Ancient Rome Notes

Pax Romana

Objectives

The student will be able to demonstrate knowledge of ancient Rome from about 700 B.C.E. to 500 C.E. in terms of its impact on Western civilization by

Explaining the economic, social, and political impact of the Pax Romana

Essential QuestionsWhat was the Pax Romana?

What was the impact of the Pax Romana on the Roman Empire?

Pax Romana

A period of peace and prosperity known as “Roman peace”, lasted from 27 B.C.E. to 180 C.E. (207 years)

During this time the Roman Empire continued to expand, especially into the Near East

Economic ImpactAgriculture was the most important industry (90% farmed)

Silver coin, the denarius, was used throughout Rome, which made trade between all parts of the empire easy• Uniform system of

money

Economic ImpactA complex network of roads linked the empire to Persia, southern Russia, China, etc.were originally built by military

Roads were protected and safe to travel which encouraged tradeGoods and culture were spread

Overall promoted peace and stability

Social Impact

Family was the heart of Roman society

The Pax Romana increased emphasis on family

the eldest man, known as the paterfamilias, or “father of the family”

had power to rule the household, control property, banish family members, etc.

Social Impact

Women, both rich and poor, were nearly equal the men

Upper-class women could own property and attended public baths, plays, and festivals, but still could not vote

Lower-class women could be weavers, shopkeepers, or entertainers

Social Impact

Few children went to school, boys were favored over girls, and poor children had to work and were generally illiterate

Slaves were a bigger part of Roman culture than any culture before; they worked in cities and on farms and many were treated cruelly or forced to be gladiators

Political Impact

Augustus stabilized the frontier, glorified Rome with splendid buildings and created a long-lasting system of government

Created a uniform rule of law

He also set up a civil service

which meant that he paid workers to manage the affairs of government, such as the grain supply, tax collection, and the postal system

Political Impact

The Senate still functioned, but the civil servants, drawn from plebeians and former slaves administered the empire

The Roman Forum was a central area in which commerce and the administration of justice took place

Objectives

The student will be able to demonstrate knowledge of ancient Rome from about 700 B.C.E. to 500 C.E. in terms of its impact on Western civilization by

Explaining the economic, social, and political impact of the Pax Romana

Essential QuestionsWhat was the Pax Romana?

What was the impact of the Pax Romana on the Roman Empire?

Ancient Rome Notes

Roman Contributions

Objectives

The student will be able to demonstrate knowledge of ancient Rome from about 700 B.C.E. to 500 C.E. in terms of its impact on Western civilization by

Listing contributions in art and architecture, technology, and science, literature, and history, language, religious institutions, and law

Essential QuestionsHow did Roman achievements influence western civilization?

Art/Architecture

The Colossuem, a huge arena that could hold 50,000 and hosted gladiators contests, games, races, animal shows, etc.

Art/Architecture

The Pantheon was a temple for all the gods in Rome, had massive columns and domes, which were typical

Art/Architecture

Used bas-relief, where images project from a flat background

Where also skilled in mosaics, pictures or designs made by setting small pieces of stone, glass, or tile onto a surface

Technology

Aqueducts were designed to bring water into cities and towns

Couldn’t be built without roman arches

Vast network of roads

built of stone, concrete,

and sand

Languages

Latin was the official language of Rome

Latin influenced French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and Romanian which became known

as the Romance

Languages

Literature

Writers used Roman themes and ideas while following Greek forms and models

Virgil, a poet, wrote The Aeneid, which was a praise of Rome and Roman virtues; he believed government was Rome’s most important contribution to civilization

Law

All persons had the right to equal treatment

under the lawA person was considered innocent until proven guiltyThe burden of proof rested with the accuser, not the accused

A person should be punished only for actions, not thoughts

Any law that seemed unreasonable or unfair

could be set aside

Medicine

Emphasis on public health

Public baths

Public water system

Medical schools

Religion

Adopted the Greek gods, but changed their names

Most important were Jupiter (Zeus) – father of the gods, Juno (Hera) – his wife, who watched over marriage and women, and Minerva (Athena) – goddess of wisdom and war

Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire and eventually became the official religion

Greek and Roman GodsGreek God Roman God Role

Ares Mars* God of War

Zeus Jupiter* Chief God

Hera Juno Wife of chief God

Aphrodite Venus Goddess of love

Artemis Diana Goddess of the Hunt

Athena Minerva Goddess of Wisdom

Hermes Mercury Messenger God

Hades Pluto God of the Underworld

Poseidon Neptune God of the Sea

Hephaestus Vulcan God of Fire

Gods and Goddesses Roman Gods and Goddesses

polytheistic Government and religion

linked Deities symbols of state

Expected to honor in private rituals as well as publicly in temples Military campaigns began with

worship and sacrifices to the Gods

Also worship of the Emperor became part of the official religion of Rome as well Concept of Pietas- dutiful

obedience▪ King head of the state,

paterfamilias head of the household

Gladiators

Gladiator games used to distract and control the masses of Rome

Mainly poor and unemployed

By A.D. 250 over 150 holidays a year

Free games, races, mock battles, and Gladiator battles

Celebrated in Coliseum

Combined bravery, cruelty, honor, and violence

Wild animals from distant lands

Objectives

The student will be able to demonstrate knowledge of ancient Rome from about 700 B.C.E. to 500 C.E. in terms of its impact on Western civilization by

Listing contributions in art and architecture, technology, and science, literature, and history, language, religious institutions, and law

Essential QuestionsHow did Roman achievements influence western civilization?