group compilation
TRANSCRIPT
THE ROMAN EMPIRE MEMBERS:
TAN WING HOE (L)
TOH KEAN HOU
LUM SI CHU
TAN KAH JUN
ALAN KOO KA LOK
LEE PUI SAN
BEH NIANZI
SAW HWEI YING
JOYCE WEE YI QIN
Contents
Assignment Brief
Research
i. Movies and Characters
“Julius Caesar”
“Gladiator”
ii. Cultures and Traditions
“Dies Lustricus”
“Poena Cullei
“Traditional clothing”
iii. Myths
“Aenas”
“Romulus and Remus”
iv. Social Strata
v. Architecture
vi. Summary
Sketch
i. Plot Summary
ii. Script
iii. Key Frames
Costumes
i. Idea drawings
ii. Actual Costume
Reference
Research
i. Movies and Characters
“Julius Caesar”
Julius Caesar is a remake of the William Shakespeare classic
tale of the betrayal of the Roman senate against their
emperor, the plotting and scheming that led up to the
assassination of the title character, and all of Rome’s'
fickleness towards the events. It contains very detailed
scenes on plotting the assassination of Julius Caesar, which is
one of the important events in the rise of the Roman Empire.
Who was involved in the assassination?
The assassination involved 60+ senators, including Servillius
Casca, Cassius Longinus and Marcus Brutus.
Why did it happen?
Caesar's reforms greatly enhanced his standing with Rome's
lower- and middle-class populations. But his popularity with
the Senate was another matter. Envy and concern over
Caesar's increasing power led to angst among a number of
politicians who saw in him an aspiring king. History had
shown that Romans had no desire for monarchical rule.
Legend had it that by the time Caesar came to power it
had been five centuries since they'd last allowed a king to
rule them.
How did it happen?
Julius’ friends tried to stop him from attending the senatorial meeting His wife, Calpurnia, especially,
who was frightened by some v isions in her dreams, clung to him and said that she would not let him
go out that day. But Brutus, one of the conspirators who were then thought of as a firm friend,
persuaded him to ignore the apprehensions.
In the Senate hall, Julius Caesar was surrounded by the conspirators. The chaos started when Tillius
Cimber grabbed Julius’ toga. Serv illius Casca made the first stab but missed the other conspirators
then started stabbing him using daggers. There was a total of 32 wounds all over his body with 1
fatal wound on his chest.
What happened after his death?
Two years after his death, he became the first Roman figure to be deified. The senate also gave
him the title "The Div ine Julius".
After his death, his great-grand nephew, Gaius Octavian (later known as Augustus Caesar),
assembled an army to fight back the military troops defending Cassius and Brutus
Movie: “Gladiator”
Maximus is a powerful Roman general, loved by the people
and the aging Emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Before his death,
the Emperor chooses Maximus to be his heir over his own son,
Commodus, and a power struggle leaves Maximus and his
family condemned to death. The powerful general is unable
to save his family, and his loss of will allows him to get
captured and put into the Gladiator games until he dies. The
only desire that fuels him now is the chance to rise to the top
so that he will be able to look into the eyes of the man who
will feel his revenge.
What was Maximus really like?
Maximus Decimus Meridius is a fictitious character!
Although he did not exist, he seems to be a composite of
actual historical figures. In the film, Maximus was Marcus
Aurelius' general. There was in fact a general by the name of
Avidius Cassius, who was involved in the military campaign
shown in the film, and, upon hearing a rumor of Marcus
Aurelius' death, declared himself emperor. He however, was
assassinated by his own soldiers. It is true that there was, in
the later Empire, a General by the name of Maximus who
appears to have had revolutionary intentions. He is most likely an inspiration as well.
Maximus also reminds one of the emperor Diocletian. Remember that in the film, Marcus Aurel ius
names Maximus as his heir. Diocletian, who ruled Rome from 284 to 305 CE, was born in the lower
classes, like Maximus. He eventually became his emperor's trusted favourite and bodyguard, and
later became a general. Finally he was named heir, and thus became emperor.
Commodus, in reality, was not murdered in the arena by Maximus. He was however murdered by a
wrestler. So the character Maximus, while fictitious, is not that far-fetched. He appears to be
collage of other, real, historical figures.
As for his personality, he was definitely a stoic, as ev idenced by his sense of obligation to the state,
and concern for duty and v irtue. This makes sense, given his admiration for Marcus Aurelius, who
was a stoic philosopher. One difficulty is, even though many Romans (and not just Christians)
believed in an afterlife, stoics usually did not. So this is problematic with regards to his character in
the film.
Gladiatorial Oath
In the sacramentum gladiatorium 'oath of the gladiator' the potential gladiator, slave or hitherto
free man, said "I will endure to be burned, to be bound, to be beaten, and to be killed by the
sword" uri, v inciri, verberari, ferroque necari. This oath bound him so that he was no longer truly free.
10 Facts about Gladiators
1. They weren’t always slaves
2. Gladiatorial bouts were originally part of funeral ceremonies
3. They didn’t always fight to the death
4. The famous ‘thumbs down’ gesture probably didn’t mean death.
5. They were organized into different classes and types.
6. They rarely fought against animals.
7. Women also fought as gladiators.
8. Some gladiators organized themselves into trade unions.
9. Several Roman emperors participated in staged gladiatorial bouts
10. Gladiators often became celebrities and sex symbols.
**Many Roman gladiators were a little on the husky side. Fighters trained their bodies to the limit,
but their carbohydrate-rich diet of barley porridge often saw them pack on fat around their
midsection. This extra flab had a practical purpose, since it helped absorb superficial wounds and
protected the gladiator’s v ital organs from injury**
Important characters involved.
Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar was born in Rome on 12 or 13 July 100 BC into the prestigious Julian clan. His family
were closely connected with the Marian faction in Roman pol itics. Caesar himself progressed
within the Roman political system, becoming in succession quaestor (69), aedile (65) and praetor
(62). In 61-60 BC he served as governor of the Roman province of Spain. Back in Rome in 60,
Caesar made a pact with Pompey and Crassus, who helped him to get elected as consul for 59
BC. The following year he was appointed governor of Roman Gaul where he stayed for eight years,
adding the whole of modern France and Belgium to the Roman empire, and making Rome safe
from the possibility of Gallic invasions. He made two expeditions to Britain, in 55 BC and 54 BC.
Caesar then returned to Italy, disregarding the authority of the senate and famously crossing the
Rubicon river without disbanding his army. In the ensuing civ il war Caesar defeated the republican
forces. Pompey, their leader, fled to Egypt where he was assassinated. Caesar followed him and
became romantically involved with the Egyptian queen, Cleopatra.
Caesar was now master of Rome and made himself consul and dictator. He used his power to
carry out much-needed reform, reliev ing debt, enlarging the senate, building the Forum Iulium and
rev ising the calendar. Dictatorship was always regarded a temporary position but in 44 BC, Caesar
took it for life. His success and ambition alienated strongly republican senators. A group of 60, led
by Cassius and Brutus, assassinated Caesar on the Ides (15) of March 44 BC. This sparked the final
round of civ il wars that ended the Republic and brought about the elevation of Caesar's great
nephew and designated heir, Octavian, as Augustus, the first emperor.
Calpurnia
Calpurnia married Caesar in late 59 BC. Contemporary sources describe her as a humble, often
shy woman. No children resulted from their union. Julia, Caesar's daughter by his first wife, Cornelia,
was likely older than her stepmother, and married Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus around the same
time. Following Caesar's death in 44 BC, Calpurnia delivered all Caesar's personal papers, including
his will and notes, and his most precious possessions to the consul Marcus Antonius, one of Caesar's
most trusted allies. She never remarried.
According to a tradition reported in some ancient sources, Calpurnia had a premonition about her
husband's murder, and endeavoured in vain to warn him. Unaware that he was one of the
conspirators against her husband, she also asked the praetor Decimus Junius Brutus Albinus to send
word to the senate that Caesar was ill and unable to attend. However, Caesar rejected this plan,
and Brutus escorted him into the hands of his enemies.
Marcus Brutus
Marcus Junius Brutus, also called Quintus Caepio Brutus (born 85 B.C.—died 42 B.C., near Philippi,
Macedonia), Roman politician, one of the leaders in the conspiracy that assassinated Julius
Caesar in 44 bc. Brutus was the son of Marcus Junius Brutus (who was treacherously killed by
Pompey the Great in 77) and Serv ilia (who later became Caesar’s lover). After his adoption by an
uncle, Quintus Serv ilius Caepio, he was commonly called Quintus Caepio Brutus.
Porcia
Porcia was the daughter of Marcus Porcius Cato Uticencis and his first wife Atilia. She is best known
for being the second wife of Marcus Junius Brutus, the most famous of Julius Caesar's assassins, and
for her suicide, reputedly by swallowing live coals.
Cassius
Gaius Cassius Longinus (before 85 BC – October 42 BC) was a Roman senator, a leading instigator
of the plot to kill Julius Caesar,[1] and the brother in-law of Marcus Junius Brutus.
Casca
Publius Serv ilius Casca Longus, Roman tribune in 43 B.C., is the name of the assassin who first struck
Julius Caesar on the Ides of March, in 44 B.C. The symbol to strike came when Lucius Tilius Cimber
grabbed Caesar's toga and pulled it from his neck. A nervous Casca then stabbed the dictator,
but only managed to graze him around the neck or shoulder.
Marc Anthony
Marcus Antonius (Mark Antony) was born in Rome in 83 B.C. He was related on his mother's side to
Julius Caesar. He was from a prominent noble family and served under Caesar in Gaul (53-50 B.C.).
He was a main rival of Octavian, Caesar’s adopted son and legal heir. He was reluctant to pass on
Caesar’s legacy to a 17 y-o.
Soon after, Antony formed a second Triumvirate with Octavian and Lepidus to jointly rule the
territories. Antony was given charge on the east and that was which he started a romantic affair
with Cleopatra. Antony ended his own life when he was told that Cleopatra was dead, both of
them ended up with a suicidal death.
Augustus Caesar
Augustus Caesar of Rome was born with the given name Gaius Octavius on September 23, 63 B.C.
He took the name Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus (Octavian) in 44 B.C. after the murder of his
great uncle, Julius Caesar. In his will Caesar had adopted Octavian and made him his heir.
Octavian was a shrewd, brilliant and astute politician. Through cold, hard political calculation he
was able to achieve ultimate power in Rome. At the time of Caesar’s assassination, Octavian held
no official position. Only after he marched on Rome and forced the senate to name him consul,
was he established as a power to be reckoned with.
Research
ii. Traditions and cultures
Dies Lustricus (Day of Purification)
Dies Lustricus is a ceremony on the eighth or ninth day after the birth of a
newborn. It carries a special meaning for the newborn. Back then, a large
percentage of children didn’t make it past one week due to the
healthcare and technology. Thus, a child is not officially part of the family
until dies lustricus passed. It is a norm that babies that dies within the week
is buried without a name.
