Roman Daily Life

Roman Citizens  Rome was the first overly populated city of its time.  Every FIVE years Roman men registered for the CENSUS (official count of people living in Rome).  If a man did not register he risked losing his land and possibly being sold into slavery  Rome was the first overly populated city of its time.  Every FIVE years Roman men registered for the CENSUS (official count of people living in Rome).  If a man did not register he risked losing his land and possibly being sold into slavery

Roman Pride and Greek Influence  Romans felt great pride in their city because Rome was filled with beautiful buildings, monuments, and was the center of religion, politics, and culture.  Many of their buildings and art work were modeled after their long admired Greek neighbors.  They also practiced polytheism like the Greeks and even copied their gods.  The Roman gods shared the characteristics of the Greek gods, but the Romans just gave them new names. Example: Greek God “Zeus” = Roman God “Jupiter”  Romans felt great pride in their city because Rome was filled with beautiful buildings, monuments, and was the center of religion, politics, and culture.  Many of their buildings and art work were modeled after their long admired Greek neighbors.  They also practiced polytheism like the Greeks and even copied their gods.  The Roman gods shared the characteristics of the Greek gods, but the Romans just gave them new names. Example: Greek God “Zeus” = Roman God “Jupiter”

Roman Architecture and Technology  The Romans spent a lot of time working on designs such as “arches”(a curved structure used as a support over an open space, as in a doorway).  The Romans invented concrete (a mix of stone, sand, cement, and water) to build sturdier buildings than had ever been built before.  An example of a structure that combines the two elements mentioned is a stadium called the “Colossem” (site of contests and combats).  They also made concrete “roads” to allow their military to travel quickly incase of an emergency.  Romans built “Aqueducts” (structures that carried water over long distances).  The Romans spent a lot of time working on designs such as “arches”(a curved structure used as a support over an open space, as in a doorway).  The Romans invented concrete (a mix of stone, sand, cement, and water) to build sturdier buildings than had ever been built before.  An example of a structure that combines the two elements mentioned is a stadium called the “Colossem” (site of contests and combats).  They also made concrete “roads” to allow their military to travel quickly incase of an emergency.  Romans built “Aqueducts” (structures that carried water over long distances).

Roman Social Classes  High (rich) class  Small group of citizens that lived in elegant country estates called VILLAS.  The rich loved to feast on exotic meat and entertain one another with musicians, dancers and performers reciting poems.  High (rich) class  Small group of citizens that lived in elegant country estates called VILLAS.  The rich loved to feast on exotic meat and entertain one another with musicians, dancers and performers reciting poems.

Social Classes Cont…  Poor Class  Majority of Romans were poor and lived in rundown tall apartment houses with no running water, toilets, or kitchens.  Fires were frequent and often fatal because the houses were made of wood and built so closely together.  Poor Class  Majority of Romans were poor and lived in rundown tall apartment houses with no running water, toilets, or kitchens.  Fires were frequent and often fatal because the houses were made of wood and built so closely together.

Bread and Circuses  The Poor needed wheat to survive, so if the harvests were bad or shipments were late, the poor often rioted out of desperation.  The Emperor supplied free grain in desperate times to stop the riots as well as provided spectacular shows to distract the people.  shows were held in a great arena called the Colosseum or in smaller arena’s called circuses.  The Poor needed wheat to survive, so if the harvests were bad or shipments were late, the poor often rioted out of desperation.  The Emperor supplied free grain in desperate times to stop the riots as well as provided spectacular shows to distract the people.  shows were held in a great arena called the Colosseum or in smaller arena’s called circuses.

Colosseum and the Circuses  Romans, rich and poor, packed the arenas to watch violent shows of humans fighting animals, or animals fighting animals.  The humans that fought were called “Gladiators” and they usually fought to the death.  Gladiators were slaves who were captured in battle or free men and women that gained fame and fortune from their wins.  Romans, rich and poor, packed the arenas to watch violent shows of humans fighting animals, or animals fighting animals.  The humans that fought were called “Gladiators” and they usually fought to the death.  Gladiators were slaves who were captured in battle or free men and women that gained fame and fortune from their wins.

Roman Family Life  Romans really valued family life and were encouraged by the government to marry by the age of 20 and begin having babies.  Men were in charge of the household and “owned” his wife, children, slaves, and business (Paterfamilias- father of the family).  Up to three generations of families lived under one roof.  Romans really valued family life and were encouraged by the government to marry by the age of 20 and begin having babies.  Men were in charge of the household and “owned” his wife, children, slaves, and business (Paterfamilias- father of the family).  Up to three generations of families lived under one roof.

WOMEN’S ROLES  Women had independence if their husbands were rich and powerful, otherwise they had to stay at home and tend to the house.  Some wealthy women started their own careers in medicine, trade, cooking, dressmaking, or hairdressing.  Women had independence if their husbands were rich and powerful, otherwise they had to stay at home and tend to the house.  Some wealthy women started their own careers in medicine, trade, cooking, dressmaking, or hairdressing.

Slavery in Rome  Slavery was very common in Rome and both rich and poor people owned them.  Household slaves were more fortunate than others because they were usually treated with kindness, unlike slaves that worked in fields or mines.  Gladiators were not lucky in the fact that they could die during a show, but on the other hand, they were able to collect tips to try and buy their freedom from their fans if they were successful fighters.  Slavery was very common in Rome and both rich and poor people owned them.  Household slaves were more fortunate than others because they were usually treated with kindness, unlike slaves that worked in fields or mines.  Gladiators were not lucky in the fact that they could die during a show, but on the other hand, they were able to collect tips to try and buy their freedom from their fans if they were successful fighters.

Daily Life Summary  As the roman Empire expanded, people beyond Rome gained Roman citizenship.  Romans were influenced greatly by Greece and Romans invented arches and concrete.  A small group of people were wealthy in Rome, the majority of Romans were poor.  Men held the most power within their families.  Slavery was Common in ancient Rome.  THE END  As the roman Empire expanded, people beyond Rome gained Roman citizenship.  Romans were influenced greatly by Greece and Romans invented arches and concrete.  A small group of people were wealthy in Rome, the majority of Romans were poor.  Men held the most power within their families.  Slavery was Common in ancient Rome.  THE END