culture and society in rome

8/14/2019 Culture and Society in Rome

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Global Studies I


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Roman Art and

ArchitectureRomans adopted many

features of Greek artand architecture

Greek StatuesIdeal beauty and

appearance

Greek Architecture

Colonnades,rectangular buildings


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Roman Art and

ArchitectureRoman StatuesRomans produced

realistic statues

Roman ArchitectureColonnades,

rectangular buildingsCurved lines: arch,

vault, domeConcreteroads, bridges,

aqueducts


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Roman LiteratureAugustan Age was

the golden age ofLatin literature

Virgil

Poet, wrote theAeneidin honor ofRome Hero: Aeneas is the

ideal Roman

Virtues: duty, piety,and faithfulness


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Roman LiteratureHorace

poet

enjoyed pointing outthe follies and vicesof his age.

laughs at theweaknesses of

humansSatires attacks job

dissatisfaction andgreed


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Roman LiteratureLivy

historian

History of Rome

saw history in termsof moral lessons

celebrated Romesgreatness

weakness: Not always concerned

about getting thewhole truth


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The Roman FamilyHeaded by the

paterfamilias dominant male

Included wife, sons withtheir wives andchildren, unmarrieddaughters, and slaves

Roman children were

raised in the homeUpper-class children

(boys and girls) wereexpected to beeducated


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The Roman FamilyAttitudes toward women

Had a male guardian (untillate 2nd century)

Arranged marriages

(usually around age 14)Divorce was acceptable

and could be obtained forany reason

Upper-class women hadconsiderable freedom and

independence


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SlaveryCommon throughout theancient worldPOWs brought back to

Italy as slaves

Greek slaves served astutors, musicians,doctors, and artists, shopassistants andcraftspeople

Others worked in Romanhouseholds, built roadsand public buildingsliving conditions were

pitiful


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SlaverySlave revolts

73 BC, most famous

Led by gladiator,Spartacus Involved 70,000 slaves

Defeated severalRoman armies before

being trapped andkilled in 71BC

6000 followers werecrucified (put to deathby hanging on a cross)


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Daily Life in the City of

RomeLiving Conditions

Overcrowded and noisy

Dangerous

Rich lived in villas, poorlived in weaklyconstructed apartmentblocks called insulae Constant threat of fire

Entire families lived in oneroom due to ridiculously highrents


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Daily Life in the City of

RomePublic Programs

Serious problems

Emperors providedfree grain for poor

Entertainment wasprovided to distractRomans from worries

of the day Circus Maximus

Dramatic performances

Gladiatorial shows


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Bread and CircusesWhat is meant by the following quote by the

Roman poet Juvenal?

Nowadays, with no votetheir motto isCouldnt care less. Time was when their voteelected generals, heads of state, commandersof legions: but nowtheres only two thingsthat concern them: Bread and Circuses.

culture and society in rome

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