On the dies lustricus, relatives, friends, and even slaves offered small metal and clay charms that
were strung together and worn around the neck. These playthings, collectively known as
crepundia, entertained the baby with their rattling and jingling and warded off ev il spirits lurking
near the child. Furthermore on this day, the child was exposed to a succession of ritual dangers
designed to demonstrate the child’s fitness for acceptance into a Roman family. And finally, the
dies lustricus marked the occasion on which an infant received his bulla and name.
What is a crepundia?
Tiny metal trinkets strung around the baby’s neck like a rattle presented as gifts by the guests at the
lustratio.
What is a bulla?
A bulla is a metallic locket with charms to ward off ev il spirits from the newborn. It is a good luck
charm that is worn by children throughout their childhood. The children’s names are often carved
on their bulla.
[1] [2] [3]
[1] crepundia; [2] bulla; [3] Dies Lustricus
Poena Cullei (Punishment of the Sack)
Poena Cullei is a Roman capital punishment imposed for parricide: the
culprit was drowned in a leather sack together with a cock, a dog, a
serpent, and a monkey
What is parricide?
The act of killing one's father (patricide), or less usually mother
(matricide) or other close relative, but usually not children (infanticide).
The act of killing a person (such as the ruler of one's country) who
stands in a relationship resembling that of a father.
How was Poena Cullei practiced?
The guilty one’s head muffled in a wolf-skin, his feet thrust into wooden shoes. He is whipped until
bleeding profusely, tied up in a sack with a dog, a cock, a v iper and a monkey, dragged by black
oxen to a body of water and thrown there to drown. Or let wild animals tear him apart. Or burn
him.
Traditional Clothing
Men
Roman men generally wore two garments, the tunica and the toga.
Tunica is a short woolen under garment with short sleeves. Tunics are worn by the people when
they’re within the comforts of their homes. The tunic worn by patrician men was made by white
wool while the poor wears whatever fabric was readily available.
Similar to the toga, distinct tunics were worn to signify one’s tit le. The length of the garment, the
presence or lack of stripes, as well as their width and ornamentation, would indicate the
wearer's status in Roman society. In addition, a belt would be worn around the waist of the
tunica to hold the waist of the garment snug, giv ing the impression of a two piece garment
Toga is a distinct Roman garment that only actual citizens are allowed to wear. Its
distinct purpose was to indicate peaceful endeavors, as opposed to the sagum
cloak, worn during times of war. The toga is a large cumbersome robe like
garment of white wool and used up to 9 yards of material.
Being such a bulky and uncomfortable article of clothing, it became customary in
later times to wear it only on state occasions. All togas are not the same and each
distinctive type could mark a Roman’s societal status or tit le.
Women
The stola was a dress worn over the tunic by Roman matrons (married women). It came as
low as the ankles or feet and was fastened round the body by a girdle with broad folds
above the breast. The essential distinction between the tunic and the stola seems to have
been that the latter always had an Instita or flounce sewed to the bottom and reaching to
the instep. The stola seems to have been usually fastened over the shoulder by a Fibula or
clasp, and generally had sleeves.
Palla is a traditional ancient Roman mantle worn by women, fastened by
brooches. It was similar to the pallium that a man would wear. The shape was
rectangular instead of semi-circular as with the traditional toga. The Palla was
similar to a shawl that a woman of today would wear. The palla would come in
many colors some including blue, green, and yellow.
The palla is a single piece of material draped over the shoulders and around the
body or over the head as well.
How to wear a toga (men)?
How to wear a toga (women)?
Thumb Signal
The Latin phrase pollice v erso is used in the context of gladiatorial
combat for a hand gesture used by Ancient Roman crowds to pass
judgment on a defeated gladiator. However, the precise type of
gesture described by the phrase pollice v erso and its meaning are
unclear in the historical and literary record.
In modern popular culture, it is assumed that "thumbs down" was the
signal that a defeated gladiator should be condemned to death;
"thumbs up", that he should be spared. The latter view was
popularized by a widely reproduced painting by the 19th-century
artist Jean-Léon Gérôme, whose Pollice Verso (usually known in English as "Thumbs Down") depicts a triumphant
gladiator looking up into the stands for the v erdict of the crowd.
Bathing Culture
Of all the leisure activ ities, bathing was surely the most important for
the greatest number of Romans, since it was part of the daily
regimen for men of all classes, and many women as well. We think
of bathing as a very private activity conducted in the home, but
bathing in Rome was a communal activ ity, conducted for the most
part in public facilit ies that in some ways resembled modern spas or
health clubs.
Although wealthy Romans might set up a bath in their town houses
or especially in their country v illas, heating a series of rooms or even
a separate building especially for this purpose, even they often frequented the numerous public
bathhouses in the cities and towns throughout the empire. Small bathhouses, called balneae,
might be privately owned, but they were public in the sense that they were open to the populace
for a fee, which was usually quite reasonable. The large baths, called thermae, were owned by the
state and often covered several city blocks. Fees for both types of baths were quite reasonable,
within the budget of most free Roman males. Since the Roman workday began at sunrise, work
was usually over at little after noon. About 2:00-3:00 pm, men would go to the baths and plan to
stay for several hours of sport, bathing, and conversation, after which t hey would be ready for a
relaxing dinner. Republican bathhouses often had separate bathing facilit ies for women and men,
but by the empire the custom was to open the bathhouses to women during the early part of the
day and reserve it for men from 2:00 pm until closing time (usually sundown, though we
occasionally hear of a bath being used at night). For example, one contract for the management
of a prov incial bath specified that the facility would be open to women from daybreak until about
noon, and to men from about 2:00 pm until sunset; although the women got the less desirable
hours, their fee was twice as high as the men's, 1 as (a copper coin) for a woman and ½ as for a
man. Mixed bathing was generally frowned upon, although the fact that various emperors
repeatedly forbade it seems to indicate that the prohibitions did not always work. Certainly women
who were concerned about their respectability did not frequent the baths when the men were
there, but of course the baths were an excellent place for prostitutes to ply their trade.
