Roman Culture and Society
description
Transcript of Roman Culture and Society
Roman Culture and Society
Art and Architecture
Art• Romans adopted many features of Greek style of art• Became known as GRECO-ROMAN• Roman sculptors produced more realistic works,
including unattractive physical details• Painted portraits and landscapes on walls of villas
Architecture• Romans excelled in architecture: awesome builders•Used curved forms such as the arch, the vault, and the dome• Romans first people to use concrete on massive scale• Using these 2 allowed Romans to construct huge
buildings undreamed of by Greeks• Constructed roads, bridges, and aqueducts• In Rome, 12 aqueducts kept population of one million
supplied with water
Roman Ruins
Roman Ruins
Arches
Domes…
Amazing Construction!!Nothing holding these rocks
together!!!
Literature•High point of Roman literature reached during Age of Augustus• Called the “Golden Age of Latin Literature”
•Most distinguished poet was Virgil• Wrote masterpiece Aeneid
• Epic poem about ideal Roman citizen, expressed that Rome’s gift was the art of ruling
• Another prominent Augustan poet was Horace• Laughs at the weaknesses of humans
•Most famous Latin prose work of Golden Age written by historian Livy• Called The Early History of Rome
• Livy saw history in terms of moral lessons• Weakness: not always concerned about factual accuracy of his stories
Life in Ancient Rome• Patricians• Plebeians• Slaves/freemen•Women•Gladiators• Chariot Racers
The Colosseum
How water would be brought in to fill Colosseum for “naval battles”
Where ships would be stored under Colossuem and where gladiators would get on ships
Gladiator Fight…Priscus vs. Verus, AD 80
This fight between gladiators Priscus and Verus was held in AD 80, on the first day of the ceremonies conducted by the emperor Titus to inaugurate the Colosseum. Both gladiators were declared victors of the combat and granted their freedom by the emperor Titus in a unique outcome.
Chariot Racers: Circus Maximus
Ben Hur: Chariot Race
Roman Baths