The Weight of Empire
The Center and the Provinces
• How does Rosenwein explain the influence of provincial art
forms from the third century onward? How do these artworks
differ from the works produced in the urban centers?
• How does Rosenwein describe these provincial artworks--i.e.,
what value does she attribute to them? Looking at them in
comparison with the more traditional Roman art, would you
be inclined to say that one group is better art than the other?
Why or why not?
• Rosenwein mentions the influence that provincial art had on
the "center," yet at the same time ends her discussion by
referring to a "renaissance of the fourth and early fifth
centures." What does she mean by this? What are the
implications of such a label?
A Donatist’s Sermon
• What beliefs distinguished
the Donatists from
Catholic Christians?
• How does the author
characterize his foes,
especially Constantine's
desire for unity? Of what
does he accuse the imperial
authorities?
• Contrast this text with
Eusebius’. To what extent
is history always written by
the victors?
Wickham: Chapter 2
• Roman imperial authority was not enlightened in
modern terms.
• Roman imperial authority was not destined to
collapse in 400.
• Rome ruled the entire Mediterranean basin.
• Rome and other cities were “artificially large,”
supported by a dole provided by wealthy
individuals.
• Curiales: administrative class; traditional
interpretation, that this group was hard-pressed, is
in Wickham’s view overly negative.
Unifying forces
• Emperors: Wickham: “The empire was run by
amateurs.”
• Senate: a bastion of prestige, tradition. Shared
culture.
• Roman law: Theodosian Code
• Roman army
• Tax system
Local differences
•
•
•
•
•
•
Most people were peasants—perhaps 80%
More peasant owners in East than in West
More peasants in villages in East
Importance of commerce
Multiple languages
Underlying sense of cohesiveness
Beyond the borders
•
•
•
•
Persia
Barbarians: less organized groups
Huns: attack on Goths, who entered the Empire
Mishandling of situation led to consequences
that were detrimental
Homework Questions
1. Wickham describes the Roman state as "corrupt" and
"violent." Why does he press this point? How can he
make such a judgment and still consider the past in its
own terms?
2. What are some of the things that the Roman aristocracy
shared in common?
3. What was the status of peasants in Rome; in particular,
how did it differ between the east and the west?
4. In what ways did the patron/client system penetrate into
Roman society, according to Wickham?
5. What can we know about the barbarians who lived
beyond Rome's borders?