how far did roman punishments reflect roman society?
DESCRIPTION
How far did Roman punishments reflect Roman society?. By the end of the lesson you should be able to. Explain some of the crimes and punishments handed out in Roman Britain Explain why these punishments were given Evaluate how far punishments reflected society. Starter - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
How far did Roman
punishments reflect Roman
society?
•Explain some of the crimes and punishments handed out in Roman Britain
•Explain why these punishments were given
•Evaluate how far punishments reflected society
By the end of the lesson you should be able to.....
Starter
In your book, write ‘Roman Punishment’ in the centre of your page. Using the images, you should write down the different types of punishments you can identify.
You should then think about words that best describe the punishments you can see. Include these on your mind map.
A Roman carving depicting a noblemen being exiled.
A drawing depicting a criminal being pushed off Tarpeian Rock.
A drawing depicting a criminal being flogged.
A Mosaic depicting a Bear devouring a criminal.
Roman Crucifixions
Some criminals were forced to become Gladiators.
Task
Order the punishments in degree of severity. Place the most severe at the top and the least severe at the bottom.
You must be able to explain your decision!
Write the most severe and least severe in your books!
TaskLook at the crime cards in front of you. You should categorise them into three groups:
Minor Crime
More Serious Crime
Most Severe Crime
Once you have had your answers checked – you should record them on your sheet.
Using the information sheet you should then add the different punishments that match the crimes.
Grade B-A* = Answer extension questions in your book!
Describe the ways in which the Roman approach to crime and punishment reflected Roman
Society.
(9 marks)
•Answer will contain general comments but will lack detail.
•E.g. Punishments were harsh.1-3 marks
•Answer will describe one or two aspects with more detail.
•E.g. Examples of how crimes carrying the death penalty were used as a deterrent.4-6
marks
•The answer will make secure links between features of society, and crime and punishment.
•E.g. Crimes against the Emperor•E.g. Punishment of slaves7-9
marks
Describe the ways in which the Roman approach to crime and punishment reflected Roman Society. (9 marks)
Roman Punishments
The most frequent crimes were lesser ones such as small-scale theft or selling under-weight bread. Burglaries and street-crimes involving robbery were also common. Riots at games, chariot races, and gladiatorial contests also took place from time to time.The most serious crimes were considered to be those that challenged the authority of those in power. The Roman Empire was made up of many different countries and peoples, and anything that threatened this was seen as a dreadful crime. As such people who rebelled or plotted against the Emperor and Empire were given the most harsh punishments.The Emperor of Rome was worshiped as part of the official civic religion. People who refused to do this were seen as particularly dangerous. When Christians refused, they were severely punished. The big idea of Roman punishment was to deter potential criminals by harsh punishment.
Romans made punishments harsh in the belief that this would deter other people from committing crimes. Prisons were not used as a method of punishments, they were only used to hold people until their trial. Executions were common, and were held in public for people to see. However, how you were punished depended on who you were.
Roman Punishments
Citizens (ordinary Romans)Citizens could be put to death for serious crimes such as:Arson, attacking the Emperor, robbing temples and stealing farm animals.
For less serious crimes such as theft and selling underweight bread, punishments included: whipping, confiscation of property, or repaying the cost of goods.
For most severe crimes, such as rebellion and religious non-conformity (not following the correct religion) punishments ranged from:
Execution by crucifix, being thrown to the lions, being forced to become a Gladiator.
NoblesA nobleman was a person with high political or social status.
Due to their position and power a nobleman could be sentenced to death for serious crimes but they were allowed to go into exile (they were sent away permanently from society).
SlavesSlaves were treated most harshly out of all the classes in Roman society. If a slave murdered or tried to murder the master of their house ALL of the slaves in the household were crucified.
Legionaries Soldiers who ran away in battle faced execution. One in every ten men from the legion that they ran away from was chosen randomly and also executed. This was called decimation.
Arson Robbing Temples
Stealing farm
animals
Attacking the
Emperor
Religious non-
conformity(E.g. Christians refusing to
worship the Emperor)
Murder
Selling Underweigh
t Bread
RebellionAn act of violence
or defiance against the Emperor.
TheftSlaves
plotting to kill their master.
A Roman carving depicting a noblemen being exiled.
Minor Crime
Examples of punishments given:
More Serious Crime
Examples of punishments given:
Most Severe Crime
Examples of punishments given:
Answer these questions in your book.
How were noblemen treated differently to other people in society?
Grade B-A* = Why do you think Slaves and Legionaries given these types of punishments?
Grade B-A*= Why do you think the examples given for Most Severe Crime were viewed so seriously?
Minor Crime
TheftSelling underweight-bread
Examples of punishments given:
More Serious Crime
MurderRobbing TemplesStealing Farm AnimalsArson
Examples of punishments given:
Most Severe Crime
RebellionReligious non-conformityAttacking the EmperorSlaves plotting to kill their master
Examples of punishments given:
Answer these questions in your book.
How were noblemen treated differently to other people in society?
Grade B-A* = Why do you think Slaves and Legionaries given these types of punishments?
Grade B-A*= Why do you think the examples given for Most Severe Crime were viewed so seriously?
ANSWER SHEET
•Answer will contain general comments but will lack detail.•E.g. Punishments were harsh.
1-3 marks•Answer will describe one or two aspects with more detail.•E.g. Examples of how crimes carrying the death penalty were
used as a deterrent.
4-6 marks
•The answer will make secure links between features of society, and crime and punishment.
•E.g. Crimes against the Emperor•E.g. Punishment of slaves
7-9 marks
Describe the ways in which the Roman approach to crime and punishment reflected Roman Society. (9 marks)
Begin by describing the structure of society. (Think about who was important and who was not)Identify three or four punishments and explain how these reflected society e.g. Christians being punished very severely because they challenged the Emperor by refusing to worship him.
How will I be marked?
Mark: What you need to do next time to improve this type of question: