections on Becoming Roman......Page 171 Related Chapter Sources......Page 174 Suggested Further Reading......Page 175 Chapter Nine: Tribalism and Civilization......Page 176 Latial Cultural Development (see J. C. Meyer, 1983)......Page 177 Tribalism......Page 178 Tribalism According to Morgan......Page 179 Social Developmentalists......Page 180 What Does It Mean?......Page 182 Civilization......Page 183 Collectivism and Individualism......Page 185 The Urban Village (City Precincts)......Page 186 Reflections on Becoming Roman......Page 187 Related Chapter Sources......Page 189 Suggested Further Readings......Page 190 Part Three: Acculturation and Assimilation......Page 191 Chapter Ten: The Etruscans of Etruria......Page 193 Origins......Page 196 Ancestral Theories......Page 197 Archeological Evidence......Page 198 Early and Middle Bronze Age 2000–1300 BCE......Page 199 Early Iron Age (Villanovan) 900–700 BCE......Page 201 Orientalizing 700–570 BCE......Page 202 Archaic 570–470 BCE......Page 203 Hellenistic 300–31 BCE......Page 204 Advanced Cultual Elements......Page 205 Agriculture, Engineering, and Trade......Page 206 Etruscan/Roman Relationships......Page 207 Reflections on Becoming Roman......Page 208 Related Chapter Sources......Page 212 Suggested Further Reading......Page 214 Chapter Eleven: The Hellenes of Magna Graecia......Page 215 Early Exploration and Settlement......Page 216 Deception and Colonization......Page 217 Kyme (Ischia founded circa 1051 BCE)......Page 218 Metapontion (Metabus founded circa 773 BCE)......Page 220 Sybaris (circa founded 708 BCE)......Page 221 Kroton (Croton, Crotone founded circa 708 BCE)......Page 224 Taras (founded circa 706 BCE)......Page 225 Lokroi (Locri, Epizephrian Locris founded circa 773/678 BCE)......Page 227 Rhegion (Reggio, Rhegium Julium founded circa 737 BCE)......Page 229 Siris (founded circa twelfth century BCE)......Page 230 Kaulonia (Calonia, Caulon founded circa 760 BCE)......Page 231 Poseidonia (Paestum founded circa 700 BCE)......Page 232 Reflections on Becoming Roman......Page 234 Related Chapter Sources......Page 237 Suggested Further Readings......Page 239 Chapter Twelve: International Seagoing Trading System......Page 241 Historical Developments......Page 243 The Carthaginians......Page 244 Myths and Legends......Page 246 Social Institutions......Page 249 The Political Institutions......Page 251 Military Leadership......Page 253 Carthagian Citizenship......Page 254 Etrurian (Etruscan) Ports-of-Call......Page 255 Reflection on Becoming Roman......Page 257 Related Chapter Resources......Page 258 Suggested Further Reading......Page 260 Chapter Thirteen: Invasion of the Northern Barbarians......Page 261 Celtic Mythical Origins......Page 263 Elements of Celtic Culture......Page 264 Nomadic Restlessness......Page 265 Social Structures and Virtues......Page 266 The “Warriors Brethren”......Page 268 Male Enculturation......Page 269 Celtic Invasion......Page 270 Later Invasions......Page 271 Reflections on Becoming Roman......Page 272 Related Chapter Sources......Page 273 Suggested Further Reading......Page 274 Part Four: Political Elements of the Roman City-State......Page 277 Chapter Fourteen: The Patricians......Page 281 Origins of the Senate......Page 282 Marriage and Aristocracy......Page 283 The Tribal Society......Page 284 The Early City-State......Page 285 Military Brotherhood......Page 286 Aristocratic Acculturation......Page 287 The Dawn of the Republic......Page 288 Recent Scholarship......Page 289 Reflections on Becoming Roman......Page 292 Related Chapter Sources......Page 296 Suggested Further Reading......Page 298 Chapter Fifteen: The Plebeians......Page 299 The Empowered Oligarchy......Page 300 Struggle of the Orders......Page 301 Urbanization and Citizenship......Page 302 Catagories of Plebeians......Page 304 Self-Sufficient Small-plot Farmers......Page 305 Plebian Secession......Page 306 Recent Scholarship......Page 308 Reflections on Becoming Roman......Page 310 Related Chapter Resources......Page 311 Suggested Further Reading......Page 312 Chapter Sixteen: The Comitia Curiata and the Hoplite......Page 314 Origins of the Curia......Page 315 The Military Role of the Curia......Page 316 The Migrating Military Clans......Page 317 The Legend of the Three Hundred......Page 318 The Tribal “Constitution”......Page 319 The Roman City State......Page 321 Imperium......Page 322 The Power to Rule......Page 323 Recent Scholarship......Page 324 Reflections on Becoming Roman......Page 327 Related Chapter Resources......Page 330 Suggested Further Reading......Page 331 Chapter Seventeen: Servius and the Rise of the Roman City-State......Page 333 The Consolidation of Rome......Page 334 Credited Achievements of Servius......Page 335 Servius’ Military Reforms......Page 336 Seasonal Warfare......Page 337 The New Tribes......Page 338 The Comitia Centuriata......Page 340 Modern Scholarship......Page 341 Reflections on becoming Roman......Page 344 Related Chapter Sources......Page 346 Suggested Further Readings......Page 348 Part Five: The Emergence of the Roman Republic......Page 349 Chapter Eighteen: Foundations of the Roman Republic......Page 351 Republican Reforms......Page 353 Forms of the Consular System......Page 354 Recordkeeping......Page 355 Constitutional Safeguards......Page 356 Praetors......Page 358 Dictator......Page 359 Military Tribunes......Page 360 Nominations and Elections......Page 361 The Comitia Tributa......Page 362 Recent Scholarship......Page 363 The Ancient Sources......Page 366 Reflections on Becoming Roman......Page 367 Related Chapter Sources......Page 369 Suggested Further Readings......Page 370 The Life of the Mind......Page 373 The Human Mind......Page 374 The Domain of Mind......Page 375 Societal Education......Page 376 The Roman Mentality......Page 377 Myth and Legend......Page 379 Religion......Page 380 Custom and Tradition (mos maiorum)......Page 381 The Paterfamilia......Page 382 Military Virtues......Page 383 Pragmatism......Page 384 Lasting Roman Heritage......Page 385 Appendix......Page 387 Primary Sources......Page 393 Secondary Sources......Page 396 Index......Page 403 Cover 1 Table of Contents 9 Acknowledgments 11 Preface 13 Reflections on Becoming Roman 14 What Is Civism? 15 What Is Citizenship? 17 What Is Acculturation? 19 What Is Urbanization? 21 What Is Assimilation? 22 Assumptions 23 Recent Scholarship 23 Introduction 25 The Founding of Rome 27 The Age of Kings 28 The Formation of the Republic 28 The Evolution of Rome 30 The Middle Republic 30 Empire Building 31 Part One: Creating the Roman Mindset 35 Chapter One: Numa Pompilius 37 The Life and Times of Numa 38 A Philosopher King? 39 Numa on Religion 39 Political Life 40 A Call to Service 41 Justice by Reason 41 The Justified War 42 Civic Harmony 44 Death of Numa 45 Reflections on Becoming Roman 46 Related Chapter Sources 47 Suggested Further Reading 48 Chapter Two: Roman Religion 50 The Nature of the Gods 51 Public and Private Religion 53 The Triads 55 Numa’s Religious Institutions 59 Priestly Orders 60 Priestly Colleges 62 Divination 62 Triumphs and Games 63 Reflections on Becoming Roman 64 Related Chapter Sources 67 Suggested Further Reading 68 Chapter Three: Landscape of the Sacred City 69 City Setting 72 Sacred Origins of the City 73 Landscape of Rome 74 Urban Works 76 The Roman Pomerium 76 Street Patterns 78 The Cloaca Maxima 79 The Forum 80 The Temple of Jupiter 81 Capitol and Citadel 82 Queen Juno Moneta 82 Tiber Bridges 83 City Precincts 84 City Housing (dominus) 84 City Festivals 85 Reflections on Becoming Roman 86 Related Chapter Sources 88 Suggested Further Readings 89 Chapter Four: Roman Virtue 91 The Flawed Hero 91 Modifying Greek Influences 93 Evolving Roman Virtus 94 “Might Makes Right” 96 Manliness 97 The Better Man 98 Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus 99 Publius Horatius Cocles 101 Gaius Mucius Scaevola 101 Symbols of Virtus 103 Reflections on Becoming Roman 105 Related Chapter Sources 107 Suggested Further Reading 108 Chapter Five: The Legend of Lucretia 109 The Legend of Lucretia 111 The Rape 112 The Rationale 112 The Banishment of Tyranny 114 The Attempted Reclamation 115 Legend as History 116 Reflections on Becoming Roman 119 Related Chapter Resources 122 Suggested Further Reading 123 Chapter Six: Roman Education 124 Origins of Roman Education 126 Enculturation 127 The Social Landscape 128 Motherhood and Education 129 Education in Manliness 130 The Coming of Age 130 Military Training 130 Duty and Tradition 131 The Curricula 131 Religious Instruction 132 Religion as Civics 133 Oath-taking 133 Early Roman Schools 134 School Booths 134 Reflections on Becoming Roman 135 Related Chapter Resources 137 Suggested Further Reading 137 Part Two: Roman Historical Cultural Origins 139 Chapter Seven: Foundation Myths and Reality 141 Reconstructing History 144 Foundation Myths 145 The Trojan Immigrants 146 The Twins 147 The She-Wolf 149 Historic Rome 150 Village Culture 150 Tribal Kinship 152 Roman Urbanization 153 Reflections on Becoming Roman 153 Related Chapter Sources 157 Suggested Further Reading 158 Chapter Eight: The Seven Kings of Rome 159 The Early Roman Constitution 160 The Seven Kings of Rome 162 Romulus (753–716 BCE) 162 Numa Pompilius (716–672 BCE) 163 Tullus Hostilius (672–640 BCE) 164 Ancus Marcius (640–616 BCE) 164 Lucius Tarquinius Priscus (616–578 BCE) 165 Servius Tullius (578–534 BCE) 168 Lucius Tarquin Superbus (534–509 BCE) 170 Reflections on Becoming Roman 171 Related Chapter Sources 174 Suggested Further Reading 175 Chapter Nine: Tribalism and Civilization 176 Latium Artifacts Timetable 177 Latial Cultural Development (see J. C. Meyer, 1983) 177 Tribalism 178 Tribalism According to Morgan 179 Social Developmentalists 180 What Does It Mean? 182 Civilization 183 Collectivism and Individualism 185 The Urban Village (City Precincts) 186 Reflections on Becoming Roman 187 Related Chapter Sources 189 Suggested Further Readings 190 Part Three: Acculturation and Assimilation 191 Chapter Ten: The Etruscans of Etruria 193 Etruscan Civilization 196 Origins 196 Ancestral Theories 197 Archeological Evidence 198 Pre Bronze Age 12,000–2000 BCE 199 Early and Middle Bronze Age 2000–1300 BCE 199 Late and Final Bronze Age 1300–900 BCE 201 Early Iron Age (Villanovan) 900–700 BCE 201 Orientalizing 700–570 BCE 202 Archaic 570–470 BCE 203 Classical 470–300 BCE 204 Hellenistic 300–31 BCE 204 Advanced Cultual Elements 205 The Etruscan Confederation 206 Agriculture, Engineering, and Trade 206 Empire Building 207 Etruscan/Roman Relationships 207 Reflections on Becoming Roman 208 Related Chapter Sources 212 Suggested Further Reading 214 Chapter Eleven: The Hellenes of Magna Graecia 215 Early Exploration and Settlement 216 The Sikel 217 The Corinthians and Laconians 217 Deception and Colonization 217 Greek City-States of Magna Graecia 218 Kyme (Ischia founded circa 1051 BCE) 218 Metapontion (Metabus founded circa 773 BCE) 220 Sybaris (circa founded 708 BCE) 221 Kroton (Croton, Crotone founded circa 708 BCE) 224 Taras (founded circa 706 BCE) 225 Lokroi (Locri, Epizephrian Locris founded circa 773/678 BCE) 227 Rhegion (Reggio, Rhegium Julium founded circa 737 BCE) 229 Siris (founded circa twelfth century BCE) 230 Kaulonia (Calonia, Caulon founded circa 760 BCE) 231 Poseidonia (Paestum founded circa 700 BCE) 232 Reflections on Becoming Roman 234 Related Chapter Sources 237 Suggested Further Readings 239 Chapter Twelve: International Seagoing Trading System 241 Historical Developments 243 The Carthaginians 244 Carthagian Origins 246 Myths and Legends 246 Social Institutions 249 The Political Institutions 251 Military Leadership 253 Carthagian Citizenship 254 Maritime Empire 255 Etrurian (Etruscan) Ports-of-Call 255 Reflection on Becoming Roman 257 Related Chapter Resources 258 Suggested Further Reading 260 Chapter Thirteen: Invasion of the Northern Barbarians 261 Celtic Mythical Origins 263 Elements of Celtic Culture 264 Nomadic Restlessness 265 Social Structures and Virtues 266 The “Warriors Brethren” 268 Male Enculturation 269 Celtic Invasion 270 Later Invasions 271 Reflections on Becoming Roman 272 Related Chapter Sources 273 Suggested Further Reading 274 Part Four: Political Elements of the Roman City-State 277 Chapter Fourteen: The Patricians 281 Origins of the Aristocracy 282 Origins of the Senate 282 The Roman Family 283 Marriage and Aristocracy 283 The Tribal Society 284 The “Traditional” History 285 The Early City-State 285 Military Brotherhood 286 Aristocratic Acculturation 287 The Hellenization of the Aristocracy 288 The Dawn of the Republic 288 Recent Scholarship 289 Reflections on Becoming Roman 292 Related Chapter Sources 296 Suggested Further Reading 298 Chapter Fifteen: The Plebeians 299 The Empowered Oligarchy 300 Struggle of the Orders 301 Manumitted Slaves 302 A Weakened Aristocracy? 