ANCIENT ROME

Periods of Roman History

Dates to Remember 753 BC 753-509 BC 509 – 27 BC 27 BC – 476 AD 476 AD Traditional date of founding of Rome 753-509 BC Period of Monarchy (Kings rule) 509 – 27 BC Period of Republic (Senate rules) 27 BC – 476 AD Period of Empire (Emperors rule) 476 AD Traditional date of fall of the Roman Empire

Monarchy Romulus was the first king who built the first Roman settlement around the Palatine hill. There were 7 kings. Romans remembered this period of their history negatively. Rome grew from a small group of huts to encompass 7 hills.

REPUBLIC A constitutional government Governed by the Senate Elections were held yearly to choose government officials 2 consuls were the top officials

Empire The Republic was in crisis for many years: Iulius Caesar was made Dictator for life after years of civil war. His assassination on March 15th, 44 BC resulted in 17 years of political upheaval and civil war 27 AD – Octavian, Julius Caesar’s adopted son and great-grand nephew, became “Princeps”, Emperor, and became known as Augustus.

Augustus Caesar Emperor from 27 BC to his death in 14 AD Restored peace and order to Rome The long period (100 to 200 years, depending on the sources) of relative peace and minimal expansion of the Roman empire began during the rule of Augustus and was called “Pax Romana,” the Roman peace.

Roman Architecture

Model of Rome

Temple of “Fortuna Virilis”

Characteristics CONCRETE: created a revolution in architectural design. create larger, heavier buildings. * example: - The Sanctuary of Fortuna Palestrina.

Sanctuary of Fortuna Palestrina

Model of Roman Forum

Forum Romanum Located between the Palatine and Capitoline hills in Rome Important buildings include: Temple of Vesta, where Vestal Virgins kept the sacred fire burning Multiple other temples Basilica Iulia & Basilica Aemelia: public buildings used for meetings Rostra, from where politicians made their speeches Curia, the Senate house Many more public buildings and shops

Temple of Vesta: where the Vestal Virgins kept the sacred fire burning.

Rostra: where speakers addressed the crowd.

Curia – Senate House

Model of Trajan’s Forum Spaces for offices and shops.

Characteristics ARCH & VAULT: Colosseum (Amphitheaters) Race Track – Circus Maximus Public Baths

Triumphal Arch of Titus

Arch of Constantine

Early Roman Amphitheater Seats about 20,000

Roman Theater

Theater of Marcellus

Roman Colosseum

Roman Colosseum In this large amphitheatre, GLADIATORS would fight each other or wild animals such as lions or bears. When a gladiator lost a fight the audience would decide whether he should die or live. The audience would put their thumbs out if they wanted them to die. If they wanted them to live they kept their thumbs in their hands so they couldn't be seen.

Interior of the Colosseum Arena is Latin for the sand, coating the floor that soaks up the blood of the combatants.

Circus Maximus 300,000 seat capacity!

Roman Bath in England Going to the baths, “thermae,” was a daily activity for most Romans. Somewhat like a spa or a gym, people would go to the baths to relax, get a massage, exercise, socialize, as well as cleanse themselves.

The DOME DOME: Basilicas - Large and relatively open space. - examples: ► Pantheon ► early Christian churches

Cylindrical Dome With the dome, the Romans could surpass earlier cultures by their ability to span space. Light enters through the oculus on top.

The Pantheon Plans

The Pantheon

Pantheon’s Dome

The Pantheon Interior

Painting by Giovanni Paolo Pannini (18c) The Pantheon Interior Painting by Giovanni Paolo Pannini (18c)

The Eruption of Mt Vesuvius

Pompeii and Herculaneum Destroyed and hidden in 79 AD by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, Pompeii and Herculaneum were also preserved for modern people by this tragedy. Pompeii Video