The Roman Empire Society and Culture

With the rise of Augustus and his increasing power, the republic no longer exists, and the Roman Empire has begun.

Building a STRONG EMPIRE Government and Law - Emperor ran the government = made all policy decisions, appointed officials to control the provinces, appointed provincial governors (ran government in the provinces). - Law helped to unify the empire - “Updated” the Twelve Tables = 1. Passed new laws as needed 2. Changed old laws to apply to new circumstances - Basic legal principles applied to all humans

Building a STRONG EMPIRE Trade and Transportation - created strong economy - Trade help to unify empire - Agriculture was the most important occupation during the time of the Pax Romana - Trade centered around grain, wine, oil, cloth, pottery, glass - Foreign trade included = African ivory, Chinese silk, Indian pepper (SILK ROAD…no linen). - Trading goods ended up in Rome, from there spread along trade routes to wealthy customers (see map pg. 163) - Roman army built roads and bridges throughout the empire – beneficial for army, but also trade, travel, and communication

Building a STRONG EMPIRE Roman Army - defend boundaries and control provinces - Citizen soldiers served 16 – 20 years - Stationed in camps along the borders – stations eventually became cities as people settled around the camps. - Promised Roman citizenship at the end of their service – men from the provinces joined

Science and the Arts Science, Engineering, and Architecture - Galen = physician who wrote medical volumes - Ptolemy = scientist from Alexandria, astronomy = Ptolemaic System = sun, planets revolve around the earth - Engineering = roads, bridges, arenas, public buildings, aqueducts = bridge like structures that carried water from the mts. (pg. 166) - Architecture = importance of cement – Pantheon, Coliseum, the Roman Forum

Science and the Arts Language - Learned alphabet from the Estruscans - We use the Roman/Latin alphabet (+ j,y,w) - Latin language used after the Roman Empire ended - Latin is the basis of the modern Romance languages – Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Romanian - Many English words today have Latin origins

Life in the Empire Daily Life - Majority of Romans were poor. -Many were laborers or farmers - Rich citizens had a city home and a country home = running water -Time for banquets, recreation, leisure. - Held dinner parties to impress one another - Majority of Romans lived in crowded multistory apt houses - Most could not afford food = would eat bread, cheese, and fruit - Public baths – served as a social gathering

Science and the Arts Literature - Virgil = Roman poet, lived during the time of Augustus. Aeneid – story about a prince from Troy - Horace = Roman poet, wrote odes, satires, letters -Ovid = Roman poet, wrote love lyrics – Metamorphoses – collection of myths - Tacitus = Roman historian, wrote Annals – history of Rome under the Julio-Claudian emperors. - Plutarch = Greek, wrote about R & G’s BIO’s

Life in the Empire Slaves and Slavery - During Augustus’ reign, there were several million slaves - Made up large fraction of population - Most common in the eastern part of the empire - No laws in relation to how slaves could be treated - Skilled, trusted slaves could assist doctors, or be teachers or secretaries - Roman slaves could buy their freedom or be freed by their masters - Few legal rights - Historians do not believe slavery was essential to the Roman economy…so many poor Romans would work for cheap wages - Person gained status by owning slaves

Life in the Empire Men, Women, and Children - Importance of family - Father held most power, made decisions, controlled property, conducted religious ceremonies - Mother = manage household, bought food, entertain guests - By end of the Republic, women had political influence (patrician class) - Women could own property and accept inheritances - Education = began at home – sons = citizenship, daughters = manage household - Rich children education at home, others attend schools throughout the empire - Elementary school = reading, writing, arithmetic, music. Secondary – wealthy boys

Life in the Empire Religion - Lares – ancestoral spirits - Family worship focused on the “Vesta” – spirit who guarded fire and hearth - Influenced by Greeks - State religion developed at the time of the empire = purpose was to promote patriotism, loyalty to the state. 12 B.C. Augustus became the chief priest - Religious rituals to please the gods and spirits

Life in the Empire Entertainment - Theater, mimes, jugglers, dancers, acrobats, clowns (jesters) - Chariot racing - Gladiators = trained slaves, battle until death. Person VS Person, Animal VS Animal, Person VS Animal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgARus5JFQY&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH7fJ4awyXc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g012Qzg36rY&feature=related Roman Architecture Google Earth http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/series/when-rome-ruled/4722/Overview/779#tab-Videos/09047_00