The Roman Empire

Ancient Rome was a magnificent ancient empire that has much knowledge. Armies used force to maintain peace in the Roman provinces. The Praetorian Guard was originally the soldiers who guarded the headquarters of the emperor. They were a small elite force chosen to protect the emperor; it was started by Augustus Caesar. There was a period of great prosperity throughout the Empire, but there were inequities among the classes, the rich enjoyed great luxuries, and the poor are free, some of them lived off the land, they owned small plots of land. Colonus is a tenant farmer, many of them lived in crowded cities, and slavery is widespread. The life of the wealthy had a city home and a country home. They also had many conveniences like running water, baths, and indoor plumbing. Their leisure time was spent, resting, exercising, public baths, and huge banquets. The life of the other citizens included living in crowded multi-story apartment houses made of wood, simple foods, simple furniture, hardworking, the government of Rome provided grain to the poor. Food is still scarce, simple meals like bread, cheese, and fruit. Slaves were the least fortunate of the classes. They made up a large portion of the population, ***Slaves could buy their freedom or be freed by their masters. They had few legal rights. They also depended on the will of their masters, Slavery was not essential to the Roman economy. There were many poor, free workers available to do the jobs of the slaves. It was cheaper to pay workers than to own slaves. Slaves were a status symbol. As the conquests declined, the amount of slaves declined, price of slaves goes up. They had theatre, they preformed light comedies and satires; mimes, jugglers, acrobats, clowns, dancers. They had savage brutal sports boxing used brass knuckles, and gladiator fights. Circus Maximus of Rome was a Racetrack they had chariot races. The Coliseum had wild beasts and gladiator fights which were most popular. “Moriturite Salutamus” means we who are about to die we salute you. They collected and organized information to put to good use. Galen was a physician who summarized all medical knowledge of the times; he had the greatest authority on medicine. Ptolemy was an astronomer who invented the Ptolemaic system which claimed the earth was the center of the universe. People accepted this until the 1600 AD. Cities used the knowledge of the Greeks to plan their cities. Features of the new cities were smaller versions of Imperial Rome, government buildings, theatres, public baths, aqueducts, paved roads, water and sewage systems. They applied their scientific knowledge, farming, and livestock breeding. They created concrete, arch, vaulted ceiling, pantheon which is the only ancient building still completely intact, aqueducts, bridge-like structures that carry water from the mountains. During this time the arts and literature were encouraged by Augustus Caesar.