1. Rome and the Roots of Western Civilization

2. Greco-Roman Culture
Romans adopt aspects of Greek and Hellenistic culture
Results in Greco-Roman culture, or classical civilization
Horace (Roman poet)- “Greece has conquered her rude conqueror.”

3. Roman Fine Arts
Romans develop bas-relief (low-relief, images projected from a flat background)
Sculptures tell stories
Represent crowds of people, soldiers in battle, landscapes

4. Trajan’s Column 128 feet high built around 105 AD Made with bas-relief
Decorating the column is a 650 foot band that winds up to the top of the structure, like a barber’s pole
Shows battles and everyday life

5. Mosaics
Pictures or designs made by setting small pieces of stone, glass, or tile on surface
Most Roman villas had at least one colored mosaic

6. Frescoes Bright large murals painted directly on wet plaster
Best examples are found in Pompeii

7. Pompeii In shadow of Mt. Vesuvius
Erupted in 79 AD and covered the area with ash which hardened (8-10 feet of ash and debris)
“Lost” for 1600 years
¾ of the city has been excavated
Gives us a glimpse of life during the Roman times

8. Mount Vesuvius Today

9. 2,000 people died and are covered in ash

10. Pompeii

11. Frescoes in Pompeii Villa

12. Images from the city of Pompeii

13. Pompeii

15. Literature Inspired by the Greeks
Writers used Roman themes and ideas, but Greek forms and models

16. Virgil Poet from “Age of Augustus”
Son of small landowner in northern Italy
Wrote the Aeneid
Aeneas is portrayed as the ideal Roman
His virtues are duty, piety, and faithfulness
Modeled after Homer
Written in praise of Rome and Roman virtues
“…Romans, never forget the government is your medium! Be this your art:-to practice men in habit of peace, Generosity to the conquered, and firmness against aggressors.” VIRGIL, Aeneid

17. Ovid Wrote light, witty poetry for enjoyment Wrote Amores
“When I was from Cupid’s passion free, my Muse was mute and wrote no elegy.”
He can only compose when he is in love

18. Livy, (History in terms of moral lessons)
Historian from the golden age
His masterpiece is The Early History of Rome
142 books that trace the history of Rome until 9 B.C.
Used legends that created more of a national myth than a true history
“The study of history is the best medicine for a sick mind; for in history you have a record of the infinite variety of human experience plainly set out for all to see; and in that record you can find for yourself and your country both examples and warnings; fine things to take as models, base things, rotten through and through, to avoid.”
Livy, (History in terms of moral lessons)

19. Tacitus Historian who was notable b/c he presented facts accurately
Concerned about the Roman’s lack of morality
Wrote Annals and Histories
About the good and bad of imperial Rome

20. Latin Language of learning in West after fall of Rome
Official language of Roman Catholic Church into 20th c.
Developed into the Romance Languages
French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Romanian

21. Roman Law A person is innocent until proven guilty
Actions are punishable, thoughts are not
All citizens have the right to equal treatment under the law
The burden of proof rests with the accuser rather than the accused
Any law that seems unreasonable or grossly unfair can be set aside
These principles of Roman law influenced many European countries and the United States

22. Roman Colosseum Could seat about 50,000 people Built east of the Forum
Constructed started between 70 and 72 AD under Vespasian and completed in 80 AD under Titus
Opening games held for 100 days and hundreds and animals and 2000 gladiators were killed.

23. Colosseum
Spectators were given tickets in the form of numbered pottery shards, which directed them to the appropriate section and row.
Retractable awning kept the sun and rain off spectators. Women and poor sat in top rows.
Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian columns used

24. Colosseum Used for about 500 years
Gladiatorial games, mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, reenactments of famous battles
Wooden floors covered the chambers where the gladiators and animals were kept

25. Colosseum
Severely ruined due to damage caused by earthquakes and stone-robbers
One of the finest surviving examples of Roman architecture

26. More Architecture
Used arches in the Aqueducts and in the Colosseum

27. Aqueducts Supplied water for drinking and bathing Powered by gravity
Stone covered with concrete

28. Architecture Used domes Pantheon in Rome Temple to the gods
Built between BC

29. Roman Roads
53,000 miles

30. Roman Baths Wealthy Romans had baths at home
Many thousands made the public bath a part of their daily routine
Staffed by slaves
Some could accommodate several thousand bathers at once
There were two 6 hour shifts for women and the same for men
There were adjoining exercise areas and massage areas
Typically patrons paid a small entry fee and entered the exercise yard to work up a sweat before heading for the pools

31. Roman Baths

32. Legacy of Rome Legal system Civil Service Epic Poetry Arch and Dome
Mosaics and Frescoes
Sculpture and Bas-reliefs
Use of concrete in engineering
Roads
Aqueducts
Latin and Romance languages
Spread of Christianity