Transcript Greco-Roman World - Wando High School

Rome and the Roots of
Western Civilization
Greco-Roman Culture
Romans adopt aspects of Greek and Hellenistic
culture
Results in Greco-Roman culture, or classical
civilization
Horace (Roman poet)- “Greece has conquered
her rude conqueror.”
Roman Fine Arts
Romans develop basrelief (low-relief,
images projected
from a flat
background)
Sculptures tell stories
Represent crowds of
people, soldiers in
battle, landscapes
Trajan’s Column
128 feet high built around 105
AD
Made with bas-relief
Decorating the column is a
650 foot band that winds up
to the top of the structure, like
a barber’s pole
Shows battles and everyday
life
Mosaics
Pictures or designs made
by setting small pieces of
stone, glass, or tile on
surface
Most Roman villas had at
least one colored mosaic
Frescoes
Bright large murals
painted directly on
wet plaster
Best examples are
found in Pompeii
Pompeii
In shadow of Mt.
Vesuvius
Erupted in 79 AD and
covered the area with ash
which hardened (8-10
feet of ash and debris)
“Lost” for 1600 years
¾ of the city has been
excavated
Gives us a glimpse of life
during the Roman times
Mount Vesuvius Today
2,000 people died and are covered
in ash
Pompeii
Frescoes in Pompeii Villa
Images from the city of Pompeii
Pompeii
Literature
Inspired by the Greeks
Writers used Roman themes and ideas,
but Greek forms and models
Virgil
Poet from “Age of Augustus”
Son of small landowner in
northern Italy
Wrote the Aeneid
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Aeneas is portrayed as the ideal
Roman
His virtues are duty, piety, and
faithfulness
Modeled after Homer
Written in praise of Rome and
Roman virtues
“…Romans, never forget the government is your
medium! Be this your art:-to practice men in
habit of peace, Generosity to the conquered,
and firmness against aggressors.” VIRGIL,
Aeneid
Ovid
Wrote light, witty
poetry for enjoyment
Wrote Amores
“When I was from Cupid’s
passion free, my Muse
was mute and wrote no
elegy.”
He can only compose
when he is in love
Livy
Historian from the golden age
His masterpiece is The Early History of
Rome
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142 books that trace the history of Rome
until 9 B.C.
Used legends that created more of a
national myth than a true history
“The study of history is the best medicine for
a sick mind; for in history you have a
record of the infinite variety of human
experience plainly set out for all to see;
and in that record you can find for
yourself and your country both examples
and warnings; fine things to take as
models, base things, rotten through and
through, to avoid.”
Livy, (History in terms of moral lessons)
Tacitus
Historian who was
notable b/c he
presented facts
accurately
Concerned about the
Roman’s lack of
morality
Wrote Annals and
Histories
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About the good and bad
of imperial Rome
Latin
Language of learning in West after fall of Rome
Official language of Roman Catholic Church into 20th c.
Developed into the Romance Languages
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French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Romanian
Roman Law
1. A person is innocent until
proven guilty
2. Actions are punishable,
thoughts are not
3. All citizens have the right to
equal treatment under the
law
4. The burden of proof rests
with the accuser rather than
the accused
5. Any law that seems
unreasonable or grossly
unfair can be set aside
• These principles of Roman
law influenced many
European countries and the
Roman Colosseum
Could seat about 50,000 people
Built east of the Forum
Constructed started between 70 and 72 AD under
Vespasian and completed in 80 AD under Titus
Opening games held for 100 days and hundreds and
animals and 2000 gladiators were killed.
Colosseum
Spectators were given tickets in the form of
numbered pottery shards, which directed them
to the appropriate section and row.
Retractable awning kept the sun and rain off
spectators. Women and poor sat in top rows.
Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian columns used
Colosseum
Used for about 500 years
Gladiatorial games, mock sea battles, animal hunts,
executions, reenactments of famous battles
Wooden floors covered the chambers where the
gladiators and animals were kept
Colosseum
Severely ruined due to damage caused by
earthquakes and stone-robbers
One of the finest surviving examples of
Roman architecture
More Architecture
Used arches in the Aqueducts and in the
Colosseum
Aqueducts
Supplied water for drinking and bathing
Powered by gravity
Stone covered with concrete
Architecture
Used domes
Pantheon in Rome
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Temple to the gods
Built between 27-25 BC
Roman Roads
53,000 miles
Roman Baths
Wealthy Romans had baths at
home
Many thousands made the public
bath a part of their daily routine
Staffed by slaves
Some could accommodate several
thousand bathers at once
There were two 6 hour shifts for
women and the same for men
There were adjoining exercise
areas and massage areas
Typically patrons paid a small
entry fee and entered the exercise
yard to work up a sweat before
heading for the pools
Roman Baths
Legacy of Rome
Legal system
Civil Service
Epic Poetry
Arch and Dome
Mosaics and Frescoes
Sculpture and Bas-reliefs
Use of concrete in engineering
Roads
Aqueducts
Latin and Romance languages
Spread of Christianity