Europe's Early Middle Ages: The Romans

By: Gurkirt, Mahikaa, Airam, Girish, Santo and Garan

1) Gurkirt- Beliefs/Religion & Philosophy

2) Mahikaa- Society

3) Airam- The Rise & Fall

4) Girish-Politics

5) Santo- Geography

6) Garan- Military

Introduction:

The group that we have chosen is the Romans. Today we will be talking about: how the Roman Empire came to be, how it fell, its emperors and rulers, its society, the trade, their military strength, architectures, their religion, and also their geography. In this presentation you will learn many facts about the Romans and their lifestyle!

Society:

Societies all around the world are all different. Whether that is for men and women, or the rich and the poor. Even the Romans treated everyone differently. I will be telling you about: the different classes in Rome, what the daily lives of these people were, if life for women and men was different from one another, if there were any rules that a citizen would need to follow, and much more!

Classes in Ancient Rome:

The citizens of Rome were divided in two classes; Patricians and Plebeians. The Patricians were a small class of wealthy families that included the Roman nobility. On the other hand, the Plebeians were the middle and lower class people of Rome. Majority of Ancient Rome's population was of Plebeians although most Plebeians eventually gained wealth which caused changes in the government.

Comparison between Patrician's and Plebeian's The Patrician's

- The Patrician's lived easy and luxurious lives.

- Only Patricians could hold important positions in the military, government or religious sectors.

- The upper class only made up 2% of the Roman population.

- Patricians had many slaves working in their large homes. Some cooked others cleaned.

The Plebeians - Most or Rome was full of

Plebeians.

- Middle and lower class people were ordinary citizens of Rome.

- They were shopkeepers, craftsman, small traders and farmers.

- Plebeians lived in small homes and worked for themselves or an owner.

Everyday Life as a Upper Class Roman:

Life as a wealthy Roman was amazing since you had the best of everything. They owned country side estates or townhomes. They didn’t have modern services like electricity, but living conditions were comfortable since they had many slaves. Patricians also ate great meals. They ate many vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, lettuce, peas and beans. They also used up to a 100 spices and herbs. Men wore tunics, togas, a cloak and under clothing. Women wore tunics, a stola, a cloak, a strophium and under clothing. Their occupations were senates, military, business men, emperors and nobility. They had the special right to beat and kill however many slaves they wanted.

Everyday Life as a Middle Class Roman:

Everyday life as a Middle class Roman was not so easy. The whole empire depended on their services as farmers, traders and shopkeepers to keep the empire running. They also worked most of the time and like this they would get rich and eventually join the upper class. Their homes were small apartments without any kitchens which forced them to eat take out food. Men wore tunics and a toga. Women wore a stola with simple under clothing. They did not have any special rights but some could participate in the government.

Everyday Life as a Slave:

Life was harsh as a slave in Ancient Rome. Most slaves were homeless and some were fortunate if their master allowed them to stay in their homes. Slaves ate food they were able to get their hands on like their owners leftovers, extra food and some fresh vegetables. They wore bin cloth and simple cloaks made out of not so great material. Slaves in Ancient Rome had no rights and were not even considered citizens, but some slaves were treated like family and not only freed but also adopted or married into the family.

Upper Class Roman Homes:

The upper class homes were usually a country side estate as well as a town house. Homes were made of stone or brick usually built on one floor. Country homes or villas were usually attached to a large estate or farm. In Rome, only the very rich could afford to own townhomes. Townhomes were grouped in the fashionable parts of a town. Although rooms were sparingly furnished, they were richly decorated with paintings, carvings and mosaics. Often all walls were covered with paintings, abstract patterns or realistic pictures. A wealthy household usually had grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins which required a full time manager. This was the owners wife. Upper class homes were also the only homes which had kitchens because the middle class homes were too small to include kitchens. In the kitchen, slaves did all the cooking and the wife told them how to cook what.

