Rome: Power and Glory ( The Cult of Order) October 9, 2012KEY WORDSMarcus Aurelius- Emperor when first signs of decline showed, became emperor in 161 adRoman Order- Marcus Aurelius hoped to renew, conformity, methodical everythingGrim situation facing Aurelius- war broke out in East in 161 ad, plague broke out, invaders attacked North, fought for 8 years, feared beginning of endAurelius’s sickness and death- had cancer, died in 180 adEmporer Commodus- encouraged decay, son of MA, shunned public appearances, abused kids, corruption and extortion upset the empire, demanded to be known as a God, proposed all city be destroyed in 191 ad after the fire, a92 ad commudus was a gladiatorRevolt of the poor, 190 ce-Commodus appears as a gladiator- assassinated Pompeii- August 24, 179 ad, was burned when Mount Vesucious erupted, rich were really rich, spacious houses, lavious gardensPaintings of Roman orgies- made to show was Rome disprovedLives of the poor- 90 percent of the population had entire families in one room, fifty percent child mortality ratePlace of women- biologically and morally inferior, fathers and husbands had legal and financial controlSaturnalia- winter solstice, one week masters freed slaves, rich and poor ate togetherCult of Dionysus- Greek origins, second century BC entered Italy, communal extasy, men and women, rich and poor met at nightRome’s tragic flaw- social order=many poorCommitment to cultural diversity- Roman ideal, open to everyone, open door policy means people fromall over the world, religion toleranceSeptimius Severus- Emperor 193 ad, African, adorned his town with lavish buildings and brought it back to rome, superstitious, cult of rome requires all religions to respect sacrifices to EmperorCaracalla- 211 ad took emperor after father, citizenship to every free man, 215 ad reached EgyptRise of Christianity- third century AD, Romans were looking for securityEmperor Nero, 64 ce- 100 Christians massacured for fire, but it was not started by themRadical teachings of Christianity- spiritual equality opposed rome’s social hierarchy. Vestal virgins, if chastitiy broken were buried to deathPersecution of Chrisitians- nasty rumors about orgies and sacrificing children. Were persecuted because did not accept other gods of other religionsMartyrs (ie. Blandina)- young slave girl, tortured but still kept faith to Christ. Tortured for faithCivil war, the Barbarians, and rising inflation- mass chaos, promise of salvation in next life became appealing. The church was strong. 5,000,000 ChristiansDiocletian- 284 ad, split rome in two and shared power with three generals. Brought peace for a while. Largest Christian persecution under his ordersIrony of Rome’s roads- did tome in because through these roads came cults and ideas that undid