o Its literature and philosophy imitated Greek models, and Greek
tutors were highly valued.o The Roman deities were merged syncretistically with the
Greek; Zeus’s equivalent, for example, was Jupiter.o Practices of sexuality, particularly male bisexuality, were taken
over from Greece, although with different social valences.• Safe provinces, such as Asia Minor, were governed by the Senate,
while dangerous provinces, such as Palestine, were ruled by Rome
through military prefects.
o The conquest of territory and the securing of safe boundaries
(as against the Parthians) was a constant Roman concern.
o A byproduct of conquest was slavery, which grew enormously
under the Romans and led to revolts, such as that of Spartacus
that took place in 73–71 B.C.E. That revolt had a tremendous
impact on the Roman psyche because it seemed to threaten the
very structure of society. As a consequence, another byproduct
of military rule and expansion was a willingness to violently
suppress local uprisings by the populace.o Military colonies (peopled by veterans) and military
encampments helped secure internal order.o Heavy taxation of the provinces enriched the city of Rome and
helped pacify its huge population.• Roman rule did not please everyone, as witnessed by the revolts
among the Jews in 67–135 C.E., but the Romans’ efficient imperial
order had positive benefits for a new cult.
o The system of roads that were meant for military and
commercial use enabled travel and communication through
personal contact and letters.