Ancient Rome was a very influential and powerful civilization which impacted the world in such a way that many of modern-day countries still using many of the concepts that it introduced over two and a half millenniums ago. One aspect of the Ancient Roman period that still fascinates people to this day is their culture.
Religion
The ancient Romans had a polytheistic religion, focusing primarily on gods and goddesses(via Tom Holland). These gods and goddesses represented an important part of human life, ranging from psychological gifts(wisdom and love), to physical abilities(farming and hunting), and even things such as times of the day, areas of the earth and musical abilities.
The ancient Romans had a polytheistic religion, focusing primarily on gods and goddesses(via Tom Holland). These gods and goddesses represented an important part of human life, ranging from psychological gifts(wisdom and love), to physical abilities(farming and hunting), and even things such as times of the day, areas of the earth and musical abilities.
Art, Writing, & Philosophy
Architecture was a large part of Roman culture, with building made specifically for all sorts of events. Temples, amphitheatres, libraries, and even coliseums were built for the use of the public(via Ancient Roman Art & Architecture).
Sculpting was also a popular hobby for artists. Known for the sharp realism etched into rock, some of the world’s best-known sculptures come from ancient Rome. Some examples are Augustus Prima Porta, Personification of the Nile River, and The Laocoon.
Other forms of popular art during this period were murals, mosaics, and painting depicting gods, portraits, still life and landscapes(via Tom Holland).
This time also held great philosophers and writers such as Lucius Livius, Plotinus and Pliny the Elder. Many of their writing focused on their polytheistic religion.
Architecture was a large part of Roman culture, with building made specifically for all sorts of events. Temples, amphitheatres, libraries, and even coliseums were built for the use of the public(via Ancient Roman Art & Architecture).
Sculpting was also a popular hobby for artists. Known for the sharp realism etched into rock, some of the world’s best-known sculptures come from ancient Rome. Some examples are Augustus Prima Porta, Personification of the Nile River, and The Laocoon.
Other forms of popular art during this period were murals, mosaics, and painting depicting gods, portraits, still life and landscapes(via Tom Holland).
This time also held great philosophers and writers such as Lucius Livius, Plotinus and Pliny the Elder. Many of their writing focused on their polytheistic religion.
(Image via http://booksofart.com/ancient-art/roman-art/)
Entertainment
One of the ancient Romans’ most remembered and revered forms of entertainment were gladiators. These were mostly men (and on occasion women) who fought in coliseums for the entertainment of the public. Oftentimes these men were slaves, prisoners of war, or criminals who were put into the arena to fight, often to the death(via Explore Ancient Cultures). Professional gladiators were volunteers from the Roman society who looked for fame and appreciation from his fellow people. Another popularly adopted form of entertainment is Roman theatre. Much of it was derived from Greek theatre, mimicking many of the stories of great people that were made famous from Roman and Grecian mythology. They also represented their religion, with many plays focusing around the gods and goddesses that they worshipped(via Tom Holland). (Image via http://ancientromanartarchitecture.weebly.com)
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(Image via http://karenswhimsy.com/roman-gladiators.shtm)
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Bibliography
Hatzigeorigou, Karen J. “Roman Gladiators.” Public Domain Images. 2013. <http://karenswhimsy.com/roman- gladiators.shtm>
Holland, Tom. “Rome: Emperors and Poets.” Guides to the Ancient World. 8 November, 2010. <http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2010/nov/08/ancient-world-rome.>
Sooke, Alastair. “Sculpture of ancient Rome: The shock of the old” State of the Art. 2 May, 2013. <http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20130419-the-shock-of-the-old.>
“Ancient Roman Art & Architecture.” 2013. <http://ancientromanartarchitecture.weebly.com/>
“Ancient Rome.” Explore/World Cultures. <http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/cultures/europe/ancient_rome.aspx.>
Books of Art. “Roman Art.” 2013. <http://booksofart.com/ancient-art/roman-art/>
Travelet. “To the Ancient Rome and Back.” Featured Articles. November 2012. <http://www.travelet.com/2008/11/to-the-ancient-rome-and-back/>
Hatzigeorigou, Karen J. “Roman Gladiators.” Public Domain Images. 2013. <http://karenswhimsy.com/roman- gladiators.shtm>
Holland, Tom. “Rome: Emperors and Poets.” Guides to the Ancient World. 8 November, 2010. <http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2010/nov/08/ancient-world-rome.>
Sooke, Alastair. “Sculpture of ancient Rome: The shock of the old” State of the Art. 2 May, 2013. <http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20130419-the-shock-of-the-old.>
“Ancient Roman Art & Architecture.” 2013. <http://ancientromanartarchitecture.weebly.com/>
“Ancient Rome.” Explore/World Cultures. <http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/cultures/europe/ancient_rome.aspx.>
Books of Art. “Roman Art.” 2013. <http://booksofart.com/ancient-art/roman-art/>
Travelet. “To the Ancient Rome and Back.” Featured Articles. November 2012. <http://www.travelet.com/2008/11/to-the-ancient-rome-and-back/>