ROMAN LAW 27 BCE – 180 CE “PAX ROMANA”

PAX ROMAN ROMAN PEACE The Pax Romana will last for approximately 200 years. This is the period of the reign of Augustus to the death of Marcus Aurelius. The empire is held together by factors such as: – Law, military organization, and widespread trade and transportation* *nearly 180,000 miles of paved highways joined military outposts with cities in the interior, and highways linked all provincial cities to Rome….”All roads lead to Rome” ● It still took a Roman messenger at least 10 weeks to cross the empire!!

GOVERNMENT The Roman government ruled nearly 100 million people The government maintained: – Order – Enforced laws – Defended the frontiers – Provided relief when fires or earthquakes damaged areas

Emperor Made all policy decisions Appointed officials who controlled the provinces Ran the entire government NOTE: EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT DEPENDED ON THE STRENGTH OF THE OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

AQUEDUCT

AQUEDUCTS bridge like structures that carried water from the mountains Romans constructed many new cities in the western provinces A senate building, theaters, and public baths were built in the provinces. Most cities had paved streets and sewer systems Wealthy citizens donated large sums of money for public buildings, streets, schools, and entertainment

Roman Senate

ROMAN LAW Twelve Tables – a code of laws The government passed new laws as they were needed. Judges interpreted the old laws to fit new circumstances The idea was that Roman law could adapt to fit the customs of all peoples throughout the provinces Roman judges helped develop the belief that: Certain basic legal principles apply to all humans.

For example, the idea that we believe in today: That an accused person is considered innocent unless proven guilty. IN LATER YEARS THE ROMAN SYSTEM OF LAW BECAME THE FOUNDATION FOR THE LAWS OF ALL THE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES THAT HAD BEEN PART OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. ROMAN LAW ALSO HAD A STRONG INFLUENCE ON THE LAWS OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

TRADE THROUGHOUT THE EMPIRE People throughout the empire used Roman currency From the provinces Italy imported grain and raw materials such as meat, wool, and hides. From Asia – silks, linens, glassware, jewelry, and furniture From India – spices, cotton Italy, Gaul, and Hispania – pottery and textiles

Roman Market

ROMAN LIFE Wealthy citizens generally had a home in the city and a home in the country or beach. Running water and baths were enjoyed by most citizens. The wealthy enjoyed luxuries such as rest, exercise, public baths, and banquets. Romans ate and drank enormous quantities at banquets.

Roman banquet

The average Roman Most Romans ate three simple meals each day. Bread, cheese, and fruit. Had simple furnishes In Rome, most of the 1 million residents lived in crowded three or four story concrete apartment houses. Fire posed a constant threat because of the candles and torches used for light. The massive wood beams used in construction made the fires more intense.

Most Romans were poor and hardworking. Some were artisans and farmers. Very little job security. Landlords in Rome charged high rents. The government provided free grain to the residents of the capital. During the Pax Romana the number of slaves declined greatly. So, the price of slaves rose dramatically. Most people could not afford to feed, clothe, and care for a slave.

Amusements Romans enjoyed the theater. Mimes, jugglers, dancers, clowns, acrobats were very popular forms of entertainment. Circus Maximus – 250,000 spectators watched chariot racing. “Fan clubs” for the popular chariot racers were formed. Gladiators – trained fighters who were usually slaves

SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, AND ARCHITECTURE Romans were not so much interested in science to increase knowledge.. RATHER, Romans collected and gathered information. The practical Romans applied the scientific knowledge they gained from the Greeks in planning cities, building water and sewage systems, and improving farming and livestock breeding. Roman engineers surpassed all other ancient people in their ability to construct roads, bridges, aqueducts, amphitheaters, and public buildings.

EDUCATION Romans trained their children to be loyal citizens and to be obedient to their elders and superiors. Mom “home schooled” the 3r’s. Children had to memorize the Twelve Tables. Most Roman women did not receive formal educations. BUT, many upper class Roman women were well educated. Language: Latin. Long after the end of the Roman Empire, the Latin language continued to be used.

Roman School

Mother and daughter

Elementary, secondary, and higher level of schools. A boy or girl of the free classes entered elementary at the age of 7. They studied, reading, writing, arithmetic, and music. At 13 years of age, boys entered a secondary school, where they studied grammar, Greek literature, composition, and expressive speech. (Former Greek slaves often taught these courses.) At 16, students entered a school of rhetoric. Wealthy students often continued their education in specialized schools.

Literature Cicero – important writer who is known for his political works. Virgil – Roman poet. He wrote Aeneid, a tells the story of Aeneas, a prince of Troy and a supposed ancestor of the Latins. His descendants Romulus and Remus founded Rome. Horace – a poet wrote of human emotions in odes, satires, and letters. Ovid – wrote love lyrics and the Metamorphoses

Cicero

Tacitus

Tacitus – Roman historian wrote Annals, a history of Rome under the Julian Emperors. He also wrote, Germania, which provides the best account of the Germanic tribes along the borders. Plutarch, a Greek, wrote Parallel Lives. This work includes a series of biographical sketches, one of a famous Greek followed by one of a Roman whose life in some way resembled the Greek’s life.