Download Life during Pax Romana

Life During Pax Romana
-The Law-New laws called “jus gentium” applied to
non- citizens. As emperors granted
citizenship to more people, these laws
combined with the “jus civile,” or citizen law,
to make one law code.
-Laws generally stressed the authority of the
state over the individual, gave definitive legal
rights (innocent until proven guilty).
Life During Pax Romana
Imperial Army
-Emperors maintained a professional army.
-During the peaceful time, the size of the
military was reduced and the fighting forces
were recruited from the provinces of Rome.
-With about 300,000 troops, the Romans had
trouble defending their borders that ran about
4,000 miles.
Life During Pax Romana
The Economy
-Artisans in Italy made “everyday” goods for
sale throughout the empire. In return, the
provinces sent luxury items gathered in trade
with Asia to Italy.
-Ships brought in raw materials/metals from
areas throughout Rome.
Life During Pax Romana
Architecture and Science
-Circus Maximus and the Colosseum
-Pantheon and Hadrian’s Wall
-Appian Way
-Aqueducts and arches
-Greek physician Galen – basis for Roman
medicine
-Ptolemy (not the one that ruled Egypt!) –
advancements in Roman astonomy
Life During Pax Romana
Education
-Studied “borrowed” knowledge
-Wealthy boys and girls receive private
lessons at home.
-Wealthy young men eventually go to
academies to study geometry, astronomy,
philosophy, and oratory.
-Many wealthy women continued to study at
home.
-Lower classes – basic knowledge of reading,
writing, and arithmetic.
Life During Pax Romana
Language and Literature
-Lingua Franca – Latin
-Smaller vocabulary than Greek and English
-Basis of Romance languages
-Horace – Poet – “Odes”
-Virgil – Epic Poet (like Greek Homer) –
Aeneid