Roman Republic
Successes (By: Ankita Khera)
Julius Caesar Crosses The Rubicon 7/24/14
Julius Caesar, the former consul, recently marched his army across the Rubicon. Caesar first rose to power during a period of civil unrest. He had worked for years to win the political favor of the Roman Senate. Eventually, he was appointed governor of the Roman province of Spain. In 60 B.C. he, with the help of a business man named Crassus and a popular general named Pompey, was elected consul and ruled for 10 years.
After ten years, Caesar had to step down from power and then became governor of Gaul. During his reign, he extended the borders of Rome further into Gaul and into Britain. His troops were immensely loyal to Caesar because his power and reputation was unmatched. The Roman Senate, under the influence of Pompey, feared Caesar and ordered him to disband his army and return to Rome. Caesar refused and marched his army into Rome across the Rubicon. Pompey and Caesar fought an intense civil war, of which Caesar eventually won.
Caesar then returned to Rome and was named dictator. He has been dictator for about one year now, and has gained the respect of the army and the poor citizens of Rome. One of the first things he did when he became ruler was extend citizenship to more citizens outside of Rome. Time will only tell what will become of this powerful and cunning dictator.
After ten years, Caesar had to step down from power and then became governor of Gaul. During his reign, he extended the borders of Rome further into Gaul and into Britain. His troops were immensely loyal to Caesar because his power and reputation was unmatched. The Roman Senate, under the influence of Pompey, feared Caesar and ordered him to disband his army and return to Rome. Caesar refused and marched his army into Rome across the Rubicon. Pompey and Caesar fought an intense civil war, of which Caesar eventually won.
Caesar then returned to Rome and was named dictator. He has been dictator for about one year now, and has gained the respect of the army and the poor citizens of Rome. One of the first things he did when he became ruler was extend citizenship to more citizens outside of Rome. Time will only tell what will become of this powerful and cunning dictator.
Human Interest 7/24/17
The Roman Senate was expanded to nine hundred members! This allows more people to have a say in government and it reduces power of the patricians. For too long have the patricians been able to abuse their power, but thanks to Caesar everyone will get an equal footing.
The Roman Senate was first implemented many years ago. During the first years of the Roman Republic, the Senate functioned as an advisory council. They were initially patrician and served for life. Before long, plebeians were admitted as well, however they still did not have the same amount of power as the patricians. When Caesar came into power, he changed the number of Senate seats to 900, which allowed more of his followers to serve.
Caesar added more seats to the Senate out of his personal interest. It angered the patricians because now they feel as though they do not have the amount of power they deserve. This may not have been the best idea, and could impact Caesar's rule.
The Roman Senate was first implemented many years ago. During the first years of the Roman Republic, the Senate functioned as an advisory council. They were initially patrician and served for life. Before long, plebeians were admitted as well, however they still did not have the same amount of power as the patricians. When Caesar came into power, he changed the number of Senate seats to 900, which allowed more of his followers to serve.
Caesar added more seats to the Senate out of his personal interest. It angered the patricians because now they feel as though they do not have the amount of power they deserve. This may not have been the best idea, and could impact Caesar's rule.
Daily Life 7/24/14
Like most empire's, a persons quality of life depends on their rank within the social structure. Here I will show you the similarities and difference between life as a rich citizen of Rome (patrician) and the poor citizen (plebeian).
Patricians:
Patricians:
- Live in beautiful houses
- Have an extravagant lifestyle
- Have servants and slaves to cater to their every desire
- Can hold dinner parties
Plebeians:
- Live in shabby, squalid houses
- Have to abandon their child if they can't take care of them
- Are generally the farmers/artisans/crafts people
- Poor in wealth but strong in numbers
Similarities:
- Head of household is the oldest man
- Wife looked after the household
- He decided the fate of his children, and who they would marry
- Ate in the same way
- Everyone visited the bathhouses
As you can see, daily life between the upper and lower class differ quite a bit. Though, the two do share some habits, which makes everyone feel superior to the rest of the world, those habits made them feel Roman.
Sports 7/24/17
Although much of Roman life revolves around negotium(work and business), there is still some time for leisurely activities. These activities range from swimming to playing board games to theatre performances.
One of the most popular recreational areas in Rome is the Campus Martius, a massive floodplain that acts as a playground for the youth of Rome. Here, the boys and men engage in a number of activities, which includes jumping, wrestling, boxing, racing, and throwing. Roman girls and women were generally not permitted to participate in such activities.
Swimming: Swimming is one of the favorite activities of Roman boys. Most Roman baths are equipped with plunge pools, in which swimming was enjoyed.
One of the most popular recreational areas in Rome is the Campus Martius, a massive floodplain that acts as a playground for the youth of Rome. Here, the boys and men engage in a number of activities, which includes jumping, wrestling, boxing, racing, and throwing. Roman girls and women were generally not permitted to participate in such activities.
Swimming: Swimming is one of the favorite activities of Roman boys. Most Roman baths are equipped with plunge pools, in which swimming was enjoyed.
Wrestling and Boxing: This is a very popular sport because it helped to improve overall fitness and build strength and stamina.
Public Entertainment: There are several activities that keep the people of Rome content and prevent uprisings. Some of these include chariot races, musical and theatrical performances, and gladiatorial combat. These were all massive public spectacles, and an important part of Roman culture.
Religion 7/24/14
At first, Romans believed in polytheism. This means that they believed that there were many gods and goddesses. Romans thought that the gods were spirits linked with daily cares such as guarding children's food, protecting homes, and keeping grain supplies safe. Eventually, Romans gave their own names to the Greek gods that were introduced to our culture through trade.
Jupiter: King of the Gods. His Greek name was Zeus. The eagle was his messenger and his weapon was the Thunderbolt.
Juno: Wife of Jupiter and Queen of the Gods. Her Greek name was Hera. She was the goddess of women and marriage, and was also seen as the protector of Roman state. Her bird was the peacock.
Apollo: Apollo was the god of sun and music. Each day he rode his chariot of fiery horses across the sky to give light to the world.
Diana: The goddess of the moon, hunting, and childbirth. Her twin brother was Apollo. Diana carried a bow and arrows. Her Greek name was Artemis.
Minerva: The goddess of wisdom, learning, the arts, sciences, medicines, dyeing, trade, and war. Her symbol was the owl, and her Greek name was Artemis.
Venus: Originally she was the goddess of gardens and vineyards, she later became the deity of love and beauty after the influx of Greek deities. Her Greek name was Aphrodite.
The Romans also believed that a person's spirit went to the underworld after the person died.
Jupiter: King of the Gods. His Greek name was Zeus. The eagle was his messenger and his weapon was the Thunderbolt.
Juno: Wife of Jupiter and Queen of the Gods. Her Greek name was Hera. She was the goddess of women and marriage, and was also seen as the protector of Roman state. Her bird was the peacock.
Apollo: Apollo was the god of sun and music. Each day he rode his chariot of fiery horses across the sky to give light to the world.
Diana: The goddess of the moon, hunting, and childbirth. Her twin brother was Apollo. Diana carried a bow and arrows. Her Greek name was Artemis.
Minerva: The goddess of wisdom, learning, the arts, sciences, medicines, dyeing, trade, and war. Her symbol was the owl, and her Greek name was Artemis.
Venus: Originally she was the goddess of gardens and vineyards, she later became the deity of love and beauty after the influx of Greek deities. Her Greek name was Aphrodite.
The Romans also believed that a person's spirit went to the underworld after the person died.