Transcript Roman Society

Roman Society
Roman Society?
Greatly impacted by the Greeks
Greek merchants, scholars and artists spread their
culture on visits to Rome
After conquering the Hellenistic kingdoms,
Romans had Greek manuscripts and art sent to
Rome to study
Use of educated Greek slaves popular
Rich sent sons to Athens to study
Many blamed the Greeks for Rome’s vices, like
materialism
Roman Religion
Influenced all parts of
society
Polytheistic
Adopted many Greek
deities; “Greco-Roman”
religion
Overall, tolerant of
religious cults
Religion, cont.
Belief that humans were
dependent on the gods –
even the government
Ritual very important
Pontifex maximuscontrolled the state
religion (chief priest)
Julius Caesar united this
title with the emperor
Religious Success
It was believed
that the
Romans’
success in
creating an
empire reflected
that they had
achieved the
‘peace of the
gods’
Religious Festivals
Two Types of Festivals:
1. State Sponsored- games grew out of these
in honor of Jupiter. Began as chariot races,
and as empire expanded, included gladiator
fights in the Circus Maximus.
2. Performed by individual families
Circus Maximus
Education
No public education system
Family provided training for their children
in how to be a good Roman citizen
Boys: learn how to farm, be a soldier and
understand the traditions of the state/politics
Girls: be good wives and mothers
Upper Class Education
Greek studies
Rhetoric
Philosophy
Primary and
secondary schools
(grammaticus)
Grammaticusliterature, logic,
arithmetic, geometry,
astronomy and music
The Roman Family
Roman families lead by the
paterfamilias, or the
dominant male.
He exercised complete
control
Children raised at home
Upper class children taught
to read and write
Boys become men at age 16
with the changing of the
toga ceremony.
Family
Marriages arranged by
paterfamilias
Girls aloud to marry at 12,
but usually happened at 14
Divorce common, and easy
to obtain
2nd Century women begin to
receive more rights and the
paterfamilias rule goes out
of style.
Roman Women
The upper class women of Rome had more
freedom than their Greek counterparts
They could leave the home without an escort
Were the center of the entertaining conducted
in the home
Husbands enjoyed the company of their wives;
made easier since she was educated
Still, had no political rights until…
The end of the 5th century given rights in
politics
Slavery
Romans relied on
slavery.
Even small farmers
usually owned slaves
Greeks were slaves and
usually tutors,
musicians, doctors, and
artists.
Worked in shops, kept
houses, waited tables,
servants, and
craftspeople.
Slavery Conditions
Poor conditions for most slaves; those that
worked in private homes seen as members
of the family and treated well
Some, like Cato, believed it was cheaper to
work a slave to death, and then get a new
one.
Punishments were harsh to prevent revolt.
Spartacus
Spartacus in 73 B.C.
leads thousands in a
revolt, and defeats
several Roman
armies.
He was captured and
killed
All of his followers
were crucified
Art
Adored Greek Art
Greeks concentrated
on ideal forms
Romans added
realistic features,
even unpleasant
features
Architecture
Excelled in architecture
Created the dome, arch,
and vault.
Built roads, bridges, and
aqueducts
Architecture, cont.
Development of concrete, allowed building
projects to become very large
Built amphitheaters, public baths, and large
apartment buildings – necessary to house
the ever growing population of the Roman
Empire!