Middle Class Homes:

Middle class homes consisted of a small room and maybe a bathroom. Middle class people had no kitchens or slaves which meant they had to work for themselves and buy food from take out places. Middle class people lived in tall apartment blocks which were very dangerous since they had no support keeping them up. The people that lived in the rooms had to pay rent to the owner and that was another way to earn fast and easy money off middle class people. Middle class families were also quite small because they didn’t have much room for many children or family members to live in one room. The room had a small bed and blankets made of cheap wool.

How was the Roman Education like?

Upper class Romans hired private tutors to educate their children at home or went to a place we would call school. However, in those schools there were mostly boys. They learned how to read and write in Latin and some mathematics. Girls were also educated but they learned how to run a household and how to be a good wife. Part of their education was music, sewing and how to run a kitchen. Most middle class Romans got educated in schools or group tutoring. They learned reading and writing also basic math. They weren't as well educated as Patricians but had some knowledge on Latin and how to do math. The slaves in Rome had no education at all but the ones brought from Greece were very smart and taught the children of the upper class. Local slaves simply learned how to clean and cook for their owners.

What kinds of Shops and Markets did the Romans have?

Ancient Rome had a huge covered shopping complex called the Market or Trajan which was built in around 110 A.D. The ground floor had fruit and flower sellers. The second floor was where oil and wine was stored in large quantities. The third and fourth floor had shops that sold food, herbs and spices. The top floor had fish tanks supplied with fresh water and sea water. Butchers sold a great variety of meat (even more than we have today). Meat included pork, mutton, goat, beef, wild boar, rabbit, geese and a few types of birds. Flour was milled from grain and was looser in texture compared to the flour we have today. As a result, Roman bread was probably chewier than ours and the dough didn’t rise well. Bread was usually baked in the bakers shop and many bakers milled their own flour.

What rights did Women in Ancient Rome have?

Roman women had more freedom than women in many earlier civilizations. They were regarded as the property of their husbands if married or else their fathers. Upper class women had the rights to manage their own money and business affairs. They could also have a voice in the government through their husbands. They could also own land. Middle class women stayed at home and took care of the home and children. They weren't as free as upper class women but they were still considered citizens and protected by the law. Women that were slaves were treated like any other slave and were all considered the same.

The Children in Rome:

The children in Rome were very different than us. They wore the same kind of clothing and played games like Robbers (which was like chess) and a board game called twelve lines which was like backgammon. Archeologists have found a huge variety of toys including marbles, wooden and cloth dolls, carved animals, doll houses, rocking horses and toys on wheels. Boys and sometimes girls went to school around the age of 7 and continued according to their fathers social status. Some families got their children married around the age of 14.

How did the Women in Ancient Rome dress?

Roman women mostly wore necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings. For the rich, jewelry was made of gold, gems and diamonds from India. Poorer women wore cheaper jewelry made of glass and coloured stones set in brass. Women clothing was mostly made of wool and sometimes linen and silk for the rich. Upper class women grew their hair long and wore it pilled up on the head in different ways. Hairstyles were very elaborate and took a long time to create. Rich women wore cosmetics made of plants, insects, shellfish and other natural materials. A lot of these cosmetics were very dangerous to the women's health.

Trades in Rome:

Rome imported and exported many items. Grains were imported from Egypt, Sicily, Tunisia and other areas around the Mediterranean. Silks from China, cotton and spices from India, ostrich products and ivory from Africa. Greece and northern Italy provided marble for grand building projects commissioned by the emperors. From Spain and Africa came the gold and silver to mint coins and create jewelry. Mines in Britain produced lead and tin for making weapons. Rome exported grains, olives, wheat, grapes, barley, fish and meat (sheep and goat). Some of these products were transported by land which was a very slow and expensive way. Large loads were in wagons and carriages which were pulled by lumbering oxen. Horses were faster but they could only pull light carriages or be ridden.

