1. The Roman Empire Society and Life

2. Society of the Roman Empire Roman Society was very different, but at the same time very similar to our society today. Roman Society was very different, but at the same time very similar to our society today. Various similarities are the taking of the census, their civilized city, and political parties. Various similarities are the taking of the census, their civilized city, and political parties. The Roman Empire is different in the laws they had, their style of living, and education systems. The Roman Empire is different in the laws they had, their style of living, and education systems.

3. The Forum The Forum remained the center of Roman life in the city of Rome throughout Roman rule. The Forum remained the center of Roman life in the city of Rome throughout Roman rule. The Forum is an open square with many shops and government buildings, in the heart of the city of Rome. The Forum is an open square with many shops and government buildings, in the heart of the city of Rome. Rome’s oldest street, the Via Sacra, runs through the Forum. Rome’s oldest street, the Via Sacra, runs through the Forum. The Forum was a place of meeting, shopping, government work, and was the cultural center of the city. The Forum was a place of meeting, shopping, government work, and was the cultural center of the city. Around 11 o’clock each day, the Forum was most the busy and alive with activity. Around 11 o’clock each day, the Forum was most the busy and alive with activity.

4. Shops, Markets, and Streets There are many busy streets with stores that branch off of the Forum. There are many busy streets with stores that branch off of the Forum. For example, the Argiletum was a street that had many shoe and book stores. For example, the Argiletum was a street that had many shoe and book stores. Another famous street was the Vicus Tuscus which had many spice shops. Another famous street was the Vicus Tuscus which had many spice shops. The subura was the poor market area in the city of Rome. The subura was the poor market area in the city of Rome. The poor and slaves of Rome shopped at the subura that had discounted items, but crime was a big problem. The poor and slaves of Rome shopped at the subura that had discounted items, but crime was a big problem.

5. The Census Every 5 years, in Rome, each male citizen had to register for the Roman census. Every 5 years, in Rome, each male citizen had to register for the Roman census. For the census, each male had to give information about his family, slaves, and wealth. For the census, each male had to give information about his family, slaves, and wealth. In order to be a Roman citizen, a man had to be registered in the census. In order to be a Roman citizen, a man had to be registered in the census. This represented freedom for those who took the census. This represented freedom for those who took the census. Specially trained census takers were nobles who made sure all the information was concise and accurate. Specially trained census takers were nobles who made sure all the information was concise and accurate.

6. Roman Values Romans held a main belief that the judgment and thoughts of you by others was important and required. Romans held a main belief that the judgment and thoughts of you by others was important and required. Romans did not believe in judging themselves, but rather believed that theirs fellow citizens opinions were more important. Romans did not believe in judging themselves, but rather believed that theirs fellow citizens opinions were more important. In short, a person had to be “deemed worthy by others” In short, a person had to be “deemed worthy by others” Romans believed in achieving honor and glory in order to climb the social ladder. Romans believed in achieving honor and glory in order to climb the social ladder.

7. Nobility Achieving noble status in Roman society was considered an honor and put a person high up in society. Achieving noble status in Roman society was considered an honor and put a person high up in society. Achieving noble status was gradual and took many years to establish. Achieving noble status was gradual and took many years to establish. The time required to become a noble was three generations of fathers who held high positions in office or work. The time required to become a noble was three generations of fathers who held high positions in office or work. Those born to a man already declared a noble were automatically declared nobles. Those born to a man already declared a noble were automatically declared nobles.

8. Political Parties Rome was never a true democracy because citizens voted depending which candidates their families were loyal to. Rome was never a true democracy because citizens voted depending which candidates their families were loyal to. In the later years of the Roman Republic, two political parties formed, one called the populares and the other named the optimates. In the later years of the Roman Republic, two political parties formed, one called the populares and the other named the optimates. The populares wanted the extension of citizenship for more people, canceling citizen’s debts, and land distribution. Most of the poorer classes of Roman society belonged to this party. The populares wanted the extension of citizenship for more people, canceling citizen’s debts, and land distribution. Most of the poorer classes of Roman society belonged to this party. The optimates were more conservative and believed in keeping with the Roman tradition and existing order. The optimates were more conservative and believed in keeping with the Roman tradition and existing order.

9. The Work Day The average Roman would work about a 6 hour day. The average Roman would work about a 6 hour day. Only men in the family worked jobs, while the women stayed home to domestic tasks and take care of the children. Only men in the family worked jobs, while the women stayed home to domestic tasks and take care of the children. Some examples of Roman jobs were architects, engineers, sculptors, carpenters, day laborers, traders, and normal businessmen. Some examples of Roman jobs were architects, engineers, sculptors, carpenters, day laborers, traders, and normal businessmen. Son’s in the family would usually follow their father in working the same job or business as their father. Son’s in the family would usually follow their father in working the same job or business as their father. After work, many would head for the forum or public baths to relax and socialize. After work, many would head for the forum or public baths to relax and socialize.

10. Roman Women In Roman society, the man in their family, either being their father or husband, was their guardian. In Roman society, the man in their family, either being their father or husband, was their guardian. Girls were not to talk with other boys, especially before they were married, because it was very shamed upon. Girls were not to talk with other boys, especially before they were married, because it was very shamed upon. Once married, women received more freedom in having authority over family slaves, children, and running the house. Once married, women received more freedom in having authority over family slaves, children, and running the house. When compared to women in other cultures of the time, Roman women received much more freedom and liberty. When compared to women in other cultures of the time, Roman women received much more freedom and liberty.

11. Slaves The Roman Empire, just like most all other civilizations of the time, used slave labor. The Roman Empire, just like most all other civilizations of the time, used slave labor. Slaves held major roles in working in mines, on farms, making pottery, and in construction. Slaves held major roles in working in mines, on farms, making pottery, and in construction. The Roman Empire became dependent on slave labor and would be challenged without it. The Roman Empire became dependent on slave labor and would be challenged without it. The rich of Rome usually had many slaves, sometimes over 20. The rich of Rome usually had many slaves, sometimes over 20. Not having slaves accompany you to public places such as bath houses made a person look poor and not of high class. Not having slaves accompany you to public places such as bath houses made a person look poor and not of high class. Some owners let slaves buy their freedom from them. Some owners let slaves buy their freedom from them. A freed slave then could become a full Roman citizen. A freed slave then could become a full Roman citizen.

12. Education In the Early Roman Empire, education was left in the hands of a child’s parents. In the Early Roman Empire, education was left in the hands of a child’s parents. As time passed, schools began to arise and the rich would send their children to school. As time passed, schools began to arise and the rich would send their children to school. During their early child, girls and boys received the same amount of education. During their early child, girls and boys received the same amount of education. Boys would usually then be sent for further education if the family could afford it. Boys would usually then be sent for further education if the family could afford it. Rich families would send their children to school at age 7. Rich families would send their children to school at age 7. In school, they learned the basics such as reading, writing, and arithmetic. In school, they learned the basics such as reading, writing, and arithmetic.

13. Roman Holidays There were many public holidays in the Roman Empire throughout the year. There were many public holidays in the Roman Empire throughout the year. It is recorded that during the rule of emperor Claudius, there were 159 public holidays. It is recorded that during the rule of emperor Claudius, there were 159 public holidays. Holidays were celebrated with events such as chariot races and gladiatorial combats. Holidays were celebrated with events such as chariot races and gladiatorial combats.