1. Rome PERSIA Characteristics

2. Political Republic- citizens choose representatives Twelve Tables – Set of rules; protected all citizens Roman Legion- Military of over 5,000 men Republic replaced by TRIUMVIRATE- group of three leaders Julius Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey - - - caused by and led to civil war

3. Economic Vast trading network Materials- glass, gold, marble, metals Pottery, wine, animal products 90% of workers were employed as farmers 60-80 million people to feed! 1/3 of the population were slaves Used a common currency (coins) to make trade easier

4. Religious Early Rome practiced a mythology similar to Greece Jewish people had lost their land to the Romans, and hoped for their messiah to restore their kingdom Jesus Christ– not believed by Jewish leaders, feared by Roman leaders Sentenced to death The Apostle Paul spread Christianity to non-Jews and Christians were persecuted Roman Emperor, Constantine- ends persecution and makes Christianity the official religion

5. Social Every five years, a census collected information about citizens Social class and wealth played a huge role in your freedom/power Plebeians Patricians Women gained power through marriage; arranged marriages Boys and girls education was the same at a young age, but only wealthy families educated older daughters

6. Intellectual Virgil, Roman writer wrote the Aeneid (comparable to Homer’s epics) Latin became the official language of the Roman Empire and the Roman Catholic Church Many languages originate here- French, Italian, Spanish Many Latin terms used in English Engineering– arches and domes still standing today Aqueducts used to carry water into cities

7. Artistic Greco-Roman… blend of Greek, Helenistic, and Roman culture Art was used primarily to educate Mosaics- tiny tiles used to create pictures Sculpture and pottery influence by Greeks Gladiators served as entertainment/sport