The Roman Culture

1
The Roman Culture

• Benjamin Harris
• Western World Humanities Presentation

2
Background Information

• The began of the historic Roman Empire dates back
  to 27 B.C.
• The Roman Empire covered an area from Cumbria and
  Morocco to the Euphrates River, with a population
  of over one million.
• Especially remembered for their accomplishments
  in law.

3
Cont

• Romans were down-to-earth realists, not idealists
  like the Greeks that preceded them.
• The Romans were fierce soldiers and wonderful
  builders, known for their massive road systems.
• Even for the poor, life in the city was lively.
  Activities ranged from shows in the theatres,
  races, and fights in the arenas.

4
(No Transcript)
5
Generalizations of the Roman Culture

• Life in Ancient Rome revolved around the city
  itself, located on seven hills, around the
  structures such as the Colosseum, the Forum of
  Trajan, and the Panthenon.
• Residential architecture ranged from modest
  houses to country villas. In the capital city of
  Rome, there were imperial residences on the
  prestigious Palatine Hill, from which the word
  palace is derived.
• As in present day living, the poor lived in
  packed apartments, which are like our modern day
  ghettos.

6
The Colosseum
7
Forum of Tarjan
8
(No Transcript)
9
Romes Cultural Legacy

• Latin, Romes primary language, remains used in
  religion, science, and law.
• Christianity, a religion adopted by the Romans,
  has over two billion followers today.

10
Roman Law

• The most remarkable contributions to the European
  culture was Roman law. The Romans created a
  sophisticated legal system.
• The history of Roman law begins with the twelve
  tables(449 B.C.), written by Decemviri Consulari
  Imperio Legibus Scribundis (the 10 consuls)
• The new code promoted the organization of public
  prosecution of crimes and instituted a system
  whereby injured parties could seek just
  compensation in civil disputes. Serious
  punishments were levied for theft and the law
  gave male heads of families enormous social power
  (patria potestas).

11
The Twelve Tables

• Table I Preliminaries to a trial rules for a
  trial.
• Table II The trial
• Table III Debt
• Table IV Rights of fathers
• Table V Guardianship
• Table VI Acquisition possession
• Table VII Rights concerning land
• Table VIII Torts or delicts
• Table IX Public law
• Table X Sacred law
• Table XI Supplementary laws
• Table XII Supplementary laws

12
Religion in Rome

• Private and personal worship was an important
  aspect of religious practices.
• Each household as a temple to the gods. Each
  household had an altar, at which the family would
  pray, perform rites, and interact with the gods.
• The three central gods of the Roman Culture
  Jupiter (rain, thunder, and lightning), Mars( god
  of warfare), Quirinus ( watched over the Senate
  House)
• Two major philosophical schools emerged under
  Roman beliefs Stoicism and Cynicism.
• Christianity arose from the worship of Judaism,
  picking up influences from Greek philosophy.

13
Schooling

• Before Rome created a regular school system, home
  was the learning center. Here, children were
  taught Roman law, customs, and physical training
  to prepare the boys to grow as Roman citizens and
  for eventual recruitment into the army.
• The school system evolved around 200 B.C., where
  education began around the age of six. By the age
  of 12, students would be learning Latin, Greek,
  grammar and literature, followed by oratory.
• The goal of education in ancient Rome was to be
  an effective speaker. School began each year on
  the 24th of March. School was not free, so the
  poor could not get educated

14
Roman Eating Habits

• The family ate together around a table, sitting
  on stools. Fingers were used to take food.
• Consuming alcoholic beverages by men were
  socially accepted however, women were not
  expected to consume drinks.
• The patrician aristocracy had elaborate dinners
  with a variety of wines. They even had dancing
  girls to entertain them while the women and
  children ate seperately.

15
(No Transcript)
16
Architecture and facilities

• The architectural style of ancient Rome was
  emulated by other urban centers Amphitheatere,
  Verona, Italy Arch of Hadrian, Athens, Greece
  Temple of Hadrian, Ephesos, Turkey.
• Roman cities were well planned, efficiently
  managed, and neatly maintained.

17
(No Transcript)
18
(No Transcript)
19
(No Transcript)
20
Roman Economy

• Romes economy remained focused on agriculture
  and trade. Cereals, olives, and grapes were main
  agricultural produce, and olive oil and wine were
  the main exports.
• When Rome annexed Egypt, Sicily, and Tunisia, a
  continuous supply of grain was produced.
• Industrial and manufacturing activities consisted
  of mining and quarrying stones, which provided
  for the magnificent monuments built that period.
• The economy was largely dependent on slave labor
  and slaves constituted for about 20 percent of
  the population. These slaves were highly skilled
  and acted as singers, jewelers, scribes,
  bartenders, and even doctors.
• Rome had a very developed coinage system
  consisting of brass, bronze, copper, silver, and
  gold.

21
Roman Coins
22
(No Transcript)
23
Sports and Entertainment

• Rome had a place called the Campus, where track
  and field was played.
• Youth also assembled here to play and exercise,
  which included jumping, wrestling, boxing, and
  racing. Females were not allowed to participate
  in these activities.
• Board games played during this period included
  Dice, Roman Chess, Roman Checkers, and
  Tic-tac-toe.

24
Conclusion

• Ancient Rome had many contributions to todays
  architectural and legislative living. To further
  research the culture of Rome, visit
  www.crystalinks.come/romeculture

25
Popular Pieces of Art
26
Rome in Ruins
27
Head of Augustus
28
Earrings
29
Column of Trajan
30
Column of Trajan
31
The End