Ancient Rome Notes

1. Ancient Rome Notes Pax Romana

2. Objectives • The student will be able to demonstrate knowledge of ancient Rome from about 700 B.C.E. to 500 C.E. in terms of its impact on Western civilization by • Explaining the economic, social, and political impact of the Pax Romana • Essential Questions • What was the Pax Romana? • What was the impact of the Pax Romana on the Roman Empire?

3. Pax Romana • A period of peace and prosperity known as “Roman peace”, lasted from 27 B.C.E. to 180 C.E. (207 years) • During this time the Roman Empire continued to expand, especially into the Near East

4. Economic Impact • Agriculture was the most important industry (90% farmed) • Silver coin, the denarius, was used throughout Rome, which made trade between all parts of the empire easy • Uniform system of money

5. Economic Impact • A complex network of roads linked the empire to Persia, southern Russia, China, etc. • were originally built by military • Roads were protected and safe to travel which encouraged trade • Goods and culture were spread • Overall promoted peace and stability

6. Social Impact • Family was the heart of Roman society • The Pax Romana increased emphasis on family • the eldest man, known as the paterfamilias, or “father of the family” • had power to rule the household, control property, banish family members, etc.

7. Social Impact • Women, both rich and poor, were nearly equal the men • Upper-class women could own property and attended public baths, plays, and festivals, but still could not vote • Lower-class women could be weavers, shopkeepers, or entertainers

8. Social Impact • Few children went to school, boys were favored over girls, and poor children had to work and were generally illiterate • Slaves were a bigger part of Roman culture than any culture before; they worked in cities and on farms and many were treated cruelly or forced to be gladiators

9. Political Impact • Augustus stabilized the frontier, glorified Rome with splendid buildings and created a long-lasting system of government • Created a uniform rule of law • He also set up a civil service • which meant that he paid workers to manage the affairs of government, such as the grain supply, tax collection, and the postal system

10. Political Impact • The Senate still functioned, but the civil servants, drawn from plebeians and former slaves administered the empire • The Roman Forum was a central area in which commerce and the administration of justice took place

11. Objectives • The student will be able to demonstrate knowledge of ancient Rome from about 700 B.C.E. to 500 C.E. in terms of its impact on Western civilization by • Explaining the economic, social, and political impact of the Pax Romana • Essential Questions • What was the Pax Romana? • What was the impact of the Pax Romana on the Roman Empire?

12. Ancient Rome Notes Roman Contributions

13. Objectives • The student will be able to demonstrate knowledge of ancient Rome from about 700 B.C.E. to 500 C.E. in terms of its impact on Western civilization by • Listing contributions in art and architecture, technology, and science, literature, and history, language, religious institutions, and law • Essential Questions • How did Roman achievements influence western civilization?

14. Art/Architecture • The Colossuem, a huge arena that could hold 50,000 and hosted gladiators contests, games, races, animal shows, etc.

16. Art/Architecture • The Pantheon was a temple for all the gods in Rome, had massive columns and domes, which were typical

17. Art/Architecture • Used bas-relief, where images project from a flat background • Where also skilled in mosaics, pictures or designs made by setting small pieces of stone, glass, or tile onto a surface

18. Technology • Aqueducts were designed to bring water into cities and towns • Couldn’t be built without roman arches • Vast network of roads built of stone, concrete, and sand

19. Languages • Latin was the official language of Rome • Latin influenced French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and Romanian which became known as the Romance Languages

20. Literature • Writers used Roman themes and ideas while following Greek forms and models • Virgil, a poet, wrote The Aeneid, which was a praise of Rome and Roman virtues; he believed government was Rome’s most important contribution to civilization

21. Law • All persons had the right to equal treatment under the law • A person was considered innocent until proven guilty • The burden of proof rested with the accuser, not the accused • A person should be punished only for actions, not thoughts • Any law that seemed unreasonable or unfair could be set aside

22. Medicine • Emphasis on public health • Public baths • Public water system • Medical schools

23. Religion • Adopted the Greek gods, but changed their names • Most important were Jupiter (Zeus) – father of the gods, Juno (Hera) – his wife, who watched over marriage and women, and Minerva (Athena) – goddess of wisdom and war • Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire and eventually became the official religion

24. Greek and Roman Gods

25. Gods and Goddesses • Roman Gods and Goddesses • polytheistic • Government and religion linked • Deities symbols of state • Expected to honor in private rituals as well as publicly in temples • Military campaigns began with worship and sacrifices to the Gods • Also worship of the Emperor became part of the official religion of Rome as well • Concept of Pietas- dutiful obedience • King head of the state, paterfamilias head of the household

26. Gladiators • Gladiator games used to distract and control the masses of Rome • Mainly poor and unemployed • By A.D. 250 over 150 holidays a year • Free games, races, mock battles, and Gladiator battles • Celebrated in Coliseum • Combined bravery, cruelty, honor, and violence • Wild animals from distant lands

31. Objectives • The student will be able to demonstrate knowledge of ancient Rome from about 700 B.C.E. to 500 C.E. in terms of its impact on Western civilization by • Listing contributions in art and architecture, technology, and science, literature, and history, language, religious institutions, and law • Essential Questions • How did Roman achievements influence western civilization?