Genius of the Roman Empire

I. Imperial Regime
    A. Augustan Reforms
        1. Military
        2. Administrative
        3. moral
            a. restore pietas, gravitas, severitas
            b. the morals of Virgil's Aeneid

    B. New Augustan virtues on display

         1. Statue of Augustus compared with earlier art

    C. Durability of the Imperial System
         1. Economic and military stability
                 a. Peace dividend
                 b. Image of prosperity: Flavian Ladies
          2. A focus on the good life

II. Secret of the Good Life: mastery of the material world

     A. Four elements

            1. self-mastery--Roman virtues

2. mastery of force (life and death)

            3. mastery of government (republic of law)

a. advances in law

            4. mastery of nature and space

    B. The Colosseum exemplary of all four elements
            1. gladiators represent Roman virtues
            2. power of life and death (gladiators and spectators)           

3. shows are entertainment and good government (example of Caesar)
            4. Colosseum itself is a triumph of engineering

III. Achievements of the Empire in Engineering. Architecture and Law
    A. Engineering
            1. roads, aqueducts, plumbing, concrete, etc.

B. Architecture

1. incorporation and perpetuation of Greek art
2. creation of interior space
--Pantheon
--Baths of Diocletian

C. Law

1. natural and universal law

2. universal citizenship (212)

3. legal profession