Transcript Pax Romana
Ancient Rome Notes
Pax Romana
Objectives
The student will be able
to demonstrate
knowledge of ancient
Rome from about 700
B.C.E. to 500 C.E. in
terms of its impact on
Western civilization by
Explaining the economic,
social, and political impact
of the Pax Romana
Essential Questions
What was the Pax
Romana?
What was the impact of
the Pax Romana on the
Roman Empire?
Pax Romana
A period of peace and prosperity known as
“Roman peace”, lasted from 27 B.C.E. to
180 C.E. (207 years)
During this time the Roman Empire
continued to expand, especially into the
Near East
Economic Impact
Agriculture was the
most important industry
(90% farmed)
Silver coin, the
denarius, was used
throughout Rome,
which made trade
between all parts
of the empire easy
• Uniform system of
money
Economic Impact
A complex network of
roads linked the empire to
Persia, southern Russia,
China, etc.
were originally built by
military
Roads were protected and
safe to travel which
encouraged trade
Goods and culture were
spread
Overall promoted peace and
stability
Social Impact
Family was the heart of
Roman society
The Pax Romana increased
emphasis on family
the eldest man, known as
the paterfamilias, or “father
of the family”
had power to rule the
household, control property,
banish family members, etc.
Social Impact
Women, both rich and
poor, were nearly
equal the men
Upper-class women
could own property
and attended public
baths, plays, and
festivals, but still
could not vote
Lower-class women
could be weavers,
shopkeepers, or
entertainers
Social Impact
Few children went to school,
boys were favored over girls,
and poor children had to work
and were generally illiterate
Slaves were a bigger part of
Roman culture than any culture
before; they worked in cities
and on farms and many were
treated cruelly or forced to be
gladiators
Political Impact
Augustus stabilized
the frontier, glorified
Rome with splendid
buildings and created a
long-lasting system of
government
Created a uniform rule
of law
He also set up a civil
service
which meant that he
paid workers to
manage the affairs of
government, such as
the grain supply, tax
collection, and the
postal system
Political Impact
The Senate still functioned,
but the civil servants, drawn
from plebeians and former
slaves administered the
empire
The Roman Forum was a
central area in which
commerce and the
administration of justice took
place
Objectives
The student will be able
to demonstrate
knowledge of ancient
Rome from about 700
B.C.E. to 500 C.E. in
terms of its impact on
Western civilization by
Explaining the economic,
social, and political impact
of the Pax Romana
Essential Questions
What was the Pax
Romana?
What was the impact of
the Pax Romana on the
Roman Empire?
Ancient Rome Notes
Roman Contributions
Objectives
The student will be able
to demonstrate
knowledge of ancient
Rome from about 700
B.C.E. to 500 C.E. in
terms of its impact on
Western civilization by
Listing contributions in art
and architecture,
technology, and science,
literature, and history,
language, religious
institutions, and law
Essential Questions
How did Roman
achievements influence
western civilization?
Art/Architecture
The Colossuem, a huge arena that could
hold 50,000 and hosted gladiators contests,
games, races, animal shows, etc.
Art/Architecture
The Pantheon was a temple for all the gods
in Rome, had massive columns and domes,
which were typical
Art/Architecture
Used bas-relief, where
images project from a
flat background
Where also skilled in
mosaics, pictures or
designs made by
setting small pieces of
stone, glass, or tile
onto a surface
Technology
Aqueducts were designed
to bring water into cities
and towns
Couldn’t be built without
roman arches
Vast network of roads
built of stone, concrete,
and sand
Languages
Latin was the official
language of Rome
Latin influenced
French, Spanish,
Portuguese, Italian,
and Romanian which
became known
as the Romance
Languages
Literature
Writers used Roman themes and
ideas while following Greek
forms and models
Virgil, a poet, wrote The
Aeneid, which was a praise of
Rome and Roman virtues; he
believed government was
Rome’s most important
contribution to civilization
Law
All persons had the
right to equal
treatment under the
law
A person was
considered innocent
until proven guilty
The burden of proof
rested with the
accuser, not the
accused
A person should be
punished only for
actions, not thoughts
Any law that seemed
unreasonable or unfair
could be set aside
Medicine
Emphasis on public
health
Public baths
Public water system
Medical schools
Religion
Adopted the Greek gods, but changed their names
Most important were Jupiter (Zeus) – father of the
gods, Juno (Hera) – his wife, who watched over
marriage and women, and Minerva (Athena) –
goddess of wisdom and war
Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire
and eventually became the official religion
Greek God
Role
Greek Roman
andGodRoman Gods
Ares
Mars*
God of War
Zeus
Jupiter*
Chief God
Hera
Juno
Wife of chief God
Aphrodite
Venus
Goddess of love
Artemis
Diana
Goddess of the Hunt
Athena
Minerva
Goddess of Wisdom
Hermes
Mercury
Messenger God
Hades
Pluto
God of the Underworld
Poseidon
Neptune
God of the Sea
Hephaestus
Vulcan
God of Fire
Gods and Goddesses
Roman Gods and Goddesses
polytheistic
Government and religion
linked
Deities symbols of state
Expected to honor in private
rituals as well as publicly in
temples
Military campaigns began with
worship and sacrifices to the
Gods
Also worship of the Emperor
became part of the official
religion of Rome as well
Concept of Pietas- dutiful
obedience
▪ King head of the state,
paterfamilias head of the
household
Gladiators
Gladiator games used to
distract and control the
masses of Rome
Mainly poor and unemployed
By A.D. 250 over 150
holidays a year
Free games, races, mock
battles, and Gladiator battles
Celebrated in Coliseum
Combined bravery, cruelty,
honor, and violence
Wild animals from distant
lands
Objectives
The student will be able
to demonstrate
knowledge of ancient
Rome from about 700
B.C.E. to 500 C.E. in
terms of its impact on
Western civilization by
Listing contributions in art
and architecture,
technology, and science,
literature, and history,
language, religious
institutions, and law
Essential Questions
How did Roman
achievements influence
western civilization?