Roman Society, Culture, and Religion

Wealthy vs Poor

• Rich- city homes and villas

• Running water and baths

• Politicians• Practiced public-

speaking

• Crowded apartment buildings

• Frequent fires

Bread and Circuses

• Circuses– Chariot races– Free food and

entertainment

• Circus Maximus or Coliseum

• Mimes, jugglers, theater dancers, acrobats, etc.

• Fights b/w animals and/ or humans

• Gladiator fights

Public Baths

• Bathing and hygiene for health

• Hot pools and cold pools

• Cleaning and socializing• Steam rooms, exercise

facilities, and meeting rooms

Roman Families

• Patriarchal• Paterfamilias• Adoption- sons to carry

family name• More freedom for lower

class women

Education and Religion

• Mostly home schooled• Schools- Latin, Greek,

law, math, public speaking

• Polytheistic– Worshipped gods from

many cultures– penates

• Augurs

Cultural Legacy

• Galen• Ptolemy• Applied knowledge• Aqueducts, grid system,

concrete, etc.• Round arch, vault,

domes, etc.• Civil law • Romance languages

– Came from Latin

Judaism and Christianity

Based on beliefs and customs of Jesus of Nazareth and Judaism

Judaism

• 63 BC Romans conquered Judea

• Monotheistic• The deal– Jews to practice their

religion– Paid tribute to Rome

Jews and Romans

• Zealots• Armed resistance• Others waited for the

Messiah– Spiritual leader– Would restore Jewish

leadership in Jerusalem– Bring peace

Jesus of Nazareth

• Four Gospels– First four books in New

Testament– New Testament +

Hebrew Bible= Christian Bible today

• Carpenter• Studied writings of

Jewish prophets

• Redemption and warning

• Disciples• Performed miracles • Repent • Humility, mercy and

charity

Death of Jesus

Romans feared political uprising Jesus was tried and

found guilty

ResurrectedJesus Christ- Greek word for Messiah

Christianity Spreads

• Disciples (apostles) spread Jesus’s teachings• Paul – spread Christianity to non-Jews– Changed food restrictions

• People liked message of love and eternal life• No social restrictions• Eventual Roman religious toleration

Christian Church

• Eucharist• Baptism • Priests- authority from Jesus through Apostles• Bishop• Pope- bishop of Rome

Constantine

• Converted in early 300s• “In this sign, conquer”• Edict of Milan– Made Christianity legal

• Christianity spread• Polytheism disappeared