Research
iii. Myths
Aeneas
The national epic of Rome, the Aeneid of Virgil, tells the story of how
the Trojan prince Aeneas came to Italy. The Aeneid was written
under Augustus, who claimed ancestry through Julius Caesar from
the hero and his mother Venus.
According to the Aeneid, the surv ivors from the fallen city of Troy
banded together under Aeneas, underwent a series of adventures
around the Mediterranean Sea, including a stop at newly founded
Carthage under the rule of Queen Dido, and eventually reached
the Italian coast.
The Trojans were thought to have landed in an area between modern Anzio and Fiumicino,
southwest of Rome: probably at Laurentum, or in other versions, at Lavinium, a place named for
Lavinia, the daughter of King Latinus, whom Aeneas married.
Through a series of armed conflicts, the Trojans won the right to stay and to assimilate with the local
peoples. The young son of Aeneas, Ascanius, also known as Iulus, went on to found Alba Longa
and the line of Alban kings who filled the chronological gap between the Trojan saga and the
traditional founding of Rome in the 8th century BC.
Toward the end of this line, King Procas was the father of Numitor and Amulius. At Procas' death,
Numitor became king of Alba Longa, but Amulius captured him and sent him to prison; he also
forced the daughter of Numitor, Rhea Silvia, to become a v irgin priestess among the Vestals. For
many years Amulius was then the king. The tortuous nature of the chronology is indicated by Rhea
Silvia's ordination among the Vestals, whose order was traditionally said to have been founded by
the successor of Romulus, Numa Pompilius
Romulus and Remus
The icon of Rome's foundation, a life-size bronze statue of a she-wolf with
two human infants suckling her, is about 1,700 years younger than its city,
Rome's officials admitted on Saturday. The official announcement, made
at the Capitoline Museums, where the 30 inch-high bronze is the
centerpiece of a dedicated room, quashes the belief that the sculpture
was adopted by the earliest Romans as a symbol for their city.
Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome. Traditionally, they
were the sons of Rhea Silvia, daughter of Numitor, king of Alba Longa.
Numitor had been deposed by his younger brother Amulius, who forced Rhea to become one of
the Vestal Virgins (and thereby vow chastity) in order to prevent her from giv ing birth to potential
claimants to the throne. Nevertheless, Rhea bore the twins Romulus and Remus, fathered by the
war god Mars. Amulius ordered the infants drowned in the Tiber River, but the trough in which they
were placed floated down the river and came to rest at the site of the future Rome, near the Ficus
ruminalis, a sacred fig tree of historical times. There a she-wolf and a woodpecker—both sacred to
Mars—suckled and fed them until they were found by the herdsman Faustulus.
Reared by Faustulus and his wife, Acca Larentia, the twins became leaders of a band of
adventurous youths, eventually killing Amulius and restoring their grandfather to the throne. They
subsequently founded a town on the site where they had been saved. When Romulus built a city
wall, Remus jumped over it and was killed by his brother.
Romulus consolidated his power, and the city was named for him. He increased its population by
offering asylum to fugitives and exiles. He inv ited the neighboring Sabines to a festival and
abducted their women. The women married their captors and intervened to prevent the Sabines
from seizing the city. In accordance with a treaty drawn up between the two peoples, Romulus
accepted the Sabine king Titus Tatius as his coruler. Titus Tatius’s early death left Romulus sole king
again, and after a long rule he mysteriously disappeared in a storm. Believ ing that he had been
changed into a god, the Romans worshiped him as the deity Quirinus.
Research
iv . Social strata
King
The king was the head of the people,
chief priest, leader in war, and the
judge whose sentence couldn't be
appealed. He convened the Senate.
He was accompanied by 12 lictors
who carried a bundle of rods with a
symbolic death-wielding axe in the
center of the bundle (the fasces).
However much power the king had,
he could be kicked out. After the
expulsion of the last of the Tarquin
kings, the 7 kings of Rome were
remembered with such hatred that
there were never again kings in Rome.
Patrician
The patricians were the upper class of Rome. Two Latin terms are used to designate them,
patres and patricii. Where exactly they come from is not known, but many people have
theorized about it and repeated what traditions claim. Here you'll read about a few of
these ideas.
Patricians may have originally been relatives of the patres 'fathers', the heads of the
families of the old tribes of Rome. Patres could refer to members of the senate, since
during the Republic, the senators were referred to as patres et conscripti 'conscript (and)
fathers,' whether or not they were patricians.
On the other hand, Patres sometimes referred not to the senate but to patricians.
Staveley says that traditionalists have no sense of confusion. "For them the original Senate
of Romulus, which derived its collective title patres from the fact of its being an assembly of
patres familiae, was itself all-patrician." The plebeian element of the Senate was found in
the conscripti, as distinct from the patres. Patres et conscripti may have later been used to
distinguish the senators created in the regal period from ones added later or it may have
distinguished hereditary senators from non-hereditary ones in the Regal period. However,
the term patricii also designates the hereditary senators.
Equestrian
Equites were Roman horsemen or knights. The name is derived from the Latin for horse,
equus. The equites came to be a social class. A single member of the equestrian class was
called an eques.
An eques was bound to a certain number of campaigns, but no more than ten. Upon
completion they entered the first class.
When an eques was deemed unworthy, he was told to sell his horse (vende equum). When
no disgrace was involved, someone no longer fit would be told to lead his horse on. There
was a waiting list to replace the dismissed eques.