Economy in Ancient Rome:

The economy in Rome was mostly farming and oil and wine production. Importing grains like wheat, barley and corn was another business. Roman farms harvested olives, honey and cereals. They used horses, mules and donkeys for heavy loads and they used oxen as drought animals. Sheep were kept mainly for wool but also their milk. Romans made cheese from sheep and goats milk. Chickens provided the Romans with eggs. Apples, grapes, figs, pears and pomegranates were common fruits. Then came peaches, apricots and a small amount of lemons. Farmers sold these to patricians and earned a lot off them. Since sugar was unknown to the Romans, honey was the sweetener. Different types of honey was produced using different techniques. The Romans had many different businesses but the economy depended on the farmers in Rome.

How Did The Romans Defend Themselves?

The Romans were well trained to defend themselves. They could block arrows by their shields to protect their bodies. They also wear armor all over their body which protects themselves from any weapons. Their bases were called castrum and these were where the soldiers would live when they were not in war and this was where they would keep their equipment.

The Fights:

Who did the Romans fight?

The Romans fought in a lot of wars and one main one is the Punic war. This war had three wars against the carthage and was one of the biggest war romans had to fight.

What was the outcome of these fights?

The outcome of these fights were well for the romans because their military was really powerful because the soldiers were well trained which made they one of the strongest militaries. The romans were powerful enough to take down the Greek leaders such as alexander the great.

Did The Romans Use Any Special Weapons?

The Romans used swords for face to face fights and used long spear to throw at the enemies. The sword they used is called Gladius and the spears are call javelin.

Did The Romans Have Any Particular Strategies?

The Romans would all combine together and combine their shield to make wall and roof to protect themselves. This strategy was call tortoise.

Beliefs/Religion & Philosophy:

Everyone follows different religions, and we all have different beliefs. All these religions also have limits and rules that we have to follow. Some points I will be discussing are: if the Romans were monotheistic or polytheistic, if the Romans had any great thinkers, what languages were spoken in Ancient Rome, and much more!

What Beliefs Did The Romans Have?

What religion(s) were followed in Ancient Rome?

The Romans followed the religion of Christianity.

Did the Romans believe in Gods or something else?

The Romans believed in Gods and Goddesses. In fact, the Romans believed in many Gods, meaning they were polytheistic. In addition, Roman Gods were adopted from the Greek culture. The Greek and the Roman Gods are the same, but have different names.

Who Were The Romans Influenced By?

The Romans were influenced by two major groups. These two major groups are the Greeks, and also the Etruscans. The Greeks and Etruscans made many contributions to the Roman culture. The Romans had taken the Greek Gods and changed their names. And then they took the Etruscans way of building, and their elegant life style.

Similar Thoughts:

Many other groups also have similar thoughts, and beliefs as the Romans. This is because the Romans had adopted many things from the other groups. These groups include the Etruscans, the Latins, the Greeks, and also the Egyptians.

Where Did The Romans Pray?

The Romans prayed in temples called Pantheons. The temples were located in important positions. For example, at one side of the Forum, or alongside the major roads. Roman temples had a gabled roof. Roman temples also had a deep porch called a portico, with high columns. A frontal staircase giving access to a high platform was called a podium. Sculptures of Gods and Goddesses were used as decoration in the form of statues. Some famous temples include: The temple of Vesta, The temple of Saturn, and The temple of Julius Ceaser.

Presenter

Presentation Notes

This shows what Roman temples would look like

Roman Great Thinkers:

The Romans had great thinkers. These great thinkers were the priests. There are many different types of Priests. Some of these priests include:

Rex Sacrorum

Pontifices & the Pontifex Maximus

Augures

Duum Viri Sacrorum

Triumviri Epulones

Roman Philosophy:

Roman Philosophy was greatly influenced by Greek Philosophy. Roman men didn’t start studying philosophy until 200 B.C Around 50 B.C. Roman men started to write philosophy, but it was mostly translating Greek into Latin. Some main Philosophers are:

~ Cicero ~ Plutarch

~ Lucretius ~ Epicetus

~ Seneca ~ Plotinus

~ Musonius Rufus ~ Boethius

Presenter

Presentation Notes

These are some pictures of roman philosophers

How Did The Romans Worship?

