Chapter 9: The Fate of Ancient RomeChapter 9: The Fate of Ancient RomeChapter 9.1: Roman Daily Life Chapter 9.1: Roman Daily Life

Discover who could be a Roman citizen.Discover who could be a Roman citizen.

Find out how Romans of different social Find out how Romans of different social classes lived.classes lived.

Understand the importance of family life in Understand the importance of family life in Roman society.Roman society.

Learn about slavery in ancient Rome.Learn about slavery in ancient Rome.

Objectives:Objectives:

Rome was a huge city, teeming with people.Rome was a huge city, teeming with people.

Actually the size of some cities Actually the size of some cities (New York City) today. (New York City) today.

Rome actually had to many people. Rome actually had to many people.

The citizens of Rome had to put up with noise The citizens of Rome had to put up with noise and crowding everyday.and crowding everyday.

Roman CitizensRoman Citizens

Being a Roman citizen was a matter of great Being a Roman citizen was a matter of great pride.pride.

Census – An official count of people living in Census – An official count of people living in a place.a place.

Every five years Roman men registered for Every five years Roman men registered for census.census.

Registering for the census was the only way Registering for the census was the only way to claim citizenship.to claim citizenship.

Being Counted as a CitizenBeing Counted as a Citizen

Roman men declared their families, slaves, Roman men declared their families, slaves, and wealth to authorities at census time. and wealth to authorities at census time.

If a man did not register, he ran the risk of If a man did not register, he ran the risk of losing his property. Worse yet, he could be losing his property. Worse yet, he could be

sold into slavery. sold into slavery.

Women, girls, slaves and those who had been Women, girls, slaves and those who had been freed from slavery were not counted as freed from slavery were not counted as

citizens.citizens.

Being Counted as a CitizenBeing Counted as a Citizen

A small number of rich people and many poor A small number of rich people and many poor free people and slaves.free people and slaves.

There was a huge difference between the lives There was a huge difference between the lives of the rich and the poor. of the rich and the poor.

The majority of poor Romans were wither The majority of poor Romans were wither slaves or without jobs.slaves or without jobs.

Roman Social ClassesRoman Social Classes

The rich often had elegant homes in the city.The rich often had elegant homes in the city.

Villas - homes or estates in the country.Villas - homes or estates in the country.

The wealthy were famous for overdoing The wealthy were famous for overdoing everything.everything.

A Life of LuxuryA Life of Luxury

Most people lived in poorly built, rundown Most people lived in poorly built, rundown housing. housing.

Many lived in tall apartment houses with no Many lived in tall apartment houses with no running water, toilets, or kitchens.running water, toilets, or kitchens.

Rubbish and human waste were carried down Rubbish and human waste were carried down to the street or – as often happened – dumped to the street or – as often happened – dumped

out of a window.out of a window.

Another Way of Life for the PoorAnother Way of Life for the Poor

The poor of Rome needed wheat to survive, The poor of Rome needed wheat to survive, the poor often rioted.the poor often rioted.

These were held in the These were held in the ColosseumColosseum..

Circuses - An arena in ancient Rome or show Circuses - An arena in ancient Rome or show held there.held there.

Romans rich and poor, packed the arenas to Romans rich and poor, packed the arenas to watch the eventswatch the events

Bread and Circuses Bread and Circuses

Gladiators – A person who fought to the death Gladiators – A person who fought to the death as entertainment for the Roman public.as entertainment for the Roman public.

Gladiators paraded onto the floor of the arena. Gladiators paraded onto the floor of the arena. Approaching the emperor’s box, they raised Approaching the emperor’s box, they raised

their arms in salute and shouted “Hail Caesar! their arms in salute and shouted “Hail Caesar! We who are about to die salute you.”We who are about to die salute you.”

Commonly thought that the crowd waved Commonly thought that the crowd waved handkerchiefs to spare the loser. Thumbs handkerchiefs to spare the loser. Thumbs

pointed down signaled death.pointed down signaled death.

Bread and Circuses Bread and Circuses

Romans had a strong sense of traditional Romans had a strong sense of traditional values. They valued family life.values. They valued family life.

Government provided family support, usually Government provided family support, usually to the to the upper classesupper classes..

Fathers of three or more children received Fathers of three or more children received land from the government. land from the government.

Freeborn mothers of three children & freed Freeborn mothers of three children & freed slaves who had four children were given slaves who had four children were given

certain privileges.certain privileges.

Roman Family LifeRoman Family Life

The head of a Roman household was known The head of a Roman household was known as the as the paterfamiliaspaterfamilias. . This Latin for “father of This Latin for “father of

the family.”the family.”

The paterfamilias could be the father, The paterfamilias could be the father, grandfather or great-grandfather of the grandfather or great-grandfather of the

household.household.

Under Roman law, the Under Roman law, the paterfamiliaspaterfamilias had had absolute powerabsolute power over the entire household. He over the entire household. He

owned everything in it – women, children, owned everything in it – women, children, slaves and furniture.slaves and furniture.

The Roman HouseholdThe Roman Household

The new wife took on the role of a daughter The new wife took on the role of a daughter under the paterfamilias in her new home. under the paterfamilias in her new home.

The amount of freedom a woman in ancient The amount of freedom a woman in ancient Rome enjoyed depended on her husband’s Rome enjoyed depended on her husband’s wealth and status. Wealthy women had a wealth and status. Wealthy women had a

great deal of independence.great deal of independence.

The Role of Woman in Roman SocietyThe Role of Woman in Roman Society

Almost every wealthy family owned slaves.Almost every wealthy family owned slaves.

About About 1/3 of Italy1/3 of Italy was made up of slaves. was made up of slaves.

Household slaves were more fortunate than Household slaves were more fortunate than other slaves. other slaves.

Some slaves were able to save tips or wages Some slaves were able to save tips or wages and buy their freedom.and buy their freedom.

Slavery in RomeSlavery in Rome