LAW & COMMERCE RELIGION GOVERNMENT DAILY LIFE & ENTERTAINMENT The City of Rome (culture)

LAW & COMMERCE Slaves were the backbone of the economy, slaves typically farmed the land, manufactured goods and worked as shop assistants hand made bronze coins value based on metal content Rural products came from surrounding countryside Marine goods from port of Ostia Various sales taxes Laws written 450BC in 12 “tables” & studied as a “Science” Lawyers trained in speaking skills & not paid Speaking skills seen as “manly” attributes 2 nd only to fighting ability Only citizens protected by law Pater familiaris Criminal cases heard by juries of wealthy citizens

RELIGION Polythiestic = many gods tradition and custom Poorer Romans had less knowledge Private religion very different to public religion Public temple worship unpopular, controlled by the gov’t demonstrated nationalism & loyalty Pontifex Maximus = chief priest, but political

RELIGION continued Private devotion to  ancestors (Lares)  protectors of the house & food (Penates)  cults from the Eastern Med. Introduced by returning soldiers swamped with Greek gods & philosophies e.g. Stoicism, Epicureanism & Cynicism Obsessed with signs, omens, portents, auspices etc. By late Republic public religion and temples to Roman gods were in decline Materialism became popular

GOVERNMENT & POLITICS Constitution never written down based on traditions of the past Law written 450BC, studied as a “Science” Senate - seat of power Success in the Senate required  Oratory (speaking) skill  Military success  Respectable family  Wealth  Clients  “good omens”

GOVERNMENT & POLITICS continued Roman leaders were expected to embody: Pietas – doing a man’s duty Gravitas – being serious & authoritive Constantia – holding your ground being consistent Comitas – a sense of humour Disciplina – self discipline Industria – hard working Servitas – tough on yourself

Even more GOVERNMENT & POLITICS Two Consuls were the head of the government There were both the govenment and Thheavily populated area on the Subura Way trades and manufacturing area High levels of crime, prostitution, and the poverty Inscriptions provide evidence of a Jewish synagogue Suetonius writes that Julius Caesar, once lived here Suetonius Juvenal refers to fires, falling rooftiles, assaults, and mille pericula saevae urbis, "the thousand dangers of a savage city" (Sat ).

Entertainment Romans were passionate about entertainment Their top 5 past times would have been;  Bathing  Gladiator contests  Chariot Racing  Gambling  Board games

Entertainment continued Entertainment had an important social function  As the number of slaves increased, Roman citizens found they had increasing social time  Men and women were segregated  With the exception of the baths, citizens would be segregated by social class  Seating reinforced the social hierarchy with Senators having the best seats, followed by Equestrians, Plebeian citizens and finally slaves Entertainers were considered the lowest in society, therefore actors, gladiators, chariot racers were usually slaves

Even more Entertainment Important political & propaganda functions  Plebeians were undermployed, there was fear that without something to do they would revolt  Games were seen as a way to keep the Plebs happy & entertained  Aspiring politicians would host games as a means of political advertising in the lead up to elections  Victorious generals used games to display captured slaves and animals from conquered territories (and hence promote their political career)  Gladiators role played stories from Rome’s past and dressed as enemies or heroes of Rome  Theatre promoted particular Roman ideals and justified Rome’s actions  Factions (teams) in chariot races represented political ideas e.g. Optimates & populares