Sacrifices: Romans sacrificed animals such as, bulls, sheep's, and pigs. People worshipped the Gods in the temples, where they made sacrifices of animals and valuables. The Romans believed that blood sacrifices were the best way to communicate with their gods.

Shrines: Many people had shrines in their houses with a figure of their favourite god. They believed it was important to keep the gods happy.

Presenter

Presentation Notes

This picture shows some Roman art that was in a temple.

Who Did The Romans Worship?

The Romans worshipped many Gods and Goddesses! These Gods and Goddesses are:

~ Jupiter ~Venus ~Sol ~Proserpine

~ Juno ~Mars ~Vulcan ~Juventas

~Neptune ~Minerva ~Ceres ~Cupid

~Pluto ~Diana ~Vesta ~Invidia

~Mercury ~Apollo ~Bacchus

Festivals & Special Days:

The Romans celebrated special days for Gods by holding festivals, which included parties.

Some festivals included horse racing in honour of their God Mars, who is the God of War.

On these days they would worship their gods and present them with offerings, such as sacrifices

Roman Attire:

All the citizens of Ancient Rome wore different clothing. It mostly mattered on what class you were from, and what gender you were.

Men wore a knee-length tunic (Chilton), either sleeveless or short-sleeved. Roman men also wore a cloak over their tunic. And important or high status men wore a toga.

Women wore a longer tunic which was often ankle-length. Over this the women wore a Stola which was at full length from neck to ankle, high- waisted and fastened at the shoulders.

Roman Foods And Drinks:

The Romans ate according to their class, and status.

Most Romans ate a small breakfast of bread and water.

Lunch was also a small meal, which contained meat, fish, and fruit.

Common foods included: olives, asparagus, beans, lentils, grapes, and fish.

Other Foods: Eggs, Lettuce, Olives, Snails, Oysters, Urchins, Pig, Sausages, Quails, Honey, and Poppy Seeds.

Some common drinks: black, red, white, and yellow wine weakened or diluted with water.

Presenter

Presentation Notes

The picture on the left shows what a rich roman dinner would look like, and on the left is some roman food.

Roman Entertainment:

Clowns

Dancers

Poetry Readings

Music

Literature

Drama

Chariot Races

Gladiator Battles

Baths

Did The Romans Believe In The After Life?

Yes, the Romans did believe in the after life. The Romans believed that your spirit went into the underworld, when you died. To get there, the dead needed to cross The River Styx. The dead person’s family would give them a coin to pay the ferryman, Charon.

What Did The Romans Write On And What Utensils Did

They Use? The Romans used a variety of tools for writing. The

Romans wrote on wax tablets or thin pieces of wood. Legal documents and contracts were written on papyrus, with ink.

Most people in Rome didn't go to school and didn't learn to read and write. Children from wealthy families, however, began school at about age 6 or 7. Students learned to write on boards spread with wax They scratched letters in the wax with a pointed stick (called a stylus) and then rubbed them out with the flat end of the stick.

What Did The Roman Alphabet Look Like?

The Roman/Latin alphabet has a total of 21 letters. The Romans actually used Latin to write and speak. This is one version of the Ancient Latin alphabet. Many of the letters have several different shapes in different texts.

Latin was written either from right to left or left to right. By the 5th or 4th century BC it was normally written from left to right.

Roman Numerals:

The use of Roman numerals continued even after the fall of the Roman Empire. From later on, Roman Numerals had been replaced by Arabic Numbers.

Roman Numerals were used for many different things. For example, they would be used for counting, in books, rulers, church leaders, a clock or a watch, etc...