Plebeian
The term plebeian is synonymous with lower class. In early Rome, the plebeians (also
known simply as plebs) may have been that part of the Roman population whose origin
was among the conquered Latins (as opposed to the Roman conquerors). Plebeians were
contrasted with the patrician nobility. In the period of the early Roman Republic,
membership in the Senate may have been denied to the plebeians, and restricted to the
patricians. Since the ruling body of the Senate was more interested in itself than others, the
plebeians suffered. Over time the plebeians were able to amass wealth and great power.
By the time of Caesar, the patrician Claudius chose to become a plebeian (something he
could do through adoption) in order to hold an important political office, the Tribune of
the Plebs.
Proletariat
In contrast with the plebeians, who started as the poor, but wound up with power and
money, and the noble patricians, who started out with land and continued to hold certain
aristocratic privileges, the landless proletariat was the lowest class of citizens in ancient
Rome. It was for the proletariat that the Romans instituted the dole that we commonly
hear called "bread and circuses." By bread and circuses is meant public entertainment in
the arena (circuses) and a ration of grain (bread). The first part of the word proletariat
contains the Latin word proles, which means offspring. The proletariats were "producers of
offspring."
Freeman
Rome differed from Greek city-states in allowing freed slaves to become citizens. The act
of freeing a slave was called manumissio, from manus, "hand" (in the sense of holding or
possessing something), and missio, the act of releasing. After manumission, a slave who
had belonged to a Roman citizen enjoyed not only passive freedom from ownership, but
active political freedom (libertas), including the right to vote.[1] A slave who had acquired
libertas was thus a libertus ("freed person," feminine liberta) in relation to his former master,
who then became his patron (patronus).
Slaves
They were people who were frequently captured in battle and sent back to Rome to be
sold. However, abandoned children could also be brought up as slaves. The law also
stated that fathers could sell their older children if they were in need of money.
Once bought, a slave was a slave for life. A slave could only get their freedom if they were
given it by their owner or if they bought their freedom. To buy your freedom, you had to
raise the same sum of money that your master had paid for you – a v irtually impossible task.
If a slave is married and had children, the children would automatically become slaves.
Young children were sometimes killed by their parents rather than let them become slaves.
A slave’s day began at daybreak. If his master lived in a cold climate, the first job of the
day for a day would be to fire up the hypocaust. When his master awoke, a slave would
be expected to assist dressing him. When the day properly began, a whole group of slaves
started set tasks, such as walking children to school, cleaning a v illa, washing clothes,
t idying a garden etc. A group of slaves would work in a kitchen preparing the day’s meals.
When a rich man and his family bathed at home, slaves would help out by drying them
once they had finished and dressing them. When a master moved around, slaves would
carry him in a litter. When a master entertained, slaves would ensure a constant supply of
food and drink. If guests had to return home and it was dark, a slave or slaves would walk
ahead of them with a lighted torch.
Research
v . Architecture
One of the things the Romans are most famous for is their architecture. The Romans
brought a lot of new ideas to architecture, of which the three most important are the arch,
the baked brick, and the use of cement and concrete.
Bath house
Baths for bathing and relaxing were a common feature of Roman
cities throughout the empire. The often huge bath complexes
included a wide diversity of rooms offering different temperatures
and facilit ies such as swimming pools and places to read, relax, and
socialise. Roman baths, with their need for large open spaces, were
also important drivers in the evolution of architecture offering the
first dome structures in Classical architecture.
Typical elements of a roman bath
Apodyterium: Changing rooms.
Palaestrae: Exercise rooms.
Notatio: Open-air swimming pool.
Laconica and sudatoria: Superheated dry and wet sweating-rooms.
Calidarium: Hot room, heated and with a hot-water pool and a separate basin on a stand
(labrum)
Tepidarium: Warm room, indirectly heated and with a tepid pool.
Frigidarium: Cool room, unheated and with a cold-water basin, often monumental in size
and domed, it was the heart of the baths complex.
Rooms for massage and other health treatments.
**Additional facilit ies could include cold-water plunge baths, private baths, toilets, libraries, lecture
halls, fountains, and outdoor gardens.
Heating System
The first baths seem to have lacked a high degree of planning and were often unsightly
assemblages of diverse structures. However, by the 1st century CE the baths became beautifully
symmetrical and harmonious structures, often set in gardens and parks. Early baths were heated
using braziers, but from the 1st century BCE more sophisticated heating systems were used such as
under-floor (hypocaust) heating fuelled by wood-burning furnaces (prafurniae). This was not a new
idea as Greek baths also employed such a system but, as was
typical of the Romans, they took an idea and improved upon it for
maximum efficiency. The huge fires from the furnaces sent warm air
under the raised floor (suspensurae) which stood on narrow pillars
(pilae) of solid stone, hollow cylinders, or polygonal or circular bricks.
The floors were paved over with 60 cm square tiles (bipedales) which
were then covered in decorative mosaics.
Walls could also prov ide heating with the insertion of hollow
rectangular tubes (tubuli) which carried the hot air prov ided by the furnaces. In addition, special
bricks (tegulae mammatae) had bosses at the corners of one side which trapped hot air and
increased insulat ion against heat loss. The use of glass for windows from the 1st century CE also
permitted a better regulation of temperatures and allowed the sun to add its own heat to the
room.
The vast amount of water needed for the larger baths was supplied by purpose built aqueducts
and regulated by huge reservoirs in the baths complex. The reservoir of the Baths of Diocletian in
Rome, for example, could hold 20,000 m³ of water. Water was heated in large lead boilers fitted
over the furnaces. The water could be added (v ia lead pipes) to the heated pools by using a
bronze half-cylinder (testudo) connected to the boilers. Once released into the pool the hot water
circulated by convection.
