Dissertations and Theses @ UNI
Availability
Open Access Thesis
Keywords
Civilization; Punic wars; Rome--History--Republic, 510-30 BC; Rome--Civilization; Rome (Empire); 510-30 BC; History;
Abstract
The Roman conquest of the eastern Mediterranean (264-100 B.C.) was one of the more important events in Roman history. The expansion of Carthage had been brought to a halt when the genius of the Roman general Scipio enabled the Romans to defeat the Carthaginians decisively on their own ground, at Zama in North Africa. With Carthage subdued, Rome set out systematically forestalling the rise of any potentially dangerous rival in Greece or the Near East. Rome gradually filled the power vacuum left by the disintegrating Hellenistic states and for the first time in history, the whole Mediterranean area was to be dominated by one state. Once in the position of empire, Rome had to contend with an empires' consequences. Roman expansion caused readjustment in every phase of life, Political, social, economic, and cultural developments were revolutionized. This thesis deals with what actually changed in Roman life due to her conquests, and whether the changes were beneficial or detrimental. A summarized historical background is provided for a frame of reference, as the immediate question that arises when surveying the period of conquest, is how did a small city-state rise to a position as the leading power in the Mediterranean world. Immediate consequences of the Second Punic War (219-201 B.C.) are then discussed, the political and social changes caused by Roman military activities, such as the domination of the political scene by the Senate, the higher scale of living achieved by the upper classes, the decline of the free Italian farmer, the rise of the urban mob, and the influx of slaves. Roman architecture depended greatly upon the proven techniques that were present when Rome mastered the Mediterranean--techniques developed in Greece and Asia Minor. Heavily influenced by the Italian culture of the Etruscans (influenced themselves by the Southern Greek colonies), Rome soon turned to classical and Hellenistic Greek architecture for her standard of excellence to be imitated. What developed in architecture after the Roman conquest of the Mediterranean and the problem of 'original' versus 'eclectic' architecture is then discussed. Eastern influences on education, literature, religion and philosophy can also be seen. Again, Rome adopted imported ideas, as she wished to be recognized by the Greeks as a civilized state, and not only as a political force. The ensuing scramble to reshape Rome into the Greek mold was resisted by some (Cato) and welcomed by others (Scipio Aemilianus). Conclusions are then drawn as to whether Hellenic influence brought corruption, enlightenment or both. Mention is also made of Winckelmann's contribution in assessing Roman architecture as debased copies of Greek, and how important the effects of conquest during the 2nd century B.C. are to our modern civilization.
Year of Submission
1980
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Department of History
First Advisor
Howard Jones
Second Advisor
John Eiklor
Third Advisor
Allan Shickman
Date Original
1980
Object Description
1 PDF file (83 leaves)
Copyright
©1980 Deborah Carol Blinka
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Blinka, Deborah Carol, "Consequences of Conquest upon Roman Political, Social, Economic, Cultural and Architectural Development during and after the Punic Wars, 2nd Century B.C." (1980). Dissertations and Theses @ UNI. 2095.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/etd/2095
Comments
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