1. The Daily Life and contributions of the Ancient Romans
World History I

2. Main Ideas
Culture - Roles in Roman family life and society were clearly defined.
Belief Systems – Roman religious beliefs were influenced by other cultures and linked with government.
Culture – Although they were overcrowded and dirty, Roman cities were also places of interesting innovations and entertainments.

3. Essential Question: How were the family and society organized?

4. Women and Children Women Children
Women could inherit property but couldn’t vote
Women ran household, and cared for children
Father was head of the house and owned property
Children
Most were educated at home
Rich families sent boys to private school
Girls learned household skills
Married around the age of 14

5. Social Classes Patricians and wealthy plebeians formed upper class
Middle class of businessmen and officials developed
Farmers formed one of the lower classes
Slaves were the lowest and largest class
About one-third of the population
Worked in mines, on estates, as servants, or in clerical positions
Revolts were common, but none succeeded

6. What were the roles in a typical Roman family?
Review Question:
What were the roles in a typical Roman family?

7. Essential Question: What religious beliefs did the Romans hold?
Roman Beliefs
Essential Question:
What religious beliefs did the Romans hold?

8. Religious Influences on Religion and Public Life
Early Romans worshipped nature spirits and household gods
Later, they adopted Etruscan rituals and Greek gods
Religion and Public Life
Religion and government were linked
Priests were government officials
Emperor was head of church
Roman gods that symbolized state were honored in public ceremonies
Over time, living emperor was worshipped as a god

9. Greek and Roman mythology
Greek Name
Roman Name
Zeus
Jupiter
Hera
Juno
Athena
Minerva
Apollo
Aphrodite
Venus
Artemis
Diana

10. Religion Roman Mythology
Later adoption of Christianity as imperial religion

11. The Pantheon

12. What influences helped form the Roman religion?
Review Question:
What influences helped form the Roman religion?

13. Essential Question: What was life like in Roman cities?
Life in Roman Cities
Essential Question:
What was life like in Roman cities?

14. The Crowded City
At the height of the Roman Empire, nearly 1 million lived in Rome
People moved to Rome from all over the empire
The poor and unemployed lived in dirty, noisy, and crowded city center
Lacked food
Government gave free grain to prevent unrest
The rich had large country homes, and/or lavish houses in the cities
Went to theater, had dinner parties
Ate food like dates, oysters, ham

15. Ancient Roman Apartments (insulae)

16. Structures of City Life
Built sewers and plumbing systems to improve sanitation
Aqueducts brought water to towns through pipes and channels
Mostly underground, but also over high bridges
Public baths were used by all classes to bathe and to socialize

17. Aqueducts

18. Health Emphasis on public health
Public baths, public water system, medical schools

19. Roman Sports
Government provided entertainment to distract Romans from problems
Circus Maximus: large oval stadium for chariot races
Colosseum – famous arena
Gladiators – trained slaves who fought as warriors to the death in arenas
Arenas were located throughout the empire, but the Colosseum was the main event

20. Circus Maximus

21. The Colosseum

22. Review Question:
How did the Roman government try to solve some of the problems of city life?

23. Technology
Roman Arch

24. Other contributions Latin Literature: Virgil – Aeneid
Romance languages (French, Spanish, Italian, English, etc.)
Literature: Virgil – Aeneid
One of the greatest works of Roman literature
A myth about the beginnings of Rome
Principle of “Innocent until Proven Guilty”
Twelve Tables

25. Lesson Summary
Family life and social classes were important in ancient Rome.
Romans worshipped many gods both privately at home and in public ceremonies.
Roman city life was challenging, but the government tried to ease some of its problems.
The Romans made many technological advances that impacted Western culture.

26. Why it Matters Now…
Ancient Rome was a mixture of different cultures and beliefs, just like many modern societies today including our own.