Chapter 9 Life in Ancient Rome

1. Chapter 9 Life in Ancient Rome

2. Main Ideas • In addition to their own developments in science and engineering, Roman artists and writers borrowed many ideas from the Greeks. • The rich and poor had very different lives in the Roman Empire, as did men and women.

3. Reading Strategy • Compare and Contrast – Use a Venn Diagram like the one below to show similarities and differences between the rich and the poor in Rome

4. Roman Culture • Romans admired and studied Greek statues, buildings, and ideas.* • The Romans differed from Greeks in one important way: the Greeks liked to talk about ideas, while Romans believed that ideas were only important if they could solve everyday problems.

5. What Was Roman Art Like? • Roman art was much more realistic than Greek statues.* • Roman architecture was also inspired by the Greeks: They used Greek-style porches and rows of columns called colonnades.* • Rows of arches were often built against one another to form a vault.**

6. Roman Art… • The Colloseum is one example of how magnificent Roman architecture was. It was completed in A.D, 80 and was a huge arena that could seat around 60,000 people.

7. What Does This Have to Do With Me? • The Astrodome in Houston is commonly referred to as the “Eighth Wonder of the World” and houses around 42,000 fans. • Although there are other, larger stadiums, this will give you an idea of how magnificent the Colosseum was, and would still be, today.

8. The Pantheon

9. Roman Literature • The Roman writer Virgil drew some of his ideas from Homer’s Odyssey and wrote the Aeneid.* • The poet Horace wrote satires, which poked fun at human weaknesses. He also composed odes, or poems that express strong emotions about life.

10. Roman Literature • One of Rome’s most famous historians was Livy. He wrote the History of Rome around 10 B.C.* • *Tacitus thought that Romans were losing the values that made them strong. He accused them of wasting time on sports and other pleasures.

11. Roman Literature • *Romans especially liked humorous plays • Two Romans who wrote comedies were Plautus and Terence. • Roman authors influenced later writers, but their language, Latin, had an even greater influence.**

12. Roman Science and engineering • A Greek doctor named Galen (GAY-luhn) brought many medical ideas to Rome. • He emphasized the importance of anatomy, the study of body structure.* • Ptolemy was another important Roman scientist who studied the sky and mapped over 1000 different stars.**

13. All Roads Lead to Rome… • Romans built a large amount of roads and bridges to connect the empire. • These were well built and some have survived until today*

14. A Day in the Life of a Roman… • *Rome was a huge city with over a millionpeople living there by the time of Augustus. • The Forum was a marketplace and public square. It was at the center of Rome with the Coloseum.**

15. Life of a Roman Cont… • Wealthy Romans lived in large, comfortable houses.*** • Inner courtyards are called atriums.

16. Poor people who lived in cities, had to live in tall wood or brick apartment buildings called insulae, without any courtyard

17. Entertainment • “Bread and circuses” were started by Roman emperors trying to keep people from rioting.* • At these events, the people would get free grain (or bread) and a show (circus).

18. GLADIATORS • Gladiator contests – gladiatorsfought animals and each other. • Most gladiators were enslaved people, criminals, or poor people. Gladiators were admired, like sports heroes today.

19. Chariot Racing • Chariot races – What could we compare this to that takes place today? • Took place in the Circus Maximus; Latin for greatest circus

20. Family life • Family was very important, and families were large • Paterfamilias – The “Father of the family” had complete control over family members. • He would punish them severely for disobedience and arrange their marriages.*

21. Family Life • Wealthy children—boys and girls—received an education through hired tutors • Some boys went to school. • Rhetoric was public speaking

22. Family life cont… • *Roman boys became a man between the ages of 14-16. They burned their toys as offerings to the household gods. • He would put on a toga and join the family business, become a soldier, or begin a career in government. • Roman women did not become adults until they were married, and they wore long flowing robes called palla.

24. Women of Rome • Not full citizens • Some became famous themselves • Livia was the wife of Augustus and had a say in Rome’s politics and was later honored as a goddess.* • Women’s freedom depended on their husband’s wealth*

25. Enslaved people • Slave labor grew as the territory grew* • They worked in homes, fields, mines, and workshops. They helped build roads, bridges, and aqueducts. • Many enslaved Greeks were well educated* • Wages bought them freedom

26. Enslaved people Cont… • Most were treated horribly and punished severely for poor work or running away • Many often rebelled • Spartacus was a gladiator who led a revolt in 73 B.C.

27. Roman Religion • Ancient Romans believed in gods and goddesses* • Greek gods were popular in Rome, but they were given Roman names. Zeus became Jupiter, the sky god, and Aphroditebecame Venus, the goddess of love and beauty.

28. Roman Religion • Romans honored them by offering food and praying.* • Government officials made offerings in the temples

29. Roman Religion Cont… • Roman priests looked for signs from the gods • They would study the inside of dead animals or watched the flight of birds, looking for meaning. • Romans began having issues with other religions as the empire grew