Culture and Society in Rome Global Studies I

Roman Art and Architecture Romans adopted many features of Greek art and architecture Greek Statues Ideal beauty and appearance Greek Architecture Colonnades, rectangular buildings

Roman Art and Architecture Roman Statues Romans produced realistic statues Roman Architecture Colonnades, rectangular buildings Curved lines: arch, vault, dome Concrete roads, bridges, aqueducts

Roman Literature Augustan Age was the “golden age” of Latin literature Virgil Poet, wrote the Aeneid in honor of Rome Hero: Aeneas is the ideal Roman Virtues: duty, piety, and faithfulness

Roman Literature Horace poet enjoyed pointing out “the follies and vices of his age.” laughs at the weaknesses of humans Satires attacks job dissatisfaction and greed

Roman Literature Livy historian History of Rome saw history in terms of moral lessons celebrated Rome’s greatness weakness: Not always concerned about getting the whole truth

The Roman Family Headed by the paterfamilias – dominant male Included wife, sons with their wives and children, unmarried daughters, and slaves Roman children were raised in the home Upper-class children (boys and girls) were expected to be educated

The Roman Family Attitudes toward women Had a male guardian (until late 2nd century) Arranged marriages (usually around age 14) Divorce was acceptable and could be obtained for any reason Upper-class women had considerable freedom and independence

Slavery Common throughout the ancient world POWs brought back to Italy as slaves Greek slaves served as tutors, musicians, doctors, and artists, shop assistants and craftspeople Others worked in Roman households, built roads and public buildings living conditions were pitiful

Slavery Slave revolts 73 BC, most famous Led by gladiator, Spartacus Involved 70,000 slaves Defeated several Roman armies before being trapped and killed in 71BC 6000 followers were crucified (put to death by hanging on a cross)

Daily Life in the City of Rome Living Conditions Overcrowded and noisy Dangerous Rich lived in villas, poor lived in weakly constructed apartment blocks called insulae Constant threat of fire Entire families lived in one room due to ridiculously high rents

Daily Life in the City of Rome Public Programs Serious problems Emperors provided free grain for poor Entertainment was provided to distract Romans from worries of the day Circus Maximus Dramatic performances Gladiatorial shows

“Bread and Circuses” What is meant by the following quote by the Roman poet Juvenal? “Nowadays, with no vote…their motto is ‘Couldn’t care less.’ Time was when their vote elected generals, heads of state, commanders of legions: but now…there’s only two things that concern them: Bread and Circuses.”