Roman Civilization

1
Roman Civilization

• Life in Ancient Rome
• The Pax Romana Peaceful Rome
• Emperor Augustus 27 B.C. 14 A.D.
• Julio-Claudian Emperors
• Tiberius
• Caligula
• Claudius
• Nero

2
The Golden AgeThe Period of Antonines 96-192

• Era of the Five good emperors
• Nerva
• Trajan
• Hadrian
• Antoninus Pius
• Marcus Aurelius

3
Life in Ancient Rome

• Romes population 500,000 and 750,000
• Most people lived in jerrybuilt apartment houses
• Fire and crime were constant problems
• Streets were narrow and sanitation was a problem
• Compared to medieval and early modern cities,
  Rome was healthy enough to live in

4
City life in Rome

• The city was so big that the countryside could
  not feed it
• Because of starvation, the emperor provided the
  citizens with free bread, oil, and wine
• This prevented riots
• Non-citizens were given grain at low prices
• This kept the favor of the people

5
Entertainment

• The emperor entertained the population at his
  expense
• Gladiator contest
• Dueled with usually swords and shields
• Many were criminals sentenced to be killed
• Some were prisoners of war or slaves of gladiator
  trainers
• Some were free men who volunteered and women

6
Entertainment

• Chariot racing
• Romans were more addicted to chariot racing than
  gladiator shows
• Four permanent teams competed against one another
  (red, white, green, and blue)
• Two-horse or four-horse chariots (seven laps or
  about five miles)
• This was comparable to todays modern past-time
  activities

7
Roman Decline

• Third century A.D.
• Civil Wars and barbarian invasions
• Economy shattered and cities got smaller
• Commodus was unsuited to govern the empire
• 20 different emperors in 49 years
• Barracks emperors
• Rule of military commanders

8
Barbarians on the Frontiers

• They came westward from Asia
• Goths
• Vandals
• Huns
• Alamanni
• Franks
• Saxons

9
Turmoil in farm and village life

• The people of the villages had more trouble with
  corrupt officials than with the barbarians from
  the east.
• Some had to leave for their safety.