1. Roman Society

2. Roman Society? Greatly impacted by the Greeks
Greek merchants, scholars and artists spread their culture on visits to Rome
After conquering the Hellenistic kingdoms, Romans had Greek manuscripts and art sent to Rome to study
Use of educated Greek slaves popular
Rich sent sons to Athens to study
Many blamed the Greeks for Rome’s vices, like materialism

3. Roman Religion Influenced all parts of society Polytheistic
Adopted many Greek deities; “Greco-Roman” religion
Overall, tolerant of religious cults

4. Religion, cont.
Belief that humans were dependent on the gods – even the government
Ritual very important
Pontifex maximus- controlled the state religion (chief priest)
Julius Caesar united this title with the emperor

5. Religious Success
It was believed that the Romans’ success in creating an empire reflected that they had achieved the ‘peace of the gods’

6. Religious Festivals Two Types of Festivals:
1. State Sponsored- games grew out of these in honor of Jupiter. Began as chariot races, and as empire expanded, included gladiator fights in the Circus Maximus.
2. Performed by individual families

7. Circus Maximus

8. Education No public education system
Family provided training for their children in how to be a good Roman citizen
Boys: learn how to farm, be a soldier and understand the traditions of the state/politics
Girls: be good wives and mothers

9. Upper Class Education Greek studies Rhetoric Philosophy
Primary and secondary schools (grammaticus)
Grammaticus- literature, logic, arithmetic, geometry, astronomy and music

10. The Roman Family
Roman families lead by the paterfamilias, or the dominant male.
He exercised complete control
Children raised at home
Upper class children taught to read and write
Boys become men at age 16 with the changing of the toga ceremony.

11. Family Marriages arranged by paterfamilias
Girls aloud to marry at 12, but usually happened at 14
Divorce common, and easy to obtain
2nd Century women begin to receive more rights and the paterfamilias rule goes out of style.

12. Roman Women
The upper class women of Rome had more freedom than their Greek counterparts
They could leave the home without an escort
Were the center of the entertaining conducted in the home
Husbands enjoyed the company of their wives; made easier since she was educated
Still, had no political rights until…
The end of the 5th century given rights in politics

13. Slavery Romans relied on slavery.
Even small farmers usually owned slaves
Greeks were slaves and usually tutors, musicians, doctors, and artists.
Worked in shops, kept houses, waited tables, servants, and craftspeople.

14. Slavery Conditions
Poor conditions for most slaves; those that worked in private homes seen as members of the family and treated well
Some, like Cato, believed it was cheaper to work a slave to death, and then get a new one.
Punishments were harsh to prevent revolt.

15. Spartacus
Spartacus in 73 B.C. leads thousands in a revolt, and defeats several Roman armies.
He was captured and killed
All of his followers were crucified

16. Art Adored Greek Art Greeks concentrated on ideal forms
Romans added realistic features, even unpleasant features

17. Architecture Excelled in architecture
Created the dome, arch, and vault.
Built roads, bridges, and aqueducts

18. Architecture, cont.
Development of concrete, allowed building projects to become very large
Built amphitheaters, public baths, and large apartment buildings – necessary to house the ever growing population of the Roman Empire!