1. The Roman Empire
Society and Culture

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14.
Roman Architecture
Google Earth