Ancient Rome Society – Politics - Economy

Roman Society Early Roman religion was adopted from early Greek colonists. Early Roman religion was adopted from early Greek colonists. Based on Greek polytheistic religion Based on Greek polytheistic religion Very similar gods / goddesses Very similar gods / goddesses Just different names Just different names

Roman Society Greek Deity Zeus Hera Apollo Artemis Athena Aphrodite Roman Equivalent Jupiter Juno Apollo Diana Minerva Venus

Roman Society Greek Deity Poseidon Hermes Ares Hephaestus Demeter Hades Roman Equivalent Neptune Mercury Mars Vulcan Ceres Pluto

Roman Society Roman deities had human forms characteristics. Roman deities had human forms characteristics. Many modern words, symbols, and metaphors come from Roman myth. Many modern words, symbols, and metaphors come from Roman myth.

Roman Society Women – had more rights than in Greece and Asia Women – had more rights than in Greece and Asia Could own property and testify in court Could own property and testify in court Ran the household Ran the household Still could not vote though Still could not vote though

Roman Society Foreigners – could become citizens Foreigners – could become citizens Usually through military service Usually through military service Could sometimes own land / vote Could sometimes own land / vote

Roman Society Slaves – Rome used more slaves than all of Greece. Slaves – Rome used more slaves than all of Greece. Usually conquered people / prisoners of war Usually conquered people / prisoners of war Race did not matter Race did not matter Some forced to become gladiators Some forced to become gladiators

Roman Society Gladiators – professional fighters who engaged in battles to the death Gladiators – professional fighters who engaged in battles to the death Usually slaves / prisoners Usually slaves / prisoners Sometimes fought in Coliseum Sometimes fought in Coliseum

Pollice Verso ("With a Turned Thumb"), an 1872 painting by Jean-Léon Gérôme, is a well known historical painter's researched conception of a gladiatorial combat.

Roman Politics Republic – form of government in which power is in the hands of representatives elected by the people. Republic – form of government in which power is in the hands of representatives elected by the people. Roman Republic lasted over 400yrs. Roman Republic lasted over 400yrs.

SPQR - Senatus Populusque Romanus ("The Senate and People of Rome“)

Roman Politics Only citizens (free adult males) had rights and the ability to participate in politics Only citizens (free adult males) had rights and the ability to participate in politics Women, slaves, and most foreigners had no rights or political power Women, slaves, and most foreigners had no rights or political power

Roman Politics Citizens divided into two categories: Citizens divided into two categories: Patrician – aristocratic land owners who held the post political power Patrician – aristocratic land owners who held the post political power Minority of the population Minority of the population Plebeians – common farmers, merchants, and craftsmen Plebeians – common farmers, merchants, and craftsmen Majority of the population Majority of the population

Roman Politics Consuls (2) – elected officials who commanded the army and directed the government Consuls (2) – elected officials who commanded the army and directed the government Term limit – one year Term limit – one year Could not be re-elected for 10yrs Could not be re-elected for 10yrs One could veto (overrule) the other. One could veto (overrule) the other.

Roman Politics Senate (300) – legislative body of elected aristocrats Senate (300) – legislative body of elected aristocrats Patricians only Patricians only Term limit – none Term limit – none (could serve for life)

Roman Politics Assemblies – more democratic Assemblies – more democratic Plebeians Plebeians Tribal Assembly elected tribunes, made laws for common people Tribal Assembly elected tribunes, made laws for common people Centuriate Assembly made up of all citizen soldiers Centuriate Assembly made up of all citizen soldiers

Roman Politics Praetors (8) – judges who oversee the court system Praetors (8) – judges who oversee the court system Follow the Twelve Tables Follow the Twelve Tables List of rules that were the basis of Rome’s legal system List of rules that were the basis of Rome’s legal system

Roman Economy Agriculture = 90% of Rome’s economy Agriculture = 90% of Rome’s economy Crops: olives, grapes, wheat Crops: olives, grapes, wheat Made wine, olive oil, bread Made wine, olive oil, bread

Roman Economy Industries: Industries: Forestry (lumber for building) Forestry (lumber for building) Mining (especially silver) Mining (especially silver) Trade Trade

Roman Economy Romans traded goods on three continents: Romans traded goods on three continents: Europe Europe Asia Asia Africa Africa

Roman Economy Sea trade: through the Mediterranean Sea trade: through the Mediterranean Overland trade: all the way to China Overland trade: all the way to China Silk Road Silk Road