1. Civilization During the Empire
CHW 3M

2. Roots of European Civilization
As the Roman Empire spread, it assimilated and spread all cultures
Took the best of each
Especially Greek!
Philosophy: Epicureanism and Stoicism both big, but by 100AD, Stoicism is the “religion” of the educated
Seneca the Younger
Condemned immoral upper class (hated luxuries and Roman games)
We are giving into the worst part of ourselves!
Marcus Aurelius
Stoicism reminded him of his duties as Emperor – must live for others

3. Religion
Religions were an important part of Roman culture – kept local peoples happy!
Huge Greek influence
Gods given Roman names (Zeus = Jupiter, Aphrodite = Venus, Poseidon = Neptune, etc)
Ancestor worship becomes big
Families offer regular sacrifices to honour/appease ancestors
Religious holidays – big deal!
132 days each year were holidays
Meant lots of downtime – especially since Romans only worked 6 hours each day!
Religious tolerance was big – unless they were subversive
Monotheistic religions – especially Judaism and Christianity – regarded as dangerous

4. Art
While Greek art had emphasized harmony, balance and idealism, Roman art featured strength and greatness
Architecture
Etruscan arches = huge buildings
Baths – enormous social structures
Aquaducts – could supply 455L per person per day
Sculpture
Less idealized than Greeks
But BIGGER
(Constantine’s head = 2.5 meters tall)
Idea of GREATNESS

6. Science Brilliant Engineers Excellent surveying led to excellent roads
Like modern highways – raised, with ramps leading on and off
Constructed 85,000 km of road – connected everything!
Notable Scientists
Ptolemy of Alexandria:
Concluded that Earth was centre of universe (idea becomes dominant)
Galen of Pergamum:
Dissected apes to figure out human anatomy and diseases

7. Literature
To the Romans, the most important element of education was rhetoric – speaking and writing persuasively.
The masters:
Cicero
Virgil
Horace
Ovid
These men not only produced important literature, they actually developed the Latin language (like Shakespeare and English)
“Even if you have nothing to write, write and say so.”
-Cicero

8. Women In Rome, women were very much respected and had much freedom
Shocked the Greeks – (rampant immorality??)
Women still had guardians, but light-hearted (much independence)
Women shared all aspects of life with men
Shopped, worshipped, attended baths, had social visits, watched gladiators, were gladiators!
Both boys and girls were educated – some became successful philosophers, businesspeople, professionals
Could not vote, but were unofficially powerful (protests, “behind every good man...”)
In Roman society, the idea of “family” took on new value
Men looked out for family
Wives were respected and loved
Children were taught to be obedient and respectful

9. Laws Under the Empire, the legal system emphasized:
Equality – All citizens (Patricians or Plebs) given equal justice
Tended to protect the weak and poor – lawyers provided for those who could not pay
Everyone guaranteed a fair trial
(Paul “appealed to Caesar”: “It is not the custom of the Romans to hand over any man before the accused prisoner has met his accusers face to face, and has the opportunity of defending himself upon the charge laid against him.”)
Led directly to modern legal systems
Rome’s most enduring achievement????
Laws