Rome: A Site of Encounter

Discover ancient Rome as a vibrant 'site of encounter'!

Site of Encounter - Rome (27 B.C.E.–476 C.E.) Rome was the capital of a very large republic and an enormous empire. Through Rome’s extensive trade networks, products from across the eastern hemisphere flowed into the city. Merchants from across the world, other people who had business in Rome, and those who came to see the sights mingled with the native people. Rome went from a city where people were very similar to a site of encounter.A site of encounter is a location in which products, ideas, and technologies from different cultures come together. Encounters happen both when people pass through a location, as well as when people move from their birthplace and settle in new areas, creating multicultural societies. The interactions and exchanges between peoples and cultures often leads to new creations, such as new products, technologies, and ideas. Roman Technology Innovation Ancient Rome's construction demonstrates the skill of Roman architects and engineers. Some buildings and structures, like aqueducts and public baths, served the daily needs of the people. Others, like triumphal arches and amphitheater buildings, such as the famed Colosseum, were built for military or entertainment reasons.An aqueduct is a complex series of connected tunnels and pipes. Water can be brought from faraway distances using aqueducts. Roman engineers used precise calculations over long distances ensured a steady flow of water into the city.Public baths were places in Rome where water was always needed. Here, both the rich and poor often relaxed while they bathed, swam, exercised, and enjoyed a steam bath or a massage. The baths also had gardens, libraries, shops, and art galleries. They provide health and social benefits.Triumphal arches were grand structures built all over the empire to commemorate military victories and other significant events such as a new emperor. They served no practical purpose and were often richly decorated with architectural details.Gladiators were often slaves or prisoners of war who fought in the Colosseum, another architectural success in Rome. Crowds would shout as the gladiators fought each other and wild animals to the death. Although some won or bought their freedom eventually, many thousands of gladiators died bloody and painful deaths for the entertainment of the spectators. The Colosseum and other arenas was also used more frequently for chariot races as horses pulled riders around the stadium. Roman Achievements On the tag for each picture, identify the Roman achievement shown. Use each of the following words once. Spelling counts!-aqueduct-Colosseum-public bath-triumphal arch aqueduct public bath Colosseum triumphal arch Roman Citizenship Rome is unusual in that the definition of full citizenship changed over time. Citizens of the republic began as a small patrician group who were deeply involved with governing Rome. At first, only men could be full citizens. They had the right to vote and to serve in the government, and with those two things came control of Rome’s present and future. They also the right to own, buy, and sell property. Mostly only wealthy landowners could be considered full citizens, although some men earned full citizenship through military service.Some of Rome's early leaders wanted to extend full citizenship to their allies in the Italian peninsula. The Senate warned that if these people became citizens they would overrun the city. With full citizenship came the right to vote and own property, so some senators were concerned about losing their control and way of life. The wealthy feared how this would threaten their power and the poor feared what it would do their jobs.Both Julius Caesar and Caesar Augustus (Octavian) extended citizenship to the Roman provinces, such as Spain and Gaul. Then, in 212 C.E., Emperor Marcus Aurelius made citizenship apply to every free man who lived somewhere controlled by Rome. Since these leaders ruled without a functioning republic government, the right to vote had become mostly symbolic. The idea was that more citizens would increase support for the empire or help things run smoothly since they had a more solid stake in the success of the empire. It didn't always work out that way.*It should be noted that Roman women were considered citizens; however, they had few, if any, legal rights. Shifts in Roman Citizenship How did citizenship change throughout the history of the Roman Empire? Do you think these changes were beneficial for the empire? Why or why not?(Use complete sentences to answer all 3 questions.) Roman Economy An empire also needs a strong economy to feed its people, provide necessary goods as well as luxuries, and pay for its armies and government. A key part of any economy is trade. As the empire grew, the Romans promoted trade by improving trade routes and providing a single currency, or form of money.The Romans had multiple ways of trading. There were established land routes, like the Silk Road, that brought them goods from faraway places like China. They also traded on the sea, which was faster and cheaper than trading over land. Despite these advantages, though, sea trade was riskier than land. Boats faced a number of dangers, including pirates and bad weather. While it lasted, the Pax Romana (Roman Peace) provided the order and stability that trade required. The Roman army and navy made the roads and sea routes safe for traders. Romans were able to improve these trade routes and create new ones. They built harbors, canals, and a vast system of roads. In turn, trade helped the economy grow.Traders traveling by land and sea connected people and goods throughout the empire. From Spain came wine, olive oil, copper, and gold. Britain sold its tin and wool. Gaul produced olives, wine, glass, and pottery. Linen and wood were shipped from Asia Minor (present-day Turkey) and Syria. Egypt provided papyrus, which was used to make paper, as well as vast amounts of grain. Every year vast grain fleets sailed from Egypt and other areas of Africa, bringing much-needed food to Rome. Trade also brought valuable goods from outside the empire. Caravans delivered goods to busy port cities on the Mediterranean. From West Africa came gold, incense, and ivory, luxuries such as ostrich eggs, and even animals such as leopards and elephants. From even further came Chinese silk and Indian spices, medicines, and jewels. People in each area of the empire could sell what they grew or made to people in other areas who could use these goods. They could also buy things that they couldn't produce for themselves.The people who made up the Roman Empire came from many cultures and spoke many languages. The Romans knew that people needed a standard way of exchanging money if trade was to flourish. So, the government produced currency in the form of coins. Coins were made of silver, gold, and sometimes bronze. The value of each coin was equal to the value of the metal it contained. Everyone learned to use the same coins, which made it much easier to set prices and to buy and sell goods (and pay taxes). The Romans, then, used coins not only to make trade easier but also to unify the empire. While Roman currency remained strong, it helped the empire to prosper. In the later years of the empire, Roman coins lost a good part of their value. This was one sign of a weakening economy—and of mounting troubles in the empire. Roman Trade Routes Sort the advantages and dangers that traders in the Roman Empire experienced. Advantages of Trade by Water During the Pax Romana, the Roman army and navy provided protection Rome invested in harbors, canals, and roads to create more trade routes Traveling through waterways could be faster and cheaper Dangers of Trade by Water Bad weather and storms could cause shipwrecks Pirates would attack and rob merchants Trade across Afroeurasia Match the trade resources to their location of origin (the place where they came from). Each location and resource will only be used once. Spain olive oil Britain wool Egypt grain West Africa gold India spices China silk What were benefits of having a single currency across the entire Roman Empire?(There are two correct answer choices.) It helped to unify the empire. It led to fewer businesses and merchants. It made it easier to set prices for buying and selling goods. It prevented counterfeit (fake) currency.