CC 302/347 INTRO TO ANCIENT ROME Outline for Lecture 31: Evolution of Imperial Culture Flavian Dynasty Vespasian 69-79 Titus 79-81 Domitian 81-96 - elements of continuity with Julio-Claudians - Vespasian's program of renewal after civil wars of 68 - Tacitus called Vespasian the first emperor to improve after gaining power Evolution of Imperial Culture - two main problems under the Julio-Claudians and Flavians: Who was to be emperor? (problem of succession) To what extent would he limit his autocracy? - even more than under the Republic, the focus of the empire was in Rome - provinces were generally relatively safe from the impact of a bad emperor - the army was indispensable a) Senatorial class - progressive weakening of Senate - no significant faction of the Senate seriously considered restoring the Republic - development of a palace administration, operated by non-senators Imperial Persecution - the senatorial class was always viewed with suspicion by emperors - even under good emperors there were occasional political problems - Thrasea Paetus executed under Nero (silence=treason); - Helvidius Priscus exiled, executed under Vespasian b) Urban "Mob" - prone to unpredictable action, e.g. rioted during food shortages - bread and circuses reaches it peak: Colosseum dedicated, 80 CE Previous Outline Next Outline Course Index Syllabus