1. Rome: An Empire of Cities

2. Empire of Municipal Territories Empire resembled a quilt of municipal territories, each with… o An urban centre o An agricultural territory o Estates and villages Similar to the Greek polis

4. Largest Population Centres Rome Carthage Antioch – capital of Syrian empire in the east Alexandria Each numbered between 200,000 – 300,000 Majority of Roman cites = 10,000

5. Public Buildings Erecting and maintaining public buildings was responsibility of local authorities and rich private citizens Euergetism = benefaction, doing good o Social contract Upper classes provide public amenities and entertainment in return for prestige and status

7. The Form = the heart of a Roman city All roads lead to the forum of each city o At the centre of a grid pattern

8. Importance of the Forum Religious Centre o Temple of Jupiter = symbol of loyalty to the state o Buildings dedicated to the “Capitaline Triad” (Jupiter, Juno, Minverva / Zeus, Hera, Athena) Economic Centre Political (curia) Centre Judicial (basilica) Centre

10. The Forum Large open piazza hosted a 9-day market Two-story portico around sides Gladiatorial spectacles held there

11. City Attractions Amenities not available in the countryside o Taverns o Snack shops o Public toilets o Places of entertainment and relaxation

12. Housing and Zoning People lived in apartments or townhouses, depending on wealth Modern zoning not practiced o Apartments (up to 5 stories), houses, shops, bars, public facilities evenly distributed throughout towns

13. Sample Plan of a Roman House Aatriumformal entrance hall Alala"wings" opening from atrium Ccubiculumsmall room; bedroom Cuculinakitchen Eexedragarden room Pperistyliumcolonnaded garden Ttabernashop Tatablinumoffice; study Tritricliniumdining room Vvestibulumentrance hall

15. Aqueducts Importance of cities demonstrated by aqueducts running through countryside o Took water from local springs (miles from town) into urban centre using gravity Rome: 11 aqueducts that ran for 300 miles total bringing 180 gallons of water per head per day!

16. Roman Architecture Reveals much about a society’s physical infrastructure Built the best roads, bridges, arches/domes, water systems, bath houses, sewer systems, stadia, temples, ornaments (statues to celebrate Roman heroes) Only problem: lead water pipes o Eventually remedied Concrete = material of choice o Invented by Romans in 2 nd century BCE

18. Roman Legacy Rome is known for its architectural wonders o Circus Maximus o Roman Colosseum o Roman Pantheon But also known for practical infrastructure o Reliable source of clean water o Good roads