Roman Society, Culture, and Religion
Wealthy vs Poor
• Rich- city homes and villas
• Running water and baths
• Politicians• Practiced public-
speaking
• Crowded apartment buildings
• Frequent fires
Bread and Circuses
• Circuses– Chariot races– Free food and
entertainment
• Circus Maximus or Coliseum
• Mimes, jugglers, theater dancers, acrobats, etc.
• Fights b/w animals and/ or humans
• Gladiator fights
Public Baths
• Bathing and hygiene for health
• Hot pools and cold pools
• Cleaning and socializing• Steam rooms, exercise
facilities, and meeting rooms
Roman Families
• Patriarchal• Paterfamilias• Adoption- sons to carry
family name• More freedom for lower
class women
Education and Religion
• Mostly home schooled• Schools- Latin, Greek,
law, math, public speaking
• Polytheistic– Worshipped gods from
many cultures– penates
• Augurs
Cultural Legacy
• Galen• Ptolemy• Applied knowledge• Aqueducts, grid system,
concrete, etc.• Round arch, vault,
domes, etc.• Civil law • Romance languages
– Came from Latin
Judaism and Christianity
Based on beliefs and customs of Jesus of Nazareth and Judaism
Judaism
• 63 BC Romans conquered Judea
• Monotheistic• The deal– Jews to practice their
religion– Paid tribute to Rome
Jews and Romans
• Zealots• Armed resistance• Others waited for the
Messiah– Spiritual leader– Would restore Jewish
leadership in Jerusalem– Bring peace
Jesus of Nazareth
• Four Gospels– First four books in New
Testament– New Testament +
Hebrew Bible= Christian Bible today
• Carpenter• Studied writings of
Jewish prophets
• Redemption and warning
• Disciples• Performed miracles • Repent • Humility, mercy and
charity
Death of Jesus
Romans feared political uprising Jesus was tried and
found guilty
ResurrectedJesus Christ- Greek word for Messiah
Christianity Spreads
• Disciples (apostles) spread Jesus’s teachings• Paul – spread Christianity to non-Jews– Changed food restrictions
• People liked message of love and eternal life• No social restrictions• Eventual Roman religious toleration
Christian Church
• Eucharist• Baptism • Priests- authority from Jesus through Apostles• Bishop• Pope- bishop of Rome
Constantine
• Converted in early 300s• “In this sign, conquer”• Edict of Milan– Made Christianity legal
• Christianity spread• Polytheism disappeared