Influence in Architecture
Baths and the need to create large airy rooms with lofty ceilings brought the development of the
architectural dome. The earliest surv iving dome in Roman architecture is from the frigidarium of the
Stabian Baths at Pompeii, which dates to the 2nd century BCE. The development of concrete in
the form of stiff mortared rubble allowed unsupported walls to be built ever wider apart, as did
hollow brick barrel vaults supported by buttress arches and the use of iron tie bars. These features
would become widely used in other public buildings and especially in large constructions such as
basilicae. Even in modern times Roman baths have continued to influence designers, for example,
both the Chicago Railroad Station and the Pennsylvania Station in New York have perfectly
copied the architecture of the great frigidarium of the Baths of Caracalla.
Research
vi. Summary
In the plot, we will include the dictatorship of Julius Caesar that led to the disagreement of
his senators and subsequently inv ited the death of Julius Caesar during the assassination.
Focus will be given on pre- and post-assassination as it is the chosen timeline of research.
Thus, Julius Caesar’s heir and Rome’s condition after his rule is also included in the plot.
Several Roman cultures amd traditions will also be included in the plot which includes Dies
Lustricus during Caesar’s birth and also Poena Cullei (Punishment of the Sack) towards
some of the conspirators after the assassination. Additionally, bath cultures will also be
added into the plot as it is one of the daily activ ities of the ancient Romans
Most of the characters will be dressed in togas or armors as it is the basic formal wear
during that time. There will only be one female character in this plot, which will be Porcia
Catonis. She is the wife of Marcus Brutus and the only woman that knew about the plot of
the assassination beforehand.
All in all, the plot will be ranging from when Julius is born until the death of Augustus Caesar,
aka Octavian.
Sketch
i. Plot Summary
Julius Caesar was born in 100 B.C., Dies Lustricus is celebrated to welcome him to his family officially. Julius
Caesar grew up as a successful orator, politician and general. He expanded the Roman map greatly and
did a number of contributions towards the Roman society. His power grew and soon he started a
dictatorship in Rome which led to the actions of the conspirators.
In 44 BC, Julius Caesar returns to Rome in triumph, having defeated the sons of his archenemy, Pompey the
Great. A Soothsayer warns him of the possibility of trouble and to "beware the Ides of March." Caesar
ignores him and proceeds to enjoy his triumph.
Conspirators (which include Cassius and Casca ), are envious of Caesar's popularity and begin to plot
against him. They enlist Caesar's good friend, Marcus Brutus, as a member of their group. The conspirators believe he can easily be swayed to join them by convincing him that Caesar is a threat to the good of
Rome and Cassius begins to plants seeds of doubt in Brutus by telling him stories that portray Caesar as
being weak and vulnerable. Brutus feels he has a moral obligation to protect Rome against such leadership
and after much deliberation, decides it would be in the best interests of Rome if Caesar were to be killed before problems have time to develop.
Brutus is disturbed by the plan. Portia sensed something but Brutus is reluctant to tell her his plans. Portia felt
distrusted and wounded herself on the thigh to show her loyalty to her spouse. She endured the pain of the unattended wound for days. Finally, Brutus told her the plan, she was the only woman that was aware of
the plan
Aides to Caesar try to convince him that there are conspirators plotting to kill him. Caesar refuses to listen,
believ ing himself to be invulnerable. He proceeds to the Senate House, where his "friends" surround him and
stab him to death. Brutus delivers the final blow. When he is recognized by his dying friend, Caesar utters in
total disbelief the famous phrase, "Et tu, Brute?" (And you too, Brutus?)
Caesar’s body was prepared for the burial. The roman burial rituals and preparations were followed strictly.
At Caesar's funeral, Brutus tells the citizens that Caesar has been killed because his ambition was a threat to
their liberties and based upon their approving reaction makes way for Antony to give his eulogy. Antony
convinces the crowd to turn against the conspirators, reminding them of Caesar's goodness and telling them Caesar left them each a sizeable inheritance. The army of conspirators has to flee the city in order to
escape the wrath of the mob.
Antony allies himself with Caesar's heir, Octavius, and with Aemilius Lepidus. The three men declare
themselves the Second Triumvirate of Rome and propose to jointly rule in the wake of Caesar's reign.
Almost immediately, they try to out-maneuver one another to gain more power. They also declare a civ il
war against Brutus, Cassius, and the conspirators. Further manipulation and bloodshed ensue, but in the
end, Caesars murder is avenged and order is restored to Rome.
Soon after, Octavian became the first emperor of Rome with the name Emperor Augustus.
ii. Script
ACT 1: EARLY LIFE OF JULIUS CAESAR
Scene 1: Day of Purification of Julius Caesar
Synopsis: The 8th day purification ritual after the birth of Julius Caesar
On the 9th day after the baby was born, Dies Lustricus is celebrated with joy in the family of Caesar.
Slav e: What a beautiful baby! Here’s a clay charm for your crepundia. May it ward off the ev il spirits around
you.
Pope: [Carries baby out from the cot and placed him on his father’s feet]
Father: [Lifts baby from his feet] JULIUS CAESAR SHALL HE BE NAMED!
Pope: On this blessed day shall we welcome a baby boy, Julius to the Caesar’s. May he grow up with health
and peace to become a strong man! [Wears a bulla on the baby]
******END OF SCENE******
Scene 2: Julius Caesar the Dictator
Synopsis: Changes made by Julius Caesar.
