Roman Society and Culture

Villa- Rich citizens’ houses  Running Water Baths Poor Lived in Apartments --Fire caused constant threat --To keep poor from rebelling, entertainment was paid for by the government

Circuses: Where chariot races took place o Circus Maximus could hold 250,000 spectators o Romans enjoyed the bloody spectacles in amphitheatres o  bear fights o  Professional Fighters o  Criminals thrown in o  GLADIATORS o COLOSSEUM- a huge amphitheatre could hold 50,000 people.

Entertainment- Baths! Found hygiene to be very important People would socialize and discuss politics and current events. In steam rooms, exercise rooms, pools. Found hygiene to be very important People would socialize and discuss politics and current events. In steam rooms, exercise rooms, pools.

Paterfamilias family father, had extensive powers over family Emphasized the values of simplicity, religious devotion, obedience Fathers could kill, disown, or sell children into slavery Adoption important: families with no sons would adopt men to serve as heir (Julius Caesar adopted his nephew, Octavian)

AUGURS interpreted “signs” in natural phenomena Gods gave signs like flights of birds, color of entrails in sacrificed animals Nothing important done without consulting augurs Made offers to gods Romans adopted Greek, Egyptian, Mesopotamian, and Persian gods Romans worshiped “penates” family gods

Aqueduct man-made channels used to bring water to cities