Lecture 1 Flashcards
What is social and personal identity?
Social: identity attributed to us by membership in society
Personal: identity that mark us as a distinct individual
What is culture?
Culture is the way you think, act and interact.
What is public sphere of the state?
Struggle for power and leadership that gives individuals the ability to make authoritative decisions for society.
From poli to cosmo-polis
Greek culture spread by Alexander the Great. Then the creation of a hellinistic society (mix of greek culture and pre-existing traditions of various regions). Urban elites then embrace Greek culture.
Greek intellectual heritage
Fostering individual spiritual development: arts, science, philosophy
Concept of citizens civil rights as opposed to a powerful state. (Birth place of democracy)
Romans
Greek values taken over and developed by the people of Rome.
Admiration for Greek culture.
Greco-Roman civilisation.
Rome and war
Rome was an expansionist military power.
Created foreign enemies to minimise internal tensions.
War was a way to achieve fame, wealth and status.
Conquered areas of Rome
Conquered areas placed under Rome’s government.
Local elites stayed in power if they followed Rome’s government.
What is romanization?
Placement of temples, baths, aqueducts.
Network of roads that linked Roman territories.
Notions that Romans invented (Roman legal heritage)
- benefit of the doubt
- the spirit of law prevails over this letter
What was the Roman culture?
- status and power determined by wealth and prestige.
- way to the top was open to all free men living the Roman way
- all citizens had equal rights and equal claim to success as long as living the paideia ideal
Paideia ideal:
Reading, writing in latin, based on greek texts
Roman strengths
Advanced communication network
Lingua franca
Open cultural ideals
