Ancient Rome

ANCIENT ROMERise, Republic, and Culture

Geography

People of Italy Indo-European Etruscans

From Etruria (northern Italy) Founded Rome and turned it from village

into city Dressed in Togas and short cloak

Roman Republic

Roman Hierarchy Rome’s ruling class

Patricians: wealthy land owners Lower classes

Plebeians: less wealthy landowners, craftspeople, merchants, and small farmers

Both classes could vote Only patricians elected to government

Chief Officers of Republic Consuls

Led Roman army into battle Praetors

In charge of civil law Senate

Select group of 300 patricians Advised government officials

Discussion How does this form of

government compare to ours?

Life in Ancient Rome Roman family

Paterfamilias-male is dominant figure Household-husband, wives, children,

unmarried daughters, and slaves

Education Upper class children expected to learn to

read Father made education decisions Teachers often Greek slaves Boys

Learned reading & writing, moral principles and family values, law, and physical training

At 16, special ceremony held to declare “adults”

Women Entering marriage as males entered

secondary schools Weakness made male guardians

necessary Father arranged marriages

Slavery Poor would have a couple slaves Rich would have many slaves Regarded as part of the household Built roads, public buildings and farmed

large estates Lived in pitiful conditions Many landowners believed it was cheaper

to work slaves to death than replace them

Roman Slave Quarters

Slavery in Roman Empire

Slavery in United States

REVOLT!

Living Conditions Overcrowded Noisy Congested streets Dangerous HUGE difference between lifestyles of

rich and poor

Roman insulae

Roman villas

Interior of Roman house

Interior of Roman house

Interior of Roman house

Public Programs About 200,000 people received FREE

grain Entertainment provided Great religious festivals with public

spectacles Gladiators! Chariot races! Dramatic performances!

The Coliseum

Roman Bath in England

Roman Aqueducts

All roads lead to Rome!

Roman Arch Bridge in Spain

Hadrian’s Wall in Britain

Roman Art and Architecture are all Around Us.

Jefferson Memorial

Lincoln Memorial

The US Capitol Building