1. Roman Empire Conquered provinces had a Roman governor and soldiers
Locals mostly remained free; many were made Roman citizens
Built capital cities in new provinces
Did not try to force people to change their lives; let people keep beliefs and traditions

2. Roman Empire Latin was official language of empire
Pax Romana – period of peace when Roman Empire was at its height
Romans were engineers and architects (builders)
Created arch, which could support a wall over an open space
Invented concrete, mix of stone, sand, cement and water that was used in buildings

3. Roman Empire
Built great aqueducts that carried clean water long distances into cities
Colosseum – greatest of Roman buildings; held 50,000 people; site of contests and fights for sport

4. Roman Empire
Roman citizens were proud of being a citizen and had many rights
Every 5 years male citizens had to be counted by registering for the census
Women, free slaves, girls were not counted as citizens; they gained status by their relationship with a male citizen

5. Roman Empire
Wealthy Romans lived in fancy houses in city, or on land in the country called villas
Poor Romans lived in small apartments and seldom had enough to eat
Poor would riot
Rome had to provide wheat & grain for the poor so they could have bread

6. Roman Empire
Created “circuses” (arenas) where people could see free shows
Circuses were often violent
Used gladiators who fought to the death
Often fought against slaves or animals