Life in ancient rome
Romans were divided into a social hierarchy. Patricians were a small group of nobles with a great impact on government. Plebeians were traders, craftspeople, and peasants. Though they were the biggest class they didn't participate in government decisions until about 400s BC. Many plebeians gained wealthy and powerful through trade. Then you had slaves and servants at the bottom and warriors and knights around the top. Even though they were much different, they still played into each other strengthening rome.
Food and agriculture
Most Romans were farmers, but as the republic grew people turned the small farms into bigger ones. Slaves worked these farms, but romans mostly received food from trade. For ientaculum (breakfast) they normally ate flat bread seasoned with salt. Nobles however, ate eggs, fruit, cheese, milk, and honey. At around noon they would have prandium (lunch) which included leftovers from breakfast with the occasional fish. The main meal of the day however, was conea (dinner) which started around 3 o'clock and lasted until late at night. Their diet consisted of fish and bread along with fruits and eggs. Some nights they held festivals were they drank wines, sang, and danced.
image from www.cornellcollege.edu/classical_studies/images/clsimages/romanfood.jpg
Shown here is some of the foods they ate such as bread, fruits, and eggs.
Art and Music
Many of the Greek's customs were adapted and infused in Roman culture. Their art and music was much alike, but the Romans adjusted it to fit their taste. Instead of their art being about Gods, they were mostly about their Christianity and Christian purposes. Their art was mostly oil paintings and clay statues. The Romans had music called Roman melodies (which were based off greek music). They also made compositions known as Early Christian Chants similar to today's hymns. However, by the medieval period they called it the Gregorian Chant. Musicians were hired at parties to entertain the host's guests, and they played flutes, guitars, and harps. Usually these items instruments were made of wood instead of metals.
image from www.historywiz.org/images/rome/fish.jpg
Roman art was mostly oil paintings and statues. The art shown above entitled "fish" was found by archeologists and as it shows it is a painting of fish and other sea creatures.
Government and Law
Romans elected new government officials every year. The patricians had a greater grasp on government, but to calm the angry plebeians they split the government into 3 main parts. The magistrates or elected officials, the senate or council of powerful romans, and assemblies and tribunes or plebeian's council. Consuls were the most powerful magistrates. Some magistrates were judges, but were elected and only remained in power for a year. Unlike magistrates, senates were in power for life. They advised consuls, but eventually gained more power. The last group was split into two branches called the assemblies and tribunes. The assemblies main job was to elect new magistrates. The tribunes could veto (prohibit) actions made by other officials. Like the magistrates, they could only remain in office for a year. They had a series of checks and balances, for example, laws made by the senates had to be approved by magistrates, but could be ratified by the assemblies. Their laws became written in 12 tablets and placed inside rome's public meeting place.
image from www.laits.utexas.edu/moore/sites/laits.utexas.edu.moore/files/images.jpg
Ancient romans would come together in councils similar to today's jury such as in this picture, and discuss government matters like taxes and construction.
Architecture
Romans were skilled architects and masters of design. Their work dates back to 509BC to 330AD. They created roads, great walls, forts, temples, and towns with their invention of concrete. The roads they built increased trade wonderfully gradually rising rome's power. As they grew more wealthy they created public bathes, bigger cities, and magnificent villas. One of their most famous creations they made was the Coliseum. In it the kings were entertained by bloody battles as gladiators fought strange animals like crocodiles, leopards, lions, tigers, and elephants. Their design was somewhat based on the Greek's panthenon. Their concrete buildings were described by historians as works of art.
image from www.carthage.org.lb/en/themes/arts/architec/Ancientarc/manmonuments/AncientRomeColiseum
One of rome's most famous buildings ever created was the coliseum where gladiators would fight to entertain the king.
Religion and Myths
Ancient Romans believed immortal beings caused good or bad fortune to their daily life. The head of the family was thought to be a priest while the children and wife were his assistants, who guarded the fields along with all living things inside (livestock). Vestal Virgins, Flamens, Haruspexs, Augurs, and Pontiffs were the 5 main religious fields. Pontiffs created a calendar that showed religious events/holidays. They also established a criminal code and advised chief magistrates. Augers decided if a God or Goddess approved of a government choice. Haruspexs were priests who told what would happen in the future and was greatly respected by the villagers. Flamens were responsible for sacrifices to the gods. Vestal Virgins put their lives on the line to protect the sacred fire of the Goddess of hearth. Families had their own "sacred fire" in their home that was said to protect them. If the fire was put out, bad luck would befall the family, so it was their responsibility to keep it going. There was over 20 different types of "Gods" that they worshipped in fear, and believed that if they were worshipped properly they would live a proper happy life.
image from www.bible-history.com/ibh/images/fullsized/battle_of_gods_and_giants.jpg
In ancient times romans believed in polytheism and had over 20 Gods they worshipped. In the picture above a few of the Gods they believed in are in some sort of battle.
