Global Studies I

Roman Art and

Architecture
Romans adopted many
features of Greek art
and architecture
Greek Statues
Ideal beauty and
appearance
Greek Architecture
Colonnades,
rectangular buildings
Roman Art and
Architecture
Roman Statues
Romans produced
realistic statues
Roman Architecture
Colonnades,
rectangular buildings
Curved lines: arch,
vault, dome
Concrete
roads, bridges,
aqueducts
Roman Literature
Augustan Age was
the “golden age” of
Latin literature
Virgil
Poet, wrote the
Aeneid in honor of
Rome
 Hero: Aeneas is the
ideal Roman
 Virtues: duty, piety,
and faithfulness
Roman Literature
Horace
poet
enjoyed pointing out
“the follies and vices
of his age.”
laughs at the
weaknesses of
humans
Satires
 attacks job
dissatisfaction and
greed
Roman Literature
Livy
historian
History of Rome
saw history in terms
of moral lessons
celebrated Rome’s
greatness
weakness:
 Not always concerned
about getting the
whole truth
The Roman Family
Headed by the
paterfamilias –
dominant male
Included wife, sons with
their wives and
children, unmarried
daughters, and slaves
Roman children were
raised in the home
Upper-class children
(boys and girls) were
expected to be
educated
The Roman Family
Attitudes toward women
Had a male guardian (until
late 2nd century)
Arranged marriages
(usually around age 14)
Divorce was acceptable
and could be obtained for
any reason
Upper-class women had
considerable freedom and
independence
Slavery
Common throughout the
ancient world
POWs brought back to
Italy as slaves
Greek slaves served as
tutors, musicians,
doctors, and artists, shop
assistants and
craftspeople
Others worked in Roman
households, built roads
and public buildings
living conditions were
pitiful
Slavery
Slave revolts
73 BC, most famous
Led by gladiator,
Spartacus
 Involved 70,000 slaves
 Defeated several
Roman armies before
being trapped and
killed in 71BC
 6000 followers were
crucified (put to death
by hanging on a cross)
Daily Life in the City of
Rome
Living Conditions
Overcrowded and noisy
Dangerous
Rich lived in villas, poor
lived in weakly
constructed apartment
blocks called insulae
 Constant threat of fire
 Entire families lived in one
room due to ridiculously high
rents
Daily Life in the City of
Rome
Public Programs
Serious problems
Emperors provided
free grain for poor
Entertainment was
provided to distract
Romans from worries
of the day
 Circus Maximus
 Dramatic performances

 Gladiatorial shows
“Bread and Circuses”
What is meant by the following quote by the
Roman poet Juvenal?
“Nowadays, with no vote…their motto is
‘Couldn’t care less.’ Time was when their vote
elected generals, heads of state, commanders
of legions: but now…there’s only two things
that concern them: Bread and Circuses.”