At a young age, Julius Caesar was inv olved in the Roman military. He then began his career as a lawyer at the age of 22
because of his fluency in speech. He was eventually elected as consul which was a point of time when his power started
to grow.
During his years of gov erning Rome, he made changes that are still used until present times. For example:
Peasant 1: What day is today?
Peasant 2: 45th day of July
Peasant 1: Are you still using the old calendar? It has been changed, don’t you know?
Peasant 2: Oh really? Do you have a copy of it?
Peasant 1: Of course, Let me search for it.. There! For the new calendar, there are only 12 months in a year and
30 days in a month. It’s actually according to the constellation.
Peasant 2: Oh I see… This must be one of the changes done by General Caesar.
Peasant 1: [Nods head]
Meanwhile in Caesar’s residence,
Brutus: Welcome home The Great General! Another land conquered. Have I ever told you that you NEVER LOSE
A WAR?
JC: Thanks for the welcome Brutus. How was the state while I’m away?
Brutus: Well ev erything went well; we made the changes you requested on the law and enforcement. The
people were happy with it.
JC: They should be happy. Justice will be serv ed with those changes; the Romans will liv e a better life.
Brutus: All thanks to you!
Julius Caesar’s power increased day by day. His great power then, eventually, led to his death…
******End of Scene******
ACT 2: ASSASINATION OF JULIUS CAESAR
Scene 1: Alliance between Casca, Cassius and Brutus.
Synopsis: Casca and Cassius convinced Brutus( a close friend of JC to join their plan to assassinate JC.
Setting: Bath house
Just as any other Romans, Brutus was cleaning himself in the bath house after a long days work. He was enjoying his bath
whilst singing his fav orite song. *Singing in the shower~*. Suddenly, there were unwanted guests in his priv ate cubicle. He
felt insecure.
Cassius and Casca: Greetings Brutus.
Brutus: Oh what a “pleasant surprise”
Cassius: Pleasant indeed. In fact, we have plotted something interesting and would like you to lead us.
Brutus: I hav e nothing to do with all your ev il plans. Leave this place before I call the guards.
Casca: Why the hassle? Don’t you think Julius had been too dominant? Don’t you feel annoyed when he
bosses around everything? Don’t you feel like getting rid of him once and for all?
Cassius: He’s gradually imaging himself as an aspiring king. It has been 5 centuries since we allowed a king to
rule us. Clearly a monarchial rule is the last thing us Romans wants, Brutus.
Brutus: Stop all these nonsense! He’s my friend! *Don’t call my name Don’t call my name*
Cassius: Only a fool will take him as a friend.
Casca: Think about it Brutus.
After another few times of brainwashing, Brutus fell into the trap by trusting the words of Cassius and Casca. He allied
with them and planned the assassination thoroughly. [Guys continue to silent talk. Then shakes hand]
******END OF SCENE******
Scene 2: Portia, the only woman that knew the plot.
Synopsis: Portia hurt herself on the thigh to prov e her trustworthy.
Setting: Roman home
Back at home, Portia was preparing dinner for the family. She was troubled by the thought of being distrusted by her
husband, Brutus.
[Monologue] Brutus had been weird these days; he didn’t even finish his fiv e bowls of rice yesterday. He
seemed troubled but he wouldn’t tell. Am I not trustworthy to him? Why is he hiding from me?
To prov e her trustworthiness, Portia made a deep cut on her thigh and left the wound unattended. She hopes to earn
Brutus trust by enduring the pain on her wound. And finally she succeeded.
Brutus: My beautiful wife, do not feel terrified as I announce to you that I shall kill Julius Caesar!
Portia: [Startled face]
******END OF SCENE******
Scene 3: The Assassination
Synopsis: JC was killed with 23 stabs all ov er his body.
Setting: Senatorial Hall
Antonio was walking down the Hall when he overheard Brutus and Cassius’ conversation.
Cassius: JC will be attending the senatorial meeting today. It’s our only chance but we have limited time. JC
will be heading east after the meeting.
Brutus: I will inform the others about the assassination. We will surround him in the hall, he shall not escape!
Cassius: We shall not fail. For Rome!
Antonio: [Monologue] JC is in danger. I have to stop him from entering the senate!
The plotters however had anticipated this. Fearing that Antonio will come to Caesar’s aid, they assigned Casca to stall
him from approaching Caesar by detaining him outside of the Theatre of Pompeii. Meanwhile, the conspirators crowded
around Caesar in the hall.
Brutus: [Giv ing support to JC] Watch your step Caesar.
JC: [Waves him away]
Brutus: [Grabs JC’s shoulder and tore his tunic]
JC: Why. THIS IS VIOLENCE!
Casca: [Took out his dagger and thrust at JC’s neck]
With a quick turn and a catch, JC saved himself from the attacker.
JC: Casca, you v illain, what are you doing?
Casca: Help brothers!
Within moments, the dictator was stroked with multiple stabs. Blinded by his blood, he tripped, and fell. Defenseless, he
lay on the floor with 22 stabs. During the commotion, he saw a familiar face, Brutus.
JC: Et tu, Brute?
Brutus: [Comes forward. Kneel down and supported JC from the back. Stabs JC on the chest.]
JC: [Dies]
Brutus: ROME IS FREE AGAIN!!
******End of Scene******
Scene 4: Funeral and Burial of Julius Caesar
Caesar’s body was prepared for burial. His body was washed and scrubbed before putting him into his finest clothes. All
the crowns and tokens he earned is put together with the corpse. A golden coin was placed in his mouth to pay for the
boat ride to the underworld.
At his funeral,
Brutus: Julius Caesar, our mighty general was killed because his ambition is becoming a threat to us. He
deserv es death as he was planning to force Rome into a monarchial system!
Antonio: NONSENSE! Julius never had any plan of getting himself a throne. It was a case of murder out of
jealousy! As a friend I am totally disappointed in your actions and maturity. Have you forgotten all the good of
Caesar? He risked his life in battles for a better life for the Romans. He didn’t risk his life for himself. In fact he left
us each a sizeable inheritance. [Facing the crowd] These people are murderers! They cannot live!
Augustus: Here I stand as the heir of Caesar, these conspirators must die. People of Rome… [Raises thumb to
the air]
With the agreement of the mob, the conspirators were giv en death sentences. Brutus, Cassius and Casca were left in a
sack with a snake, a chicken, a monkey and a dog. They were then thrown into the sea. Since then, they were never
heard.
******End of Scene******
ACT 3: AUGUSTUS CAESAR AND THE DEMOCRATIC ROME
Scene 1: Augustus inherited Rome as Emperor
After the burial of the late Julius Caesar, and the death of the conspirators, Antonio allied with Lepidus and Octavian,
forming the second triumv irate to jointly rule Caesar’s reign.
Antonio: We will share our power by dividing the territories. Any objections?
Augustus: I agree with a condition, the west will be under my control
Antonio: Certainly, and I will take the east and Lepidus shall take Africa.
Augustus: For peace and Rome. Prost!
Soon after, Augustus Caesar was crowned as the first emperor in the Roman history. The coronation was held.
Pope: Hear our prayer, Lord, and those of your serv ant. Look, Almighty God, with a serene gaze on this, your
glorious serv ant,... [Place golden crown] Through whom honor and glory are yours through infinite ages of ages.
Amen. [Passes sword]
Pope: Receiv e this sword by the hands of bishops, who, though unworthy, are consecrated to be in the place
and authority of the holy Apostles, deliver it to you, with our blessing, to serv e for the defense of the holy Church,
div inely ordained, and remember of whom the Psalmist prophesised, saying, 'Gird the sword upon your thigh, O
most Powerful One, that with it you may exercise equity.
Augustus: I, Augustus Caesar take my oath as the emperor of Rome. I shall protect my land, expand it. Rome
shall be the richest land with educated people. I will protect the dignity of my land with my life. Rome and I
shall be as one!
Pope: And I announce you Emperor Augustus. You may kiss your throne.
******End of Scene******
Scene 2: Augustus Caesar expands the map of Rome.
The crowning of Augustus Caesar started a monarchial system in Rome. As promised, he improv ed life at Rome.
Augustus: Anthony, get the finest craftsmen to fix the temples around.
Anthony: Yes your majesty.
Augustus: And also the public facilities, we’ll have marbles on the wall. And also send orders to repaint all
gov ernmental and holy buildings white.
Anthony: Your words shall be made reality sire.
Within the year, 82 temples in Rome were fixed and religion was giv en attention once again. Besides, Augustus Caesar
also kept his promise on the map of Rome.
Augustus: [Looking at map] There is still so many land not conquered on this map. I shall take them down one
after another. Hmm, let’s see.. Britain shall take the lead. PREPARE THE TROOPS! WE SHALL LEAVE IN A MONTH.
Year after year, Augustus Caesar expanded the Roman map, from Britain to Spain and Turkey. [Roman map expands]
Under Augustus Caesar’s care, Rome entered Pax Romana, which was 200 years of peace.
Augustus Caesar died at the age of 77, his empire secured and peace. Soon after his death, A Roman Senate officially
declared their departed emperor, like Julius Caesar before him, to be a god.
Before his last breath, Augustus said to his follower
Augustus: I found Rome of clay; I leav e it to you of marble.
******END OF PLAY******
iii. Key Frames
Reference
Movie reference:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065922/synopsis?ref_=ttpl_pl_syn
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0172495/plotsummary?ref_=tt_ql_6
The assassination:
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/caesar2.htm
http://www.biography.com/people/julius-caesar-9192504#assassination
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-ides-of-march-julius-caesar-is-murdered
Gladiators
http://www.exovedate.com/the_real_gladiator.html
http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-roman-gladiators
Characters
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/caesar_julius.shtml
http://spartacus-educational.com/ROMmarkantony.htm
http://global.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/82449/Marcus-Junius-Brutus
https://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Gaius_Cassius_Longinus.html
http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/caesarpeople/a/-91811-The-Role-Played-By-Casca-In-The-
Assassination-Of-Julius-Caesar.htm
http://www.lucidcafe.com/library/95sep/augustus.html
Culture
http://georgiaclassicist.wordpress.com/2013/11/02/the-bulla-and-the-celebration-of-the-dies-lustricus-2/
http://listverse.com/2014/02/13/10-lesser-known-ancient-roman-traditions/
https://christotechne.wordpress.com/category/the-punishment-of-the-sack/
Traditions
http://www.unrv.com/culture/ancient-roman-clothing.php
http://www.tribunesandtriumphs.org/roman-clothing/roman-clothing-for-women.htm
http://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/clothing2.html
Myths
http://www.crystalinks.com/romemythology.html
http://www.ancient.eu/Romulus_and_Remus/
Social Strata
http://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/rome/g/patrician.htm
http://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/rome/p/equites.htm
http://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/rome/g/plebs.htm
http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/plebian/g/Proletariat.htm
http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/socialculture/tp/Roman-Society.htm
http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/romeslavery/a/31412-From_Slave_to_Free_Born.htm
Architechture
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/roman_baths.htm
http://www.ancient.eu/Roman_Baths/
http://www.crystalinks.com/romebaths.html