Ancient rome
Rome's cities were the greatest of the ancient world, and many cities have survived and become modern metropolises. Others did not survive, such as the buried city of Pompeii, whose destruction by volcanic ash froze it in time for over a thousand years. Aspects of everyday life can be seen from Roman cities- the social, economic, political, and religious. The most obvious Roman social custom that can be studied through archaeology is the attraction to huge spectacle entertainments. Pompeii had its own amphitheater long before the capital city did. This custom seems to have begun in the provinces. Large public buildings were filled with people ready to see gladiatorial fights, Greek dramas, public executions, and chariot races. The games in Rome were only held on certain days, decided by the emperor, but people were very passionate about their favorite racing teams and gladiators all the same. The spectacles were also places where people could shout petitions to the emperor, gamble on the races, and flirt wit
Some claim that "the prostitutes" or "the thieves" support certain candidates. The so-called "mystery religions" were popular with city-dwellers. The average citizen paid taxes on various things, such as, lawsuits, inheritances, and manumission of slaves. In periods of economic trouble, emperors such as Nero debased the coinage as a quick way to raise funds of precious metal. By the time of the city's death in 79CE, there were probably very few, if any, Christians there. But is this a joke or a slander, or were the thieves and prostitutes actual voting blocs? No one knows. Christianity had not really taken off yet. Official religion had been on the decline for many years, but the ordinary people still worshipped their household gods, or lares. The lares were descended from the gods of hearth, pantry, and crossroads that were worshipped by the earliest Romans. Eumachia made her fortune in the wool trade and was the richest woman in Pompeii. This would cause inflation to erupt, and was very unpopular with the people, who could feel the difference in the lightened coins. Isis was an Egyptian mother goddess who gathered up the pieces of her dead lover, who had been murdered by his evil brother, and brought him back to life again. The fertile Nile Valley was the breadbasket of the empire. Coins were made of gold, silver, or copper, to a standard set by the emperor.
Common topics in this essay:
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Nile Valley,
Isis Egyptian,
Greeks Worship,
Judaism Christianity,
Romans Official,
Christians Christianity,
official religion,
popular mystery cult,
paid taxes,
religion popular,
wool trade,
mystery cult,
popular mystery,
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Acceptance Essays
