Life in Ancient Rome

9.1

Roman Culture The Romans admired the Greeks and copied

some of their ideas, though they often changed what they borrowed.

Roman statues and art portrayed people with flaws, in contrast the Greeks portrayed ideal people.

Romans incorporated Greek ideas into architecture, such as columns and porches. They also used their own ideas, such as arches, domes and vaults.

Two famous buildings still stand today: the Colosseum, which is an arena; and the Pantheon, which is a temple built in honor of Rome’s gods.

Pantheon

Colosseum

Writers and Latin Virgil wrote the Aeneid Horace wrote satires and odes. Ovid and Catullus were inspired by Greek

writing and myths. Livy, one of Rome’s most famous historian,

wrote the History of Rome. Many modern European languages spoken

today are based on Latin: French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Romanian

Science and Medicine

The Greek doctor Galen brought Greek ideas to Rome.

Ptolemy was a famous scientist who studied and mapped the stars.

Engineers created an advanced road system and aqueducts that provided water.

Daily Life in Rome Rome was one of the largest cities in the ancient

world. The Forum was in the center of Rome and served

as a market place and square. Wealthy Romans lived in large homes. Poorer

people lived in apartments made of stone and wood. The government provided free grain and sporting

shows, such as chariot races and gladiator contests.

Roman families were large, including young and married children, other relatives and servants. Paterfamilias

Wealthy children received an education through hired tutors. Some boys went to school

A boy became a man between ages 14 to 16. Girls became adults when they married.

Slaves were common in the Roman Empire. Suffered many hardships and were treated poorly Some slaves revolted

Spartacus was a gladiator who led a slave revolt

Romans worshiped many gods and goddesses. As the Empire grew, the Romans

conquered people of other religions.

They were allowed to worship freely as long as they did not threaten the Roman government

Emperor worship was also practiced in Rome.

Hadrian