Gallery 1: Roman Entertainment
In order to keep the poor citizens of Rome distracted from the hardships they faced, the
government financed free entertainment for them. They opened arenas, like to Coliseum, for citizens to
attend frequent games. Some of these arenas, like the Colosseum, could hold over 50,000 spectators.
The fans would watch boxing matches, chariot races, and gladiator fights. Gladiators were slaves who
were forced to fight to the death for sport. Thousands of fans would look on as the men fought other
men and animals to the death. The citizens would follow their favorite fighter, much like people follow
their favorite professional wrestler today.
Above, Roman Mosaics depict scenes from gladiator battles.
Sometimes, a whole group of men would be forced o fight one another.
Other times they were forced to fight wild animals, important from
Africa and Asia.
Spectators also watched chariot races, similar to car races of today.
Above is a picture of the Colosseum today. The fans would fill the stands around the central
arena. The gladiators and animals would be held in cages, which were located under the main
arena. Once it was time for their fight, they would be brought to the top through a network of
tunnels. They would fight until only one man, or beast, was left standing.
Gallery 2: Roman Art
Roman art was heavily influenced by the Hellenistic Culture. Although many older Greek artwork
depicted romanticized themes focusing on beauty, Roman art was much more realistic. Sculptors and
painters depicted images that focused on the every-day lives of citizens. Roman artists did not simply
“copy” the artwork of the Greeks; they were innovators themselves. Greek artists mastered the
“mosaic.” Mosaics are a type of art in which stones are broken up, and the pieces are glued together to
make intricate pieces of art. These mosaics adorned the walls and floors of wealthy villas. Roman artists
also developed the bas-relief sculpture. This was made by carving a scene into a piece of stone. The
scene was “raised” above the background. Roman artists also developed the “fresco.” Fresco’s were
brightly colored paintings painted on wet stucco walls. The images were used to brighten the drab walls
of the homes of the wealthy.
Roman Mosaic
Roman Bas-Relief
Roman Fresco
Gallery 3: Literature
Roman scholars studied the epic poems and prose of the Ancient Greeks. Although many Roman works
were influenced by their Greek predecessors, the Romans added their own touch to their literature.
Romans were practical people. Under Augustus, Roman literature flourished. Today we refer to this time
as the “Golden Age of Roman Literature.” They valued virtue, justice, loyalty, and strength, and Roman
literature expressed that.
Only the wealthy could read and write, however, because, unlike Greece, there was no public Education
in Rome. Children who did attend school did so from age 7 to age11, and where physically punished
each time they made a mistake. Literature, grammar, and history were taught to children from ages 1215. If students progressed beyond 15, they would study philosophy, law, reasoning, and advanced math.
BkI:1-11 Invocation to the Muse
I sing of arms and the man, he who, exiled by fate,
first came from the coast of Troy to Italy, and to
Lavinian shores – hurled about endlessly by land and sea,
by the will of the gods, by cruel Juno’s remorseless anger,
long suffering also in war, until he founded a city
and brought his gods to Latium: from that the Latin people
came, the lords of Alba Longa, the walls of noble Rome.
Muse, tell me the cause: how was she offended in her
divinity,
how was she grieved, the Queen of Heaven, to drive a man,
noted for virtue, to endure such dangers, to face so many
trials? Can there be such anger in the minds of the gods?
Amores, Book I: Ovid
How to say what it’s like, how hard my mattress
seems, and the sheets won’t stay on the bed,
and the sleepless nights, so long to endure,
tossing with every weary bone of my body in pain?
But, I think, if desire were attacking me I’d feel it.
Surely he’s crept in and skillfully hurt me with secret art.
That’s it: a slender arrow sticks fast in my heart,
and cruel Love lives there, in my conquered chest.
Shall I give in: to go down fighting might bank the fires?
I give in! The burden that’s carried with grace is lighter.
I’ve seen the torch that’s swung about grow brighter
and the still one, on the contrary, quenched.
The Aeneid, written by Virgil, a Roman
writer, follows the journeys of
Aeneas. Aeneas was a soldier in the
Trojan War. Unlike the heroes of
Homer, Aeneas fought on the side of
Trojans. After losing the war, he was
told by the gods to found a new city;
Rome. The epic poem follows the
adventures of Aeneas as he struggles
to reach Italy, and found the city.
Amores is book of love poems,
written by Ovid, a Roman poet. The
book is a compilation of love poems,
dealing with emotions that the
ordinary citizen would have had.
Gallery 4: Architecture
Like the Greeks, the Rome had skilled mathematicians and architects. Many of the structures the Romans
built still stand today.
The Romans developed the architectural innovation; the arch. This innovation allowed the Romans to
build massive structures out of heavy brick. The arch served two purposes. It allowed the builders to
create windows and entry ways for buildings without having to worry about doors. It also allowed
builders to create massive, stable structures. The arch is used as a building tool because, when used in a
structure, it evenly distributes weight through the entire arch. That means each bit of the arch is
supporting the smallest amount of weight possible. This allowed Romans to build massive monuments
such as the Colisseum, aqueducts, and the Pantheon.
The Colessum was a massive, 50,000 seat stadium located in the heart of Rome. Wrestling
matches, chariot races, and gladiator battles were held here. There were once intricate
statues placed in the “windows” of the structure.
The Pantheon was built
during the reign of Emperor
Hadrian. It shows the
Roman architectural
innovation of the dome.
The dome was an
architectural feat because it
allows for the distribution
of weight so that buildings
could be made of heavy
stone, and not collapse in
on themselves.
Gallery 5: Roman Law
Gallery 6: Roman Government
The Roman government evolved over time. It began as a monarchy, developed into a republic – similar to
the United States, and then evolved into an Empire with an imperial monarch at the head. The
democratic ideals dreamed up by the Romans are still seen today in governments across the world.