Life in the Pax Romana and the Cultural Achievements of the Roman Empire Credit to Dr. Myracle
Vocabulary Coffering Villa Mortar Circuses Latin Paterfamilias Civil law Villa Circuses Paterfamilias Augurs Galen Ptolemy Coliseum Aqueducts Dome Concrete
The Pax Romana Lasted from 27 B.C. to 180 A.D. Stable government, strong legal system, widespread trade, and peace.
The Pax Romana Empire divided into provinces, ruled by governors Rome and Alexandria (Egypt) became trade centers Construction of Roman Roads Over 50,000 miles of roads
Roman Roads and Transportation
Roman CUlture Wealthy Romans often owned a villa (country home)
Roman Culture and religion Poorer citizens lived in crowded apartment-type buildings Often given free bread and entertainment to keep them from rebelling Borrowed Greek and Egyptian gods and stories Local gods – penates Augur – priests who read mystical signs and future Emperor as a god
Entertainment (keep the poor happy!) Circus Maximus (circuses – chariot races) A racetrack in Rome that held over 250,000
Circus Maximus
The Colosseum Criminals fought animals (bears, tigers, hippos, elephants, lions, alligators, panthers, leopardsetc.); held up to 50,000 people Gladiator fights (usually slaves)
Inside The Colosseum
Model of COlosseum
Family LIfe Roman families were patriarchal (centered on eldest male… “paterfamilias”) Virtues: simplicity, religious devotion, obedience Adoption was common to carry on family name Education by tutors for rich Education by parents for poor Boys (some girls) learned Latin, Greek, law, math, and public speaking
Science and Engineering Galen (100s CE) summarized all medical knowledge of the time in several books Ptolemy…theorized that the earth was the center of the universe (Geocentric). Aqueducts…channels that brought water into the cities. Allowed the city to grow by way of sewage Used in baths, spas, homes. Concrete, better roads, bridges, amphitheaters, the arch, and crane allowed for expansion and luxury in Rome
Roman Aqueducts Better concrete allowed for stronger structures Arches created strong support Romans were so precise that mortar was not needed to lay bricks
Roman Baths/SPas
Roman Architecture Pantheon (for all gods) in Rome Oculus in top of dome Roman Architecture Pantheon (for all gods) in Rome Columns from Ancient Greece Dome allows for stronger, larger buildings Arch allows for strong support Coffering allows for large structures with less concrete
Language and law Latin is the root of French/Italian/Spanish/ Romanian/Portuguese Called “Romance languages” Latin terms/abbreviations: Et cetera (etc.)….. “and the rest” Exempli gratia (e.g.)…. “for example” Id est (i.e.)…. “that is” Vero, curriculum etc. Used civil law (written code of laws) The basis for most modern countries (transparency)