Rome: An Introduction
Rome: Timeline Overview Ancient Romans migrated to Italy c. 2000 BCE, developed Neolithic farming Rome settled c. 1000 BCE (traditional date = 753) Era of autocratic (Etruscan?) kings: traditional dates = 753 – 507 BCE Roman Republic = 507 – 31 BCE Imperial Rome = 31 BCE – 324 CE (Classic Golden Age = c. 200 BCE – 200 CE) Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire = 324 - 1453
Italy at Beginning of Roman Republic
Roman Empire at Height, 117 CE
4th C CE: Rome Fragments
Roman Beliefs & Thought Religion similar to Greek: polytheistic, “childish gods” recognized, supported by state Elites absorb Greek philosophy, but this remains important only to minority Major Golden Age “faith” = Roman prosperity, achievements Various faiths (such as Christianity in CE era) usually tolerated as long as believers didn’t openly challenge Roman gods
Diagram of Roman Social Classes
Imperial Roman lifestyle: Very Urban Computer Reconstruction of Roman Street
Elite Roman House Interior Computer Reconstruction of Roman House
Images of Roman Couples Imperial Era Funerary Busts Pre-Republican Era Etruscan Couple Wall Mural at 1st C CE Pompeii
Images of Roman Women