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Raatma
The Let’s See Library from Compass Point Books introduces young readers to a range of fascinating subjects. Each book in the Let’s See Library contains full-color images and easy-to-read text. A glossary, Did You Know? and Want to Know More? resources, and an index are included.
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Ancient Rome
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Ancient Civilizations
Ancient Rome
Look for all the books in the Let’s See Library::
by Lucia Raatma
by Lucia Raatma
Content Adviser: Michael Danti, Ph.D., Research Specialist, Near East Section, University of Pennsylvania Museum, Philadelphia Reading Adviser: Dr. Linda D. Labbo, Department of Reading Education, College of Education, The University of Georgia
Let’s See Library Compass Point Books Minneapolis, Minnesota
Compass Point Books 3722 West 50th Street, #115 Minneapolis, MN 55410
Table of Contents
Visit Compass Point Books on the Internet at www.compasspointbooks.com or e-mail your request to
[email protected] What Was Ancient Rome?
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Cover: Colosseum, Rome, Italy
Who Were the Ancient Romans?
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Photographs ©: Dallas and John Heaton/Corbis, cover; Stock Montage, 6, 14, 18, 20; North Wind Picture Archives, 8, 10, 12, 16.
What Kind of Daily Life Did They Have?
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What Was the Religion of Ancient Rome?
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What Did Romans Do for Fun?
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What Kind of Government Did They Have?
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What Kind of Work Did They Do?
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What Arts Were Important in Ancient Rome?
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How Do We Remember Ancient Rome?
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Glossary
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Did You Know?
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Want to Know More?
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Index
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Editors: E. Russell Primm, Emily J. Dolbear, and Pam Rosenberg Photo Researcher: Svetlana Zhurkina Photo Selector: Linda S. Koutris Designer: Melissa Voda Cartographer: XNR Productions, Inc. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Raatma, Lucia. Ancient Rome / by Lucia Raatma. p. cm. — (Let’s see library) Summary: Describes the history, government, people, culture, aspects of daily life, and enduring legacy of ancient Rome. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-7565-0292-6 1. Rome—Civilization—Juvenile literature. [1. Rome—Civilization.] I. Title. II. Series. DG77 .R16 2002 937—dc21 2002003040
© 2003 by Compass Point Books All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The publisher takes no responsibility for the use of any of the materials or methods described in this book, nor for the products thereof. Printed in the United States of America.
What Was Ancient Rome? Palatine Hill is one of seven hills along the Tiber
N
North Sea
W
E
River. The Tiber River runs into the Tyrrhenian Sea.
S
ATLANTIC OCEAN
There, a little village began as a farming commu-
E U R O P E Ca sp ia
nity. This is where the city of Rome was started
n
Tiber River
Sea
Bla
a ck Se
around 753 B.C. A famous story tells that twin
Rome Pompeii
brothers named Romulus and Remus founded the
M I D D L E E A S T
ITALY
Med
iterra
nean
city of Rome. Over hundreds of years, the city grew to
Sea
become the Roman Empire. That empire included a
0 0
300 300
600 miles
600 kilometers
part of the Middle East. ¶
4
included the northern part of Africa and a large
Se
Greatest extent of the Roman Empire
d
City
all of Italy and about half of Europe. It also
Re
A F R I C A
The city of Rome was the center of the Roman Empire.
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Who Were the Ancient Romans? Some ancient Romans were more important than others. Members of government and their families were in this important group. Rich people who owned land were also included. Most other people were farmers and soldiers. Some people were slaves. In Rome, men and women wore simple clothes called tunics. Men wore togas over their tunics. Togas and tunics were draped over the Romans’ bodies like big sheets. Men’s clothing was usually white, but upper-class men often had
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¶
a purple border on their togas. An ancient Roman soldier holds a spear and shield.
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What Kind of Daily Life Did They Have? Wealthy Romans lived in large houses with many servants. They enjoyed big meals. They ate vegetables with meat or fish, and sweet cakes for dessert. People in the city lived in