6.3 Roman Society and Culture

1. 6.3 Roman Society and Culture • What was life really like in the Roman Empire?

2. Roman society and culture • The Romans developed a complex and advanced society and culture that continues to effect the world today • Essential Question: What social and cultural factors influenced life in Rome, and what was the cultural legacy of ancient Rome?

3. Roman Society and Culture • Though life was good under the Pax Romana, their was not an equal distribution of wealth • Life For The Rich • Life for rich Romans typically meant the family had a city and a villa - country house, with running water and baths. Wealthy Roman men were often involved with politics. • Public office was not a paid job so only the wealthy held thme • Who you knew, family, friendship and marriage ties were just as important as class interests.

4. Roman Society and Culture • Life For the Poor • Life for poor Romans typically meant the family lived in crowded 3-4 story apartments where fire was a constant threat. • To keep the poor from rebelling against such awful conditions they were given free food and entertainment

5. Roman society and culture • Public Entertainment • All social classes enjoyed entertainment • Circuses provided a place to watch chariot races. Rome had the Circus Maximusthat could hold 250,000 people and the Colosseum, an amphitheatre where people could watch theatre shows and gladiator fights • Enjoyed blood in the Colosseum • Fights between wild animals and professional fighters • Condemned criminals and slaves would fight one another • Gladiator v. Gladiator • They enjoyed the theatre, particularly comedies and satires • Public baths served two functions for hygiene and entertainment

6. Roman society and culture • Family • Families were patriarchal – headed by males, often the oldest living male. Women had little power, but this did hold true for lower class women, who worked outside the home • Women could own and inherit land, but could do little else without a male guardian • Adoption was very important in their society

7. Roman Society and Culture • Education • The Romans placed great value on education, especially in the upper class. Children were typically home-schooled, though the wealthy may hire private tutors or send their children to private schools

8. Roman Society and Culture • Religion • Romans placed a great deal of importance on religion, which was heavily influenced by the Greeks. The Romans also borrowed gods and goddesses from Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Asia. The Romans believed the Gods were responsible for their greatness and would send them signs that were interpreted by priests known as augurs • They worshipped household gods • Many thought of the emporper as god

9. Roman society and culture • Rome’s cultural legacy • Science and Engineering • After Rome’s fall in 476 CE their culture still influenced people across the world • Roman advances in science and engineering can be seen in their architecture. The goal of Roman scientists was to extend scientific knowledge and apply it to better everyday life • The development of concrete and aqueducts are two legacies important for western civilization, and construction of large buildings and large sustainable cities • Other noteable legacies • Galen- wrote volumes of medical knowledge • Ptolemy- astronomy, sad the earth was the center of the universe

10. Roman Society and Culture • Architecture • Round arch • Vault- allowed them to build big structures

11. Roman Society and Culture Language and Literature • Roman language, Latin, is the root language for the branch of Romance languages that include French, Spanish, and Italian. Roman language has also influenced English with words such as veto and curriculum and many words in medicine • The technique of satire was derived from Roman authors • Law • Roman law has influenced many countries civil laws – written code of laws • Roman influence can be seen in the legal system og most of the world

12. Assignment • You are teenagers living in ancient Rome. Create a booklet that compares ancient Roman life to modern times • You will have 2 pages for each section. One page of the Roman teenage life and one page for modern teenage life • Religion • Education • Entertainment • Health • Write realistic details about each topic as a Roman teen on the left and you actual life on the right • You can Romanize your name