To what extent did Rome and Greek civilizations differed among each other ?
Rome and Greek civilizations are very significant to our history therefore, it is important to know their differentiation among the government, military and women. Roman’s government was based on practices which differed from the Greek’s government. Roman’s began to shape their government as a direct democracy, although their population kept growing and the romans employed a republic system, whereas If the citizens did not approve of the laws, they could vote the representatives out of office in the next Roman law. Greek’s government created the first democratic government in 510 BC which gave more power to poor individuals and was a implementation in Roman’s government. This has benefited the parties in the manner of fairness and flexibility. The individuals of the Roman society were divided into 3 different classes such as Patricians, Plebeians and Slaves.
The wealthy citizens of Rome were the patricians, unlike plebeians who were not rich but still were considered citizens of the Rome. Lastly, slaves were not citizens and had no right to vote and no freedom along with no wealth. The citizens of Rome voted for two consuls and they were elected to serve for only one year.
Moreover, from the military aspect Roman’s army was extremely trained and had useful equipment. Roman’s armies moved steadily with a possibility of losing a battle but never a war. They aimed to be in power of diverse population in order to include them into Roman state. An example of Roman’s strength and opposition to what seems unfair to them would be a disagreement with Carthage. Carthage intended to conquer an enormous island of Sicily, however, Romans were against it. They feared that if Carthage would be in control of Sicily, Rome would lose its control over Italy. Therefore, the two cities have fought the three Punic Wars. The results of those Punic Wars extremely benefited Romans.
First, Romans were in charge of Sicily due to applying military techniques to war at sea, which led Rome to own territory outside Italy, however, it came along with responsibilities such as to tax, govern, and defend that territory. In the scope of three years, Rome was in control of the Mediterranean islands which helped the Republic acquire an immense empire. Then, the senate placed Macedon and Greece under a Roman governor. Lastly, Rome completely obliterated Carthage along with selling survivors into slavery and claiming Carthage’s empire. Rome’s authority of the Mediterranean caused changes in social stratification. While Romans fought with Carthage, Greeks fought with Persians. Persian kings tried to conquer Greece, although Greece was the one conquering Persia. Moreover, Hoplites were the ones who made Greeks army much more powerful; they were fighting as a team while lining up in ranks with locked shields, which was known as a ‘phalanx’.
In addition, changes in Roman society have given women a much higher status than they have had in Greece and other states at the time. For example, Greece had subjected women to a private family life, whereas in Rome, women could make an appearance in public. In Roman societies, women had a right to make decisions, although still had to be advised by their husbands. However, the husband’s advisory did not prevent women of Rome to have their own religious rituals, and festivals of which men were not a part of. On contrary, women of Greece once married were under control of their husbands and their fathers or male relatives served as guardians. Lastly, Roman women were more independent and could own property and manage businesses, whereas women of Greek civilization did not own land and they were not able to hold full citizenship rights.
In conclusion, Rome and Greece were different government, military and women’s role wise, although they still managed to create a Greeko-Roman culture. Rome’s familiarity with Greek culture was vivid and occurred by interactions with Greek colonies on the Sicily and Italian peninsula . At first Rome attempted to imitate Greek arts and letters. Then Greek philosophical schools came of as very appealing towards Romans since they were very appreciative of the Stoic ways of living whereas the harmony with natural forces was employed. Moreover, the “Augustan Age” revealed anything produced by Greeks including their poetry which Roman’s poets borrowed to create their own work but with greek styles and themes. The Romans also made permanent contributions to architecture in Greece. Rome has created humongous domed interior spaces, vaulted ceilings, and arches.