1 = I 2 = II 3 = III 4 = IV 5 = V 6 = VI 7 = VII

8 = VIII 9 = IX 10 = X 20 = XX 30 = XXX 40 = XL 50 = L

60 = LX 70 = LXX 80 = LXXX 90 = XC 100 = C 500 = D

1000 = M 2000 =

MM

Comparing Beliefs: Ancient Rome: Present Day Canada:

In present day Canada, every religion is equal, and everyone has equal rights.

In Canada you have the freedom to do whatever you like, wear what you like, and make the decisions you want.

In Ancient Rome, the religion of Christianity was followed, and men, women, kids, and slaves all had different rights.

In Ancient Rome, you didn’t have the choice to wear what you want, or make decisions for yourself

In Ancient Rome and Canada we both worship our gods in one way or another.

PICTURES!

Ancient Rome geographical feature

The shade of orange is all the land that the roman empire conquered back ancient times. They had the Mediterranean sea as there main source of water.

Map of ancient Rome

Romes agruiculture and

The Rise Of Rome:

Every empire has their own rise and fall. Rome has a very interesting story of how it became to be one of the most greatest civilizations. Today I will be considering the following: how the Romans came to power, and how the group sustained their power.

How Did The Romans Come To Power And How Did

They Keep It? The Romans came to power by seeking to control the

Mediterranean. Control of the sea increased Romans military and economic advantage. The military was also well equipped with advanced weapons such as siege machines. This shows that Romans were quite technologically advanced.

The Romans sustained their power by "Romanizing" everyone and everything they conquered, through good governance, client kings and their skilled military. Instead of enslaving all the people from the conquered lands, the Roman Empire gave them the chance to become Roman citizens. The newly - Romanized citizens would have all the rights and privileges offered to all the other citizens who were Romans by birth.

The Fall Of Rome:

The downfall of Rome has 5 main reasons. These reasons are also why other civilizations fall. The topics I will be including are: how and why the Roman Empire fell, what were some of the reasons they fell, and how this affected the people in Rome.

How And Why Did The Romans Fall?

1- Difficulty in maintaining power in all of their empire and supplying their army was a major problem.

2- Higher and higher taxes; the spending of money for bread and celebrations.

3- The decay of religion; faith fading into mere form, losing touch with life, and becoming impotent to guide it.

4- The mad craze for pleasure, sports becoming every year more exciting and more brutal.

Timeline Of Ancient Rome:

The Roman Kingdom has been around for a long time. I will be talking about the timeline, from how the Roman Empire started to how it fell. This timeline will also include some of the fights and wars Rome had, its Emperors, and many other great events.

From When To When Were The Romans Around?

Ancient Rome is Roman civilization from the founding of the city of Rome in the 8th century BC to the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century AD, surrounding the Roman Kingdom, Roman Republic and Roman Empire until the fall of the western empire.

What Are Some Things From The Romans That You Can See

In Today's Modern World.

Romans

Arches- The Romans took advantage of their power to build bridges, aqueducts, and of course, the magnificent Colosseum

Colosseum- Used for Romans holding funeral games to honor the dead.

Today's society Arches- Used in doors, bridges, etc.

Colosseum- Due to the ruined state of the interior, it is impractical to use the Colosseum to host large events; only a few hundred spectators can be accommodated in temporary seating.

Conclusion:

Overall, we have learned a lot about the Roman Civilization and its lifestyle. In this presentation we talked about 6 main topics. These topics are: Politics, Society, Military, Beliefs/Religion & Philosophy, Geography, and the Rise And Fall of the Romans. The Romans are a very interesting topic to learn about! We all hope that you enjoyed our presentation.

Reference:

social studies 8 textbook notes/worksheets from last year https://www.ancient.eu/Roman_Religion/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_ancient_Rome

http://www.softschools.com/timelines/roman_empire/timeline_9/

https://www.thoughtco.com/ancient-roman-priests-116638

Uncovering History- Everyday life in Ancient Rome

https://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/ancient-rome/roman-education/

THANK YOU!