302 Urbanization and Citizenship 302 Catagories of Plebeians 304 The Destitute Rural Proletariat 305 Urban Proletariat 305 Self-Sufficient Small-plot Farmers 305 Wealthy “New Men” 306 Plebian Secession 306 Recent Scholarship 308 Reflections on Becoming Roman 310 Related Chapter Resources 311 Suggested Further Reading 312 Chapter Sixteen: The Comitia Curiata and the Hoplite 314 The Ancient Curia 315 Origins of the Curia 315 Tribal Unification 316 The Military Role of the Curia 316 Origins of the Hoplite Military System 317 The Migrating Military Clans 317 The Legend of the Three Hundred 318 The Tribal “Constitution” 319 The Roman City State 321 The Role of Romulus 322 The Power to Rule 323 Imperium 322 People Power 324 Recent Scholarship 324 Reflections on Becoming Roman 327 Related Chapter Resources 330 Suggested Further Reading 331 Chapter Seventeen: Servius and the Rise of the Roman City-State 333 The Consolidation of Rome 334 Credited Achievements of Servius 335 Servius’ Military Reforms 336 Seasonal Warfare 337 The New Tribes 338 The Comitia Centuriata 340 Modern Scholarship 341 Reflections on becoming Roman 344 Related Chapter Sources 346 Suggested Further Readings 348 Part Five: The Emergence of the Roman Republic 349 Chapter Eighteen: Foundations of the Roman Republic 351 Republican Reforms 353 Forms of the Consular System 354 Recordkeeping 355 Separated or Divided Tasks 356 Constitutional Safeguards 356 Republican Exective Positions 358 Consuls 358 Praetors 358 Quaestors 359 Interrex 359 Dictator 359 Censors 360 Tribunes of the Plebs 360 Military Tribunes 360 Aediles 361 Nominations and Elections 361 Republican Assemblies 362 The Comitia Curiata 362 The Comitia Tributa 362 The Comitia Centuriata 363 Recent Scholarship 363 The Ancient Sources 366 Reflections on Becoming Roman 367 Related Chapter Sources 369 Suggested Further Readings 370 Conclusion 373 Creating of the Roman Mindset 373 The Life of the Mind 373 The “Ideal” Government 374 The Human Mind 374 The Domain of Mind 375 Societal Education 376 The Roman Mentality 377 Myth and Legend 379 Religion 380 Custom and Tradition (mos maiorum) 381 Domineering Aristocracy 382 The Paterfamilia 382 Military Virtues 383 The Cityscape 384 Pragmatism 384 Lasting Roman Heritage 385 Appendix 387 Bibliography 393 Primary Sources 393 Secondary Sources 396 Index 403 “Thomas L. Dynneson has done it again! Continuing his insightful series of books on the concept of civism--the intersection of education, custom, and law that defines the ideal citizen--Dynneson explores the rise of the Roman Republic to gain an understanding of how the socialization of citizenship, urbanization, and assimilation contributed to a distinctive Roman brand of civism. He provides a compelling narrative that explains how, in his words, Roman citizenship 'would become a unique compounding power that was destined to allow one city to rule the entire Mediterranean world.' It is a terrific contribution to our historical understanding of Rome and the formation of Roman character.”--Edward Schiappa, John E. Burchard Chair of Humanities, M.I.T Acknowledgments - Preface - Introduction - Numa Pompilius - Roman Religion - Landscape of the Sacred City - Roman Virtue - The Legend of Lucretia - Roman Education - Foundation Myths and Reality - The Seven Kings of Rome - Tribalism and Civilization - The Etruscans of Etruria - The Hellenes of Magna Graecia - International Seagoing Trading System - Invasion of the Northern Barbarians - The Patricians - The Plebeians - The Comitia Curiata and the Hoplite - Servius and the Rise of the Roman City-State - Foundations of the Roman Republic - Conclusion - Appendix: Maps - Bibliography - Index