Roman Civilization
The Empire's Chief City
Rome was one of biggest cities in the ancient world. Many people traveled Rome from every single part of the empire. Like many other Roman cities Rome was carefully planned. The emperor lived in Rome on top of a tall hill. At the top of the hill was a Forum. The Forum was a large space that had a market place in it and a public square. In the Forum Roman people shopped for food expensive items and more, they also played games and hung out with there friends. Temples and other buildings surrounded the Forum. Wealthy Romans lived in huge houses at the top of the hills. Their walls were made of marble and their homes were built on top of courtyards called an atrium. The atrium had a garden. Wealthy Romans also lived in villas outside of cities. Romans who weren't as wealthy worked at stores or were artisans. Many poor Romans did not have job. Poor Romans lived in crowded areas. Sometimes the buildings would collapse or catch on fire. To gain support of the poor Romans the government would give them bread and circuses. On some days they would go watch gladiators. go into battle and fight each other to death or fight wild animals in a stadium called Colosseum. Most of the gladiators were enslaved, criminals in prison or very poor. But the Romans appreciated them for their courage and strength.
The Roman Family
Large family's were common in Rome. Married children frequently lived with their parents in the same house and the fathers watched closely of his wife's actions. The government set a law so that fathers can sell their children into slavery or put them to death. A couple years later the fathers lost this power and the wives gained some legal rights. Fast forward and Roman families got smaller and Romans were more likely to divorce and remarry. Education was the primary responsibility for the fathers. Wealthy children didn't go to school they had private lessons at home. When they grew older boys went to school and learned stuff like reading,arithmetic and writing. When the girls grew older they studied at home. Poorer Roman families could not be able to afford paying for school but of course some of them learned how to read and write to conduct business. At some time around the age of 15 Roman boys would celebrate being an adult he would burn his toys to show honor to his household gods. Once he was an adult he would either work at his families business,marry or join the army. Men back then would usually marry later, but woman would marry once they turned 14.
Roman Woman
Woman in Rome were not fully citizens they also didn't have as many rights as men did. When emperor Septimius left for war, empress Julia Domna had more control and made some new rules for Woman. She also administered political affairs in Rome. If Roman Woman wanted to feel free, her husband would have to be wealthy or be in a high position. By around A.D 100's rich Roman Woman had more independence for example they could sell properties, run businesses etc. This led to Woman feeling free to study art,fashion, and literature. They also were allowed to attend fights and races. Poor Woman in Rome had less freedom. They either did house work or helped their husbands with family-run shops. They could also only go outside to visit friends, leave home to shop, worship temples, and take baths. A few Roman Woman would even work independently. Some Woman would also work as hairdressers or doctors.
Rome and Slavery
Slavery was used in Rome in the early times. It grew so Roman soldiers needed more room. Which took over almost all of Rome. Almost 40% of Italy was enslaved people. Enslaved people did many different jobs like harvest crops, build roads, mined roads, and build bridges. A lot of the enslaved people were very smart. Most of them served as doctors, teachers, and artisans. But for the rest of them their life was horrible. They were forced to work long hours and the sad part is they could be sold at anytime. Also if they didn't do good work they would get punished. Until one day this guy named Spartacus (spahr-tuh-kuhs) came and tried to free the enslaved people. He did but the soldiers found them and a war happened. And Spartacus was killed in the war and 6,000 of the enslaved people were crucified or put to death.
Science and Art
Science: Rome was influenced by Greek Civilization. They copied their ways but changed it up a little. A Greek doctor gave all his ideas to the Romans. He studied all the important stuff like body structure, inner organs etc. A scientist named Ptolemy (TAH-luh-mee) studied the sky and very carefully mapped over 1,000 stars. He also studied the motion of planets and stars and created rules for them. Art:The Romans also got influenced by the Greeks and their art. But the Romans made their own styles of art. The Greeks made their statues all perfect and beautiful. On the other hand Romans made their statues with less attractive features like warts and wrinkles.
Religion and Philosophy
Romans once believed that gods protected their homes families etc. But really they protected the empire. And they were given Roman names. For example Zeus was named Jupiter, the sky god, Aphrodite was named Venus, goddess of love and beauty. Finally emperors were made gods by the Roman senate. Romans worshipped their gods and goddesses by praying and giving them food. Every single Roman had a altar for their household god. At altars, the leader of the family made offerings of incense, wine, honey, and the family dinner. Government officials made offerings and gifts for the gods and goddesses. The Romans adapted their Philosophy for example the Philosophy of Stoicism. The Greeks believed that Stoicism was about finding happiness, but the Romans believed that Stoicism was about learning how to live in a way practical. Stoic Philosophers forced people to take part in public affairs. As Romes empire grew, Romans got in contact with people who believed in other religions. Rome allowed people to practice their religions because he didn't want the people to threaten the government.
Theater and Language
Theater: The most popular pastimes in Rome was attending plays. Romans plays were based off of religious celebrations and national festivals. The actresses had to wear masks to represent the the person they were playing. For most of Romes history the men played every part in a play. For woman they were only allowed to play as mimes. Language: Latin is the language of the Romes had a bigger collision in Romes writing. Latin became Europe's language just for government trade, and also for learning until A.D. 1500. Latin is the base of a lot of recent European languages, for example, Italian,French,and Spanish. Some of the English words we use today come from Latin.
Creator: Rabax63
Copyright: Rabax63
Creator: Rabax63
Copyright: Rabax63
Creator: Konstantin Johannes Franz Cretius
Copyright: Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Credit: New York Public Library
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