05Rome05s

Ancient Civilizations: Rome: 

Ancient Civilizations: Rome History of Economic Thought Boise State University Spring 2005 Prof. D. Allen Dalton

Background: 

Background Central contributions of Rome to economic thought and institutions Cicero’s contributions to philosophy arises during the period of Decline of the Republic Roman Law a legacy of both Republican and Imperial periods

Background: 

Background Founded in the mid-8th century BCE, the history of Rome really begins in 509 BCE, when the Romans overthrew Tarquinius Superbus, ending Etruscan rule and the monarchial period of Rome Rome is founded as a Republic, but the process of conquest it undertook led to the demise of the Republic and the rise of the Empire Important, too, to the understanding of Roman contributions is the “Greek Conquest of Rome” (175-150 BCE)

Central Elements of Roman Republic: 

Central Elements of Roman Republic The Twelve Tables and Roman Society basis of education recognition and protection of private property rights centered around patriarchal family establishes importance of Law to Roman society Citizenship and The Roman Republic originally born/adopted to original 3 tribes males, 15 years of age no public office may be held before 10 years of military service

Government in the Republic: 

Government in the Republic Assembly of Centuries (divided by property class) chooses magistrates Senate life membership of ex-consuls and ex-censors exclusive power of foreign relations, prosecuting war, alliances, treaties Hierarchy of Magistrates (1 year terms) with increasing responsibilities up to the two consuls who led state religious rites, preside over Senate and Assemblies, initiate legislation, raise armies, command legions

Class Structure in the Republic: 

Class Structure in the Republic Classes The “orders” Clans (Original/founding families) form upper aristocracy Yeoman farmers (small land owners) Equites (businessmen) Plebians (artisans, tradesmen, freedmen, peasants) clients of Aristocracy and Equites Slaves Citizenship originally tied to land, then extended to those who performed “service” to Rome

Economy in the Republic: 

Economy in the Republic Economy in The Roman Republic agricultural base originally small land yeoman farmers development of latifundia as conquests progress and small landowners (tied to legion) find it more reasonable to sell; slavery exacerbates situation state ownership of all mines manufactures (weapons and textiles) other manufactures independent craftsmen trade dominated by Greeks and Orientals finance/banking associated with aristocracy

End of the Republic: 

End of the Republic Four Causes of the End of the Republic 1. Influx of slaves from conquests displaces peasants and free workers 2. Influx of slave-grown grain from latifundias depress grain prices 3. Growth of latifundia and displacement of yeoman farmers 4. Peasants and yeoman farmers trade toil for free games, cheap government grain, and selling votes Once a community of free farmers, Rome becomes a society resting upon external plunder and internal slavery

Transition to Empire: 

Transition to Empire -44: Caesar proclaimed dictator for life, ending Roman Republic; assassinated Second Triumvirate (44 BCE - 33 BCE) Mark Antony, Lepidus and Octavian Caesar -27: Octavian awarded title of Augustus, beginning Julian reign

Rise of Empire: 

Rise of Empire The Julians (Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula) 41-68: The Claudians (Claudius, Nero, Galba, Otho) first persecution of followers of “Cristus” 69-96: The Flavians (Vespasian, Titus, Domitian) Conquest of Palestine 96-180: The Five Good Emperors (Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antonínus Pius, Marcus Aurelius) Trajan, 117 CE, Empire at greatest extent

The Roman Empire (117 CE): 

The Roman Empire (117 CE)

Decline of Empire: 

Decline of Empire 180-284: Era of Turmoil Progressive debasement of coinage, “barbarian” invasions and plague, end of expansion and plunder 284-305: Diocletian attempts to restore empire, heavy taxation and debasement of coinage; Diocletian’s wage and price controls of 301 306-337: Constantine I (the Great) 337: Division of the Empire into East and West 379-395: Theodosius I 476: Odovocar conquers Italy, ending Western empire Byzantine Empire lasts until 1453

Cicero and Philosophy: 

Cicero and Philosophy Marcus Tullius Cicero (106 BCE - 43 BCE) philosophical Skepticism ethical Stoicism St. Augustine claimed Cicero’s Hortensius (Exhortation to Philosophy) turned him away from his sinful life and towards philosophy and ultimately to God

Cicero and Philosophy: 

Cicero and Philosophy De Republica (On the Republic) the Republic is superior form of government because it is a mixed government the Republic is being destroyed by moral decay of the aristocracy An active life of virtue, and the foundation of community in the equality of all human beings, the role of the statesman, and the concept of natural law are emphasized

Cicero and Philosophy: 

Cicero and Philosophy De Legibus (On the Laws) By nature, human beings have reason Reason enables man to discover the principles of justice Principles of justice informs man as to just law Therefore any valid law is rooted in nature, and any law not rooted in nature (such as a law made by a tyrant) is no law at all The gods share in reason; because of this they can be said to be part of a community with humanity

Roman Law: 

Roman Law Influences Natural Law Land as Basis of Republic Jurisprudence summed up in two great collections of Roman Law: Theodosian Code (438 CE) Corpus Juris Civilis - Justinian (530 CE)

Roman Law: 

Roman Law Economic contributions voluntary agreement, contracts, and just price contract law protects trade and guarantees recognition of title transfer involuntary agreement and fraud corporation as independent entity Corpus Juris Civilis later incorporated into Christian Canon Law by St. Benedictus Diaconus in 9th Century

Further Reading: 

Further Reading General History Will Durant, Caesar and Christ, 1944. Michael Grant, The Founders of the Western World, 1991. Economics/Philosophy Cicero (N. Rudd, trans.), The Republic and the Laws, 1998. B.B. Price, ed., Ancient Economic Thought, 1997.