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How far did Roman
punishments reflect
Roman society?
By the end of the lesson you should be
able to.....
•Explain some of the crimes and
punishments handed out in Roman Britain
•Explain why these punishments were
given
•Evaluate how far punishments reflected
society
Starter
In your book, write ‘Roman Punishment’
in the centre of your page. Using the
images, you should write down the
different types of punishments you can
identify.
You should then think about words that
best describe the punishments you can
see. Include these on your mind map.
A Roman carving depicting a noblemen being exiled.
A drawing depicting a criminal being pushed off Tarpeian Rock.
A drawing depicting a criminal being flogged.
A Mosaic depicting a Bear devouring a criminal.
Roman Crucifixions
Some criminals were forced to become Gladiators.
Task
Order the punishments in degree
of severity. Place the most severe
at the top and the least severe at
the bottom.
You must be able to explain your
decision!
Write the most severe and least severe in your books!
Task
Look at the crime cards in front of you. You should categorise
them into three groups:
Minor Crime
More Serious Crime
Most Severe Crime
Once you have had your answers checked – you should record
them on your sheet.
Using the information sheet you should then add the
different punishments that match the crimes.
Grade B-A* = Answer extension questions in your book!
Describe the ways in
which the Roman
approach to crime and
punishment reflected
Roman Society.
(9 marks)
Describe the ways in which the Roman approach to crime and punishment
reflected Roman Society. (9 marks)
1-3
marks
• Answer will contain general comments but will
lack detail.
• E.g. Punishments were harsh.
4-6
marks
• Answer will describe one or two aspects with
more detail.
• E.g. Examples of how crimes carrying the death
penalty were used as a deterrent.
7-9
marks
• The answer will make secure links between
features of society, and crime and punishment.
• E.g. Crimes against the Emperor
• E.g. Punishment of slaves
Roman Punishments
The most frequent crimes were lesser ones such as small-scale theft or selling under-weight
bread. Burglaries and street-crimes involving robbery were also common. Riots at games, chariot
races, and gladiatorial contests also took place from time to time.
The most serious crimes were considered to be those that challenged the authority of those in
power. The Roman Empire was made up of many different countries and peoples, and anything that
threatened this was seen as a dreadful crime. As such people who rebelled or plotted against the
Emperor and Empire were given the most harsh punishments.
The Emperor of Rome was worshiped as part of the official civic religion. People who refused to do
this were seen as particularly dangerous. When Christians refused, they were severely punished.
The big idea of Roman punishment was to deter potential criminals by harsh punishment.
Romans made punishments harsh in the belief that this would deter other people from committing
crimes. Prisons were not used as a method of punishments, they were only used to hold people until
their trial. Executions were common, and were held in public for people to see. However, how you
were punished depended on who you were.
Roman Punishments
Citizens (ordinary Romans)
Citizens could be put to death for serious crimes such as:
Arson, attacking the Emperor, robbing temples and stealing farm animals.
For less serious crimes such as theft and selling underweight bread, punishments included:
whipping, confiscation of property, or repaying the cost of goods.
For most severe crimes, such as rebellion and religious non-conformity (not following the correct
religion) punishments ranged from:
Execution by crucifix, being thrown to the lions, being forced to become a Gladiator.
Nobles
A nobleman was a person with high political or social status.
Due to their position and power a nobleman could be sentenced to death for serious crimes but
they were allowed to go into exile (they were sent away permanently from society).
Slaves
Slaves were treated most harshly out of all the classes in Roman society. If a slave murdered or
tried to murder the master of their house ALL of the slaves in the household were crucified.
Legionaries
Soldiers who ran away in battle faced execution. One in every ten men from the legion that they
ran away from was chosen randomly and also executed. This was called decimation.
Arson
Robbing
Temples
Stealing
farm
animals
Attacking
the
Emperor
Religious nonconformity
Murder
(E.g. Christians refusing to
worship the Emperor)
Selling
Underweight
Bread
Rebellion
An act of violence
or defiance against
the Emperor.
Slaves
plotting to kill
their master.
Theft
A Roman carving depicting a noblemen being exiled.
Minor Crime
Examples of punishments given:
Most Severe Crime
More Serious Crime
Examples of punishments given:
Answer these questions in your book.
How were noblemen treated differently to other people in
society?
Grade B-A* = Why do you think Slaves and
Legionaries given these types of punishments?
Examples of punishments given:
Grade B-A*= Why do you think the examples given for
Most Severe Crime were viewed so seriously?
Minor Crime
Theft
Selling underweight-bread
ANSWER SHEET
More Serious Crime
Murder
Robbing Temples
Stealing Farm Animals
Arson
Examples of punishments given:
Examples of punishments given:
Most Severe Crime
Rebellion
Religious non-conformity
Attacking the Emperor
Slaves plotting to kill their master
Examples of punishments given:
Answer these questions in your book.
How were noblemen treated differently to other people in
society?
Grade B-A* = Why do you think Slaves and
Legionaries given these types of punishments?
Grade B-A*= Why do you think the examples given for
Most Severe Crime were viewed so seriously?
Describe the ways in which the Roman approach to crime and punishment reflected
Roman Society. (9 marks)
Begin by describing the structure of society. (Think about who was important and who was not)
Identify three or four punishments and explain how these reflected society e.g. Christians being punished very
severely because they challenged the Emperor by refusing to worship him.
How will I be marked?
Mark:
1-3 marks
• Answer will contain general comments but will lack detail.
• E.g. Punishments were harsh.
4-6 marks
• Answer will describe one or two aspects with more detail.
• E.g. Examples of how crimes carrying the death penalty were used
as a deterrent.
7-9 marks
• The answer will make secure links between features of society,
and crime and punishment.
• E.g. Crimes against the Emperor
• E.g. Punishment of slaves
What you need to do next time to improve this type of question: