Part Nine IX › Division I I › Section 912 912

Peoples of Ancient Europe and the Classical Civilizations of the Ancient Mediterranean World to AD 395

Subject Outline

ANon-Classical ancient Europe
- 1The geography and ethnography of Europe, archaeological and documentary historical sources, historiographic problems
- 2Europe before the Iron Age
  - aSpread of Neolithic farming communities throughout all of Europe by c. 2000 bc
  - bSpread of Bronze Age industry throughout Europe by c. 1500 bc: population movements into southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia in the 2nd millennium bc, the Indo-Europeans
- 3Non-Classical Europe in the Iron Age (c. 650 bc -c. ad 100)
  - aThe Etruscans and other Italic peoples, the non-Greek peoples of the Balkan Peninsula
    - iConjectured Etruscan origins; Etruscan language and writing; cities; government and society; art and religion; maritime expansion; foreign relations with the Greeks, Carthaginians, and other Italic peoples; decline after c. 500 bc and eventual Roman conquest in the mid-3rd century
    - iiOther Italic peoples: the Umbro-Sabellians, Oscans, Apulians, Latins, Siculi, Ligurians, Veneti, and Piceni; their cultures; their relations with the Greeks, Etruscans, and Carthaginians; eventual absorption by Rome
    - iiiNon-Greek peoples of the Balkan Peninsula; e.g., Illyrians, Thracians: their culture and relationship to Classical civilizations
  - bTrans- Alpine Europe and the Iberian Peninsula
    - iThe Celts: the Hallstatt Period (7th-6th centuries bc); Celtic occupation of Europe from the Danube to the Iberian Peninsula and the British Isles by c. 500 bc; Celtic penetration of Italy, the Balkan Peninsula, and Anatolia during the La Tene period (after c. 500 bc); subjugation in Gaul by Rome by 50 bc and later by the Germans by the 5th century ad; Celtic art, religion, and social and political organization
    - iiThe Germans: their acquisition of Iron Age culture, migration into the Elbe-Rhine region by c. 500 bc, pressure on the Celts and Rome, inundation of the western half of the Roman Empire by the 5th century ad, Germanic social and political organization, religion and mythology
  - cAncient peoples of the European steppe
    - iThe Cimmerians: conjectured origins; southward migration, under Scythian pressure, from north of the Caucasus into Southwest Asia in the 8th and 7th centuries bc
    - iiThe Scythians (Sakas): westward migration from the 8th century bc and eventual establishment in India and southern Russia after c. 600 bc; the Kingdom of the Royal Scyths in southern Russia from c. 600 bc to c. ad 100; relations with the Greeks and with Achaemenid Persia; government, society, and military tactics; art and religion
    - iiiThe Sarmatian migration into southern Russia in the 4th century bc and gradual displacement of the Scythians by c. ad 100; conflict with Rome; conquest by the Goths and Huns in the 3rd and 4th centuries ad; society, art, and religion
BArchaic Greece and the development of Classical Greek civilization (c. 1200-323 bc)
- 1The Early Archaic and Archaic periods (c. 1200-c. 500 bc)
  - aThe Dorian invasions, the Greek migrations to Anatolia, and their results (Proto-Geometric Period, c. 1100-c. 900 bc)
  - bThe Geometric Period (c. 900-c. 750 bc): the world of Homer and Hesiod, the beginning of writing and of the polis, mythology and religious developments, the panhellenic centres (e.g., Olympia, Delphi), social and political organization
  - cThe Archaic Period (c. 750-c. 500 bc)
    - iGeneral trends in the poleis: displacement of monarchy by aristocracy, development of a money economy, socioeconomic crises and the rise and fall of tyranny, the colonization movement, relations among the poleis (e.g., leagues, wars)
    - iiThe poleis of mainland Greece: the emergence of Spartan dominance over the Peloponnese and of a military-oriented polity and repression; aristocracy and tyranny at Athens, the reforms of Solon, and the institution of democracy under Cleisthenes; tyranny, aristocracy, and economic expansion at Corinth; the other poleis of the Peloponnese, the Isthmus, Euboea, and Boeotia
    - iiiThe Greeks in Asia Minor (Anatolia): Dorian and Aeolian cities; Miletus, Ephesus, and other Ionian cities; their commercial and cultural efflorescence
    - ivThe Greek islands: the Cyclades, Sporades, Crete, Cyprus, and the Ionian Islands
    - vThe Greek colonies and emporia in the West and Africa: southern Italy and Sicily (e.g., Cumae, Syracuse), Gaul and the Iberian Peninsula (e.g., Massilia), Cyrene and Naukratis
    - viThe Greeks in the North: Chalcidice, Thrace, Propontis (e.g., Byzantium, Abydos, Lampsacus), and Pontus (e.g., Black Sea region, Sinope, and Trapezus)
    - viiThe arts in the Archaic Period; rationalism and irrationalism and the beginnings of philosophy and science, Orphism and the cult of Dionysus
    - viiiThe Greco-Persian Wars: the Persian (Achaemenid) conquest of Asia Minor and Thrace and the Ionian revolt (499 bc), Darius' (490 bc) and Xerxes' (480 bc) invasions of Greece and eventual Greek victory, the Greek offensive (479 bc), results of the wars, Herodotus' account of the conflict
- 2The Classical period {c. 500-323 bc)
  - aAthens in the age of Pericles
    - iThe Delian League and the Athenian Empire
    - iiTemporary retardation and final development of the democracy, society and economy
    - iiiCultural efflorescence; e.g., the rebuilding of the Acropolis, drama, the pre-Socratic philosophers
  - bThe Peloponnesian League and the other Greek states in the 5th century bc: relations among the Greek states from 479 to 431 bc
  - cThe Peloponnesian War (431-404 bc): the war to the Peace of Nicias (421), renewal of the war and the defeat of Athens, intellectual and political changes at Athens (e.g., oligarchic revolution, the Sophists and Socrates), Thucydides' account of the war
  - dThe era of the Spartan and Theban hegemonies in Greece: Spartan policies toward the Greek states, relations with Persia, Athens and Thebes against Sparta, the Second Athenian League and the restoration of democracy, Theban expansion and containment, peace and the balance of power in Greece
  - eThe northern kingdoms: Epirus, the rise of Macedonia and the conquest of Greece under Philip II
  - fThe western Greeks: conflict with Carthage, the rise of Syracuse under Dionysius the Elder
  - gGreek culture in the 4th century bc: developments in philosophy and the arts
  - hThe empire of Alexander III the Great: relations with the Greeks; the conquest of the Persian Empire (334-330 bc), Bactria, and the Indus Valley (330-323 bc); the ideals and governing practices of Alexander and the diversity of his empire
CThe Hellenistic Age (323-27 bc)
- 1Establishment of the Hellenistic kingdoms and monarchies
  - aThe regency and warfare among rival generals after Alexander's death (323-276 bc)
  - bMacedonian and Ptolemaic Egypt (323-30 bc)
    - iThe Ptolemaic dynasty: dynastic strife and the end of the dynasty with the death of Cleopatra (30 bc)
    - iiGovernment and civilization of Hellenistic Egypt
  - cThe Seleucid Kingdom in Asia: the dynasty, government, society, culture, and economy in its diverse regions; Jewish resistance; territorial losses in the 3rd century
  - dGreek rule in Bactria and India
  - eThe Attalid kingdom of Pergamum and the native states in Asia Minor: Bithynia, Pontus, Cappadocia, Galatia, and Rhodes
  - fThe Antigonid kingdom of Macedonia: government and foreign policy
  - gGreece: social and political changes in the polis, the Achaean and Aetolian leagues, Athens and the other Greek states
  - hThe western Greeks, Epirus, Sicily under Agathocles (317-289 bc) and Hieron II (c. 270- 216/215 bc) until its absorption by Rome
- 2Relations among the Hellenistic states and other peoples from c. 275 to 27 bc
  - aExpansionist policies of the Ptolemies in the Aegean and Asia Minor and Syria and their conflicts with the Seleucids
  - bConflicts between the Greek leagues and the Antigonids in the 3rd century bc
  - cThe Celtic migrations: expansion into the Iberian Peninsula, the British Isles, and Rome and southern Italy; later expansion into central Europe, the Carpathians, and the Balkans
  - dThe vigorous policies of Antiochus III and Philip V; the breakup of the Seleucid Empire; the entrance of Rome into the affairs of the Hellenistic states, resulting in their eventual incorporation into the Roman Empire
- 3Hellenistic political, social, economic, and cultural institutions
  - aHellenistic monarchy and royal administration
  - bCultural developments: developments in philosophy, science, the arts, education, and religion
DThe rise of Rome
- 1The character and achievements of the Romans, the archaeological and documentary historical sources (e.g., Pompeii and Herculaneum), historiographic problems
- 2Early (regal) Rome to the 6th century bc
  - aMyths of origins and the early monarchy
  - bThe Etruscan hegemony and formative influence over Rome
  - cDevelopment of Roman social, religious, political, and military institutions; Roman virtues
- 3The early Roman Republic (6th century-264 bc)
  - aOverthrow of the monarchy and establishment of the republic and its institutions: the magistracies, judicial institutions, the Senate, plebeian institutions
  - bExpansion of Rome in Italy: Rome and its Latin neighbours, the Gallic invasion and further conquests, Roman mastery of Italy
- 4The middle republic: the emergence of Rome as the leading Mediterranean power (264-133 bc)
  - aThe First and Second Punic Wars
    - iThe First Punic War (264-241 bc) and its aftermath: the emergence of Roman naval power and acquisition of Sicily (24 1 bc), later annexation of Corsica and Sardinia (238 bc)
    - iiRoman expansion into Cisalpine Gaul and entry into Greek affairs
    - iiiThe Second Punic War (218-201 bc): Hannibal's invasion of Italy, his initial victories, and the war of attrition in Italy; Roman defeat of the Carthaginians at the Battle of the Metaurus (207 bc); the First Macedonian War (214-205 bc) and the conflict in Spain; Roman counteroffensive and victory in Africa (202 bc); Roman pacification of conquered territories
  - bEstablishment of Roman hegemony in the Hellenistic world
    - iEstablishment of a Roman protectorate over Greece after the Second Macedonian War (200-196 bc), the conquest of Macedonia and Illyricum (168 bc), the reduction of Rhodes, Roman exclusion of Seleucid power from the Aegean
    - iiThe Third Punic War (149-146 bc): the destruction of Carthage, subjugation of Macedonia and Greece
    - iiiBeginning of Roman provincial administration, abuses, Romanization of the empire
  - cRoman government and economy in the middle republic: consuls, the Senate, and popular assemblies; development of large business interests, grazing estates, and urban immigration
  - dRoman culture in the middle republic: Hellenizing influences
- 5The late Roman Republic (133-31 bc)
  - aSocial and economic ills in Italy and the reform movement of the Gracchi (133-121 bc) and its results: the rise of middle-class equites
  - bRoman wars against the Celts and the conquest of Gallia Narbonensis (121 bc), wars against Jugurtha of Numidia (112-105 bc) and the Germans (105-101 bc), Marius' career and military reforms
  - cEvents in Asia and the first war with Mithradates VI Eupator (88-85 bc): Italian allies (socii) against Rome in the Social War (90-89 bc) and their subsequent enfranchisement, the dictatorship and constitution of Sulla (82-80 bc)
  - dThe Roman state in the two decades after Sulla
    - iPompey's early career, revolts against Roman rule, Pompey's alliance with Crassus and repeal of the Sullan system, his extraordinary commands
    - iiGrowing political suspicion and the outbreak of violence in the mid- 1st century bc: the conspiracies of Catiline, Cicero's decline, the rise of Caesar and Pompey
  - eThe alliance of Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus (59-44 bc): Caesar's conquest of Gaul; political maneuvers and the outbreak of the Civil War; Caesar's triumph, dictatorship, and assassination
