Roman Republic Overview

Public classes lacked formal structure, relying on oral reports and presentations to assess student understanding.

Families often used tutors or fathers' direct instruction to educate children. Fathers saw education as a way to gain respect and acclaim.

Teenagers seeking higher education frequently travelled to Greece for lessons in philosophy, mathematics, and astronomy.

Fully-educated Romans pursued careers in architecture, politics (senators), and the military (generals). These roles shaped Roman culture.

Roman architecture, forums, and military strength had widespread and long-lasting influence, shaping civilizations.

Slaves legally freed by their masters, who could become citizens and, if males, even serve in the Senate, but could not run for office.

The central marketplace in ancient Rome, where citizens bought various goods, from food to luxury items.

A system of channels and pipes built to carry fresh water into cities and remove wastewater.

Rome's first aqueduct, built by Appius Claudius Caecus in 312 BCE.

A building material made of a wet mixture of small rocks, ceramics, other debris, gypsum, quicklime, and pozzolana. This mix was essential to Roman architecture, especially for aqueducts.

The design and construction of Roman cities, focusing on sanitation and water management, especially with public aqueducts, sewage systems and marketplaces.

A system built by Romans, based on gravity, to guide wastewater from Roman cities.

The Roman who designed and built Rome's first aqueduct, the Aqua Appia. This design proved so effective that ten more were created in a century.

Roman concrete, using pozzolana, was exceptionally strong and resistant to cracking, even more so than modern concrete.

Pozzolana, a volcanic ash, enhanced the durability and water resistance of Roman concrete.

Roman education, primarily for wealthy children, focused on grammar, basic arithmetic, literature, and for boys, Greek and Roman studies.

Roman girls' education was limited and usually ended by the age of 12, generally prioritized being married.

Roman education and cultural practices were heavily influenced by the ancient Greeks.

Homer and Hesiod were influential Greek poets, whose works were used in Roman education.

Roman education was not mandatory or publicly funded.

A type of gladiator known for his finned helmet, three-foot shield, and long sword. He lacked extensive body armor.

A gladiator armed with a shield and sword, wearing armor. He was typically a foot soldier.

A gladiator who fought on horseback.

A gladiator who fought from a chariot.

Gladiators came in many forms, from foot soldiers to horsemen and even chariot fighters. Audiences enjoyed the variety.

Women fought in arenas in the 1st and 2nd centuries CE but were banned by Emperor Septimius Severus.

New gladiators were forced to swear an oath to obey orders or face punishment.

Gladiators were unlikely to form strong friendships, due to language barriers and difficult living conditions.

Spartacus initially planned to lead his army through the Alps, allowing each soldier to return to their homeland (Thrace or Gaul).

The Roman Senate was alarmed not only by Spartacus's rebellion, but also by the brutality and success of the slave army, who had ravaged Italy.

Marcus Crassus was appointed by Roman consuls to crush Spartacus's rebellion, leading a 40,000-strong army against the slaves.

Surrounded by the Roman army and his comrades having fled, Spartacus fought bravely until he was killed.

After Spartacus was defeated, 6,000 surviving slaves were crucified along the road to Rome, and others were returned to gladiator camps.

Public spectacles in ancient Rome where trained fighters (gladiators) engaged in combat, often to the death, for the entertainment of the masses.

A massive amphitheater in Rome, built in 80 CE, capable of holding 50,000 spectators, primarily used for gladiator competitions and public events.

Gladiators were often slaves or prisoners of war, trained for combat and forced to compete in public spectacles for the entertainment of the Roman people. Not all gladiators fought to the death.

Gladiators were categorized by their fighting styles and weaponry, competing with skilled opponents in different classes, creating a variety of spectacles.

Gladiator competitions were a major part of Roman entertainment, alongside theatrical performances, dancing, and musical compositions, showing the Roman's diverse cultural tastes.

Gladiator games provide insight into the Roman psyche, contrasting their pursuit of sophistication and intelligence with a fascination for violence and spectacle.

The Colosseum was built to cater to the Romans' thirst for blood and spectacle, providing a grand stage for gladiatorial combats and public events.

The Colosseum was not just for gladiatorial games. It was used for theater performances, public executions, and even simulated sea battles, reflecting its versatility and symbolic importance.