Lecture 12: Pax Romana:The Provinces
I. Aelius Aristides “On Rome” (155 AD)
“You
have caused the word “Roman” to be the name of a common race”
II. Unified Concentric Circles
A.
Concentric Circles
Frontier = defense; Civilized Provinces of Center
= taxes; Rome / Italy = Government
B.
Unifying factors:
-Central Government of Emperor:Pax Romana (Roman
Peace)
-Greek and Latin:Education;
Corduba produces Seneca Elder, Seneca Younger, Lucan
-Trade:Road system;
Alcantra Bridge; Wine;
Pottery (Terra Sigillata); Denarius
/ Aureus
-Urbanization:Orthogonal plans (like legionary camp);
forum / basilica /temple; common amenities (theater, circus, amphitheater,
baths, aqueducts)
III.The Provinces
East A. Historical Background
-Hellenistic
cities (polis) left alone by Rome
-Rome
adds cities (colonies) and increases amenities
-Redirects
inter-urban rivalries to benefactions
B.
Asia
1. Ephesus:Theater
(St. Paul and silversmiths); Library
of Celsus (cos. under Trajan); Baths
of Hadrian
2. Aphrodisias:City of Aphrodite / Venus; Julius Caesar
and Augustus favor; Theater and Basilica
by C. Iulius Zoilus (freedman of Augustus); Stadium
WestA. Historical Background
Non-civilized
peoples; proto-urbanization
Urbanization
as imperial control
B.
Africa
Lepcis Magna:Punic (Phoenician) past; Theater
and Market by Annobal Rufus (Punic
/ Roman name); New Forum by Septimius
Severus
C.
Gaul
Nemausus (Nimes):Greek urbanization in south; Agrippa
adds Maison Carrée (dedicated
to Gaius and Lucius); aqueduct (Pont du gard)
