How Did Family Life Change Throughout The Roman Empire

Between 500 BCE and 500 CE, the Roman civilization experienced changes both politically and culturally. Firstly, Rome’s government transitioned from a Republic to an Empire. Later, that empire was split into two parts; east and west. In terms of changes in culture, it was impacted by the shift in religion, as the Romans shifted from polytheism to monotheism. Despite all the changes, Rome still remained culturally diverse.

During Pax Romana it was more peaceful than usual, inside the empire and with other places; money was not being spent on war; so the art, architecture, and economy was good. Before Pax Romana the leader of Rome tried to make peace with Parthia, but failed. The task was left to Augustus, who arranged to give back the Parthian king’s son in exchange for the Roman treasures. Since the trade happened peacefully and with out bloodshed Augustus became famous and got his face on Roman coins. Throughout this time period Rome was leader in law, government, engineering, and literature. The Roman alphabet was made and set as normal. Comfortable cities had water, sewage systems, public baths, and heating.

The decline in moral values in ancient Rome was much like the Unites States today. Crimes made the streets extremely unsafe and gladiator fights were exceedingly popular. This isn’t much different from what we see today. Crime rates in the U.S are continuing to rise, and many people enjoy observing violence, such as gory movies, boxing, and video games that encourage fighting. There were 32,000 prostitutes in Rome, and there are more than 100,000 in the Unites

They had many things that we as Americans utilize in our current culture. Many of the main Roman influences include government, art, entertainment, and construction.

The Roman lives were based on the Twelve Tables, which were their written laws enforced by the government. The Twelve Tables were stable for over a millennium until the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 A.D. The Romans were able to keep control through fair legal rights basically saying any crime was intolerable, but could be solved in a court case to determine the fate of the criminal. The Romans were half democratic and gave the people some voice by selecting representatives. This ruling helped decimate any crime and prevent murder. Although there are many positives to this ruling, innocent newborns with a deformity were ruthlessly killed. (Doc. 6)

Rome began in 31 BCE when Augustus Caesar became the first emperor of Rome, and the Roman empire was a significant and powerful western civilization with a complex political, religious, and social system by 117 CE (Mark, Roman Empire). From the parallel streets in cities of the Roman empire to the layout of the Roman forum to the living structures of the different classes, the Roman empire at this time was highly organized and methodical. And these are but a few examples of the power and authority of the Roman empire, which clearly put the citizens in their place. Looking at Rome and Pompeii, ancient art, building structures, and city layouts clearly stratified citizens based on economic and social status.

Entertainment was essential to daily life in Ancient Rome.  According to Juvenal1, it seemed that all Romans were interested in was "bread and circuses,"  and with theatres, amphitheatres, gambling, drama and public baths galore, the Romans never seemed to get bored.

In Ancient Rome, city life was chaotic and cluttered. Even through all this hustle and bustle, they still had leisure time to do things for fun. Live entertainment played a major role in their city lives; this was mostly because it was free (Williams). A popular pastime was watching Gladiator fights at the Coliseum. Gladiator fights were where two men would compete in matches against one another (Williams). Man pitted against man was common entertainment, but the gladiators would also battle against lions and tigers (Williams). Today’s society still enjoys adrenaline packed entertainment, but Coliseums have become movie theatres, and Gladiator fights have become action movies (Williams). Even tic-tac-toe, a common pastime game, has roots in the Roman Empire. Romans enjoyed watching

The Roman way of life is different and similar to modern day. Though one may not know much over the Roman’s the culture is fascinating and still remembered in history. The clothes, food, customs, and leisure are major in Roman lifestyle.

Like the USA, Ancient Rome lived on a base of society and culture. Like us modern Americans, the Ancient Roman’s enjoyed sports and would go to stadiums to cheer on their favorite fighters or teams. Americans also show an interest in Ancient Rome, movies such as Gladiator, which grossed $457 million and Ben-Hur (1956) which became the second highest grossing movie of its time.

What was the average life like in the ancient Roman empire? Living from 8 b.c. to 5 a.d. was very different from today. Although we may not know many things about their lifestyle, we also know a number of things of the average Roman’s life. Although the life of each individual differred vastly, life had similarities for everyone. The life of an average Roman citizen, was in its own, a life, with not much true arguable pleasures. However if taken right, could have been a life worth living.

Pax Romana is Latin for Roman peace. The Pax Romana lasted approaching two centuries beginning toward the end of the BC period and extending almost halfway into the second century AD. For the Roman Empire, this was a period of peace and saw little military action or expansion. Caesar Augustus, previously known as Julius Caesar commenced the Pax Romana after Rome was no longer considered a republic and the civil wars within Rome ceased. Yet another event that marks the commencement of Pax Romana was the defeat of Marc Antony by Octavian Augustus at the famous battle of Actium. The Pax Romana, like any form of social change, was not immediate, but a feat that was accomplished over time. While there may have been peace in Rome, battles continued in the Alps and areas that are now known as Spain. There were many benefits to the Pax Romana and the paper puts focus on those, which are economic. The paper also references Plutarch, a prominent figure during this period, indicating a relationship between the Pax Romana and social mobility.

Greco-Roman Family Response The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians is during a time when the Greco-Roman era had a strong influence on the structure of the family. The concept of the paterfamilias, who is the dominant figure in the household and has all authority over the family, can be likened to the relationship God the Father has in His family. Just as the father of a Greco-Roman family is the head, so is God the Father, the head of His family and all believers are His children. God the Father is all powerful, and Apostle Paul gives us insight into the structure of those in His family.

The Roman nuclear family, composed of parents and children, shared lives intimately and influenced each other in ways outsiders did not. Livy, in a quote debating the legal status of children between patricians and plebeians, stated “Of course, the children follow the father.” In Roman society, fathers were considered the most powerful. Romans believed in a theoretical concept of a father’s absolute control, but in reality, all family had power and fathers could be challenged.

Ancient Rome’s culture has existed throughout the almost 1200- year history of the civilization of Ancient Rome. Ancient Rome adapted most of their culture from their neighbors the Greeks and Etruscans. Ancient Rome culture has been affecting our modern world from colosseums and satre, for entertainment, to the name of Roman gods, for constellations. In Ancient Rome their entertainment included gladiator fighting and Roman Theater. Ancient Rome’s arts were greatly influenced on the art Ancient Greece. Sculpture played an important role on Roman daily life; they would symbol honor, power, and wealth. Homes of the Roman people were often filled with paintings called (frescos) which were directly painted on walls. Most of Ancient Rome’s culture and Arts has affected our modern world and daily life.