THE ROMANS A case study of how they have affected our lives today.

Roman History People have lived in Italy for a long time, because Italy is a fairly fertile area, but the time when Rome was powerful did not begin until after the greatest power of Egypt and Greece. On the map you have been given draw a climate graph to show what the weather may have been like. Use the data in the table.

Roman history is usually divided into three main periods: before the rise of Rome, the Roman Republic, and the Roman Empire. The Empire is usually divided up according to who was emperor. Greeks and Egyptians - main powers Roman Republic 500BC - 30BC Roman Empire 30BC – 450AD

Ancient Rome was situated on seven hills and its monumental public buildings - the Colosseum, the Forum of Trajan, and the Pantheon - made the city the "capital of the world" under the emperors. But in addition to the arenas, temples and forums, Rome also had theatres, basilicas, gymnasiums, baths, taverns, and brothels.

The rich preferred to live on the hills above the teeming crowds (Rome housed over 1 million inhabitants) and animals of central Rome. The poor lived packed into apartment houses near the centre of the city since there was no public transport.

In the beginning was the census. Every five years, each male Roman citizen had to register in Rome for the census. In this he had to declare his family, wife, children, slaves and riches. Primarily the census served to count the number of citizens and to assess the potential military strength and future tax revenue. Most important, the census transformed the city into a political and military community. The entire concept of Roman life seemed to center around the city, be this the city of Rome itself or any other town.

Most countries still have a census today, for many of the same reasons that the Romans carried them out.

The Romans Society The Roman population was divided into two groups: patricians and plebians. The patricians were the descendants of the most ancient and powerful families (nobles), they were landowners and lived in large houses. The plebians were mainly peasants who worked the patricians' land; they lived in apartments and they had no political rights. Patricians Soldier & slave Plebians

Until recently many countries still had a class system; the ruling or rich people and the working class. More recently this has been broken down and most people see themselves as being equal. The two classes were quite divided: the patricians married and did business only with the people of their class.

Things that were the same in both classes Family The family was structured in the same way in both classes. The head of the family was the oldest male. Everybody in one family lived under one roof. Women had no authority except in the home. Slaves: If they could afford it, both classes had slaves to do the work

Things that were different Social Life A wealthy plebeian family and a wealthy patrician family did not meet socially. Under the kings, it was illegal for a pleb and a patrician to marry. In 445 a new law was written that said it was no longer illegal for plebs and patricians to marry. Apartment Houses Many plebians lived in apartment houses called flats. Some of the apartments were above or behind their shops.

The Poor, Unsanitary Living Conditions In the poorer apartment houses, an entire plebeian family (grandparents, parents, children) might all be crowded into one room, without running water. They did not have toilets. They had to use public latrines (toilets).

Roman clothes Most people wore tunics as their basic attire. Over the tunic patrician women wore a stola which was a length of cloth from the ground to their neck. They may also wear a shawl in cooler weather. Patrician men wore a toga over their tunic. This was like a wide shawl and was wrapped around the shoulders and body. Men and women would wear a cloak against the really cold wet weather,

The Roman Empire

The Romans managed to conquer so many countries because they had such a good army. The Emperor used the army to protect Rome and to control the people it had conquered. Some soldiers were away from their families for long periods of time. Organisation of the Army The army was organised in a very simple way: 5000 Legionaries (Roman Citizens who were in the army) would form a Legion. The Legion would be split into centuries (80 men) controlled by a Centurion. The centuries would then be divided into smaller groups with different jobs to perform. The Roman Army

Roman soldiers had to be tough. They were expected to march up to 20 miles per day in line, wearing all their armour and carrying their food and tents. Roman soldiers were trained to fight well and to defend themselves. If the enemy shot arrows at them they would use their shields to surround their bodies and protect themselves, this was known as 'the turtle'. They fought with short swords, daggers for stabbing and a long spear for throwing. They also carried a shield for protection as well as wearing armour.

A Roman Soldier

Education Most children did not go to school. Parents had to pay for their children to go and they would only teach boys! Schools were also quite scarce, and were always built in towns.

Girls and poorer children might be taught to read and write at home but this was rare. These children would more likely have to help their parents at work from an early age.

Trade The Romans traded goods throughout their Empire. By importing goods from other countries they raised their standard of living and were able to have many luxuries. The Romans used their network of roads and also waterways to transport goods from one country to another.

The Romans traded with Britain for silver, which they used to make jewellery and coins, and wool which they used to make clothes. They imported dyes to colour their clothes from the south-eastern part of their Empire and also spices to flavour their food.

From the Far East, what is now China, they imported silk to make fine clothing. Cotton came from Egypt and exotic and wild animals for the gladiator fights came from Africa by sea.

Government of Rome From the time of Julius Caesar, 48BC, Rome and the Roman Empire was ruled by an Emperor. The Emperor was wise if he listened to the advice of the Senate but some chose to be dictators and do what they wanted rather than follow the Senate's advice.

Government of Rome Before Julius Caesar took control in 48BC, the Roman Empire was not ruled by the Emperor but by two consuls who were elected by the citizens of Rome. Rome was then known as a Republic.

Government of Rome Government in the time of the Republic People were divided into different classes. There were Patricians, Plebians and Slaves. Citizens of Rome - Patricians and Plebians met in the Assembly and voted for consuls, tribunes and magistrates. Women and slaves were not allowed in the Assembly and could not vote.

Government of Rome Consuls The citizens of Rome voted for two consuls. They were elected to serve for one year. It was the Consuls job to govern Rome. They had to both agree on all decisions. After they had served their year they were replaced. They were not allowed to be consuls again for ten years.

Government of Rome Magistrates The citizens of Rome voted for a number of magistrates. It was the magistrates job to keep law and order and also to manage Rome's financial affairs. When magistrates retired they became senators and attended the Senate.

Government of Rome Tribunes The citizens of Rome voted for tribunes. It was the tribunes job to make sure that the people were treated fairly.

Government of Rome The Senate Senators went to the Senate to discuss important government issues. Senators were retired magistrates and knew a lot about the government of Rome. It was the job of the senate to give advice to the two consuls. When Rome had an Emperor the senate still gave advice on governing Rome and the Empire.

Questions 1.What is similar to the Assembly in todays government system? 2.What role is filled in todays government that equates to the consuls of Roman times? 3.Do we have magistrates today? If so what is their job? 4.Tribunes would be what in todays government? 5.Senators would be known as what in todays government? 6.Did the Roman system of government have any impact on how we run our government today? Explain your answer.