Knowledge of an aspect of a Roman civilisation

Roman Civilisation: The Roman Empire

The Roman Empire began in 27 BC when Gaius Octavius, known as Augustus, became the first Emperor.
Despite being a dictatorship in practice, Augustus retained the facade of a republic to avoid the negative connotations associated with the word ‘king’.
Rome was the capital of the Roman Empire covering three continents including Europe, Africa, and Asia at its territorial peak.

Emperors and Political Power

The Roman Emperor had absolute power, including the ability to declare war and peace.
The stability of the Roman Peace (Pax Romana), lasting from 27 BC to 180 AD, was maintained by a professional and disciplined Roman army.
Succession to the emperorship was often unstable, and many emperors met violent and abrupt ends.

Daily Life in Rome

Life in Rome varied significantly for the rich and the poor. The rich often lived in spacious, comfortable houses with hot water, while poor Romans lived in cramped apartment blocks.
Despite the societal inequalities, Rome had a number of public amenities available for all citizens, such as baths, theatres, and chariot races.
A citizen’s diet differed greatly based on their wealth. The poor might only have bread, vegetables, and occasional meat, while the rich could afford exotic fruits, spices, and different sorts of meat.

Roman Religion

Religion played a significant part in daily Roman life. The Romans worshipped a pantheon of gods and goddesses, each responsible for different aspects of life.
The emperor was considered to be divine, leading to the practice of the Imperial Cult, where emperors were worshipped as gods.
The Roman religion was highly ritualistic and ceremonies were held for everything, from military victories to everyday actions like leaving the house.

Roman Law

Roman law was very advanced for its time, and has greatly influenced the legal systems in many western countries.
Innocence until proven guilty was a fundamental concept in Roman law.
People could represent themselves in court, or hire a lawyer. The legal process was generally considered fair, although the elites had certain advantages.

Slavery in Rome

It’s estimated that as much as one-third of Rome’s population was enslaved.
Slaves in Rome were primarily prisoners of war, victims of slave raids, or born into slavery.
Slaves were the legal property of their owners, but still had a few rights, such as the ability to earn money and buy their freedom.

Remarkably, Roman civilisation, despite its significant flaws and inequalities, created a long-lasting empire that contributed to shaping the world as we know it today. Its legal, political, and social structures provided a framework inherited and adapted by many of the world’s societies.