Culture And Society In Rome

Global Studies I

Roman Art and Architecture Romans adopted many

features of Greek art and architecture Greek Statues Ideal beauty and

appearance

Greek Architecture Colonnades, rectangular buildings

Roman Art and Architecture Roman Statues Romans produced realistic statues Roman Architecture Colonnades, rectangular buildings Curved lines: arch, vault, dome Concrete roads, bridges, aqueducts

Roman Literature Augustan Age was

the “golden age” of Latin literature Virgil Poet, wrote the

Aeneid in honor of Rome Hero: Aeneas is the ideal Roman  Virtues: duty, piety, and faithfulness 

Roman Literature Horace poet enjoyed pointing out

“the follies and vices of his age.” laughs at the weaknesses of humans Satires 

attacks job dissatisfaction and greed

Roman Literature Livy historian History of Rome saw history in terms of moral lessons celebrated Rome’s greatness weakness: 

Not always concerned about getting the whole truth

The Roman Family Headed by the

paterfamilias – dominant male Included wife, sons with their wives and children, unmarried daughters, and slaves Roman children were raised in the home Upper-class children (boys and girls) were expected to be educated

The Roman Family Attitudes toward women Had a male guardian (until late 2nd century) Arranged marriages (usually around age 14) Divorce was acceptable and could be obtained for any reason Upper-class women had considerable freedom and independence

Slavery Common throughout the

ancient world POWs brought back to Italy as slaves Greek slaves served as tutors, musicians, doctors, and artists, shop assistants and craftspeople Others worked in Roman households, built roads and public buildings living conditions were pitiful

Slavery Slave revolts 73 BC, most famous Led by gladiator, Spartacus Involved 70,000 slaves  Defeated several Roman armies before being trapped and killed in 71BC  6000 followers were crucified (put to death by hanging on a cross) 

Daily Life in the City of Rome Living Conditions Overcrowded and noisy Dangerous Rich lived in villas, poor lived in weakly constructed apartment blocks called insulae Constant threat of fire  Entire families lived in one room due to ridiculously high rents 

Daily Life in the City of Rome Public Programs Serious problems Emperors provided free grain for poor Entertainment was provided to distract Romans from worries of the day Circus Maximus  Dramatic performances  Gladiatorial shows 

“Bread and Circuses” What is meant by the following quote by the

Roman poet Juvenal? “Nowadays, with no vote…their motto is ‘Couldn’t care less.’ Time was when their vote elected generals, heads of state, commanders of legions: but now…there’s only two things that concern them: Bread and Circuses.”