  - fThe initial cooperation of Octavian and Mark Antony in the Triumvirate and Octavian's achievement of sole power (43-31 bc): the annexation of Egypt and its administration
  - gRoman law during the late republic: the development of new procedures, the role of magistrates, the law of succession
  - hCulture in the late republic: oratory and philosophy, the arts
EThe Roman Empire (31 bc-ad 395)
- 1Consolidation of the empire under the Julio-Claudians (31 bc-ad 68)
  - aAugustus' establishment of the principate (27 bc-ad 14): the role of the princeps; the imperial administration, fiscal and military reforms, and the founding of new colonies; social and religious legislation; economic growth
  - bThe Roman Empire at the time of Augustus: provincial administration, the imperial frontiers, the western provinces, the eastern provinces, the economic unification of the Mediterranean
  - cForeign policy: Roman relations with Parthia and the other states in the East; the southern, western, and northern frontiers
  - dThe culture of the Augustan Age: contributions of Livy, Virgil, Horace, and Ovid; religion; the visual arts
  - eThe empire under Tiberius (ad 14-37), Caligula (ad 37-41), Claudius I (ad 41-54), and Nero (ad 54-68): internal and frontier policies, the annexation of Britain, Tacitus' accounts, civil war and revolt in "the year of the four Emperors" (ad 69)
- 2Growth of the empire under the Flavians and Antonines (ad 69-192)
  - aThe Flavian emperors (ad 69-96): Vespasian's fiscal and provincial reorganization, military and frontier policies, Titus and the suppression of the Jewish revolt, Domitian's despotism, military development and frontiers
  - bThe Antonine emperors (ad 96-192): the reigns of Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius, and Commodus; the beginning of imperial decline after ad 180
- 3The zenith of the Roman Empire in the late 1st and 2nd centuries ad
  - aThe city of Rome and the empire: methods of Roman imperialism; the cities, culture, society, politics, and economy of the western and eastern provinces; the legions and frontier defenses
  - bGreco-Roman culture of the late 1st and 2nd centuries ad: developments in philosophy, religion, technology, and the arts
- 4Changes and crises in the Roman Empire in the 3rd and 4th centuries ad
  - aCivil wars, conflict with Parthia, the growth of bureaucracy, and militarization of government under the Severan dynasty (ad 193-235)
  - bReligious and cultural life: the public religions under the empire, the rise and spread of Christianity and other Eastern religions, official persecution of Christianity
  - cThe transformation of Greco-Roman culture in late antiquity (3rd and 4th centuries ad), Greek revival and growth of Christian theology
  - dMilitary anarchy and disintegration of the Roman Empire (ad 235-270): the Gordians, the beginning of Germanic invasions, loss of eastern provinces, economic and social crisis
  - eThe recovery of the Roman Empire and the establishment of the dominate (ad 270-337): the recovery measures of Aurelian and his immediate successors
    - iDiocletian's (284-305) fundamental political and economic measures: persecution of Christians, struggle for power
    - iiConstantine the Great (307-337) and his conversion to Christianity, administration, and founding of Constantinople
  - fThe Roman Empire under the 4th-century successors of Constantine to Theodosius I (ad 379-395)
    - iThe rule of Constantine's sons (337-361): renewed wars with Sasanid Persia and increased penetration of the empire by the Germans
    - iiJulian's reign (361-363): the attempt to restore the old empire
    - iiiEstablishment of Christianity as the sole state religion; social, economic, and urban decline; remnants of pagan culture
  - gThe provinces under the later empire and the eclipse of the empire in the West: Germanic hegemony and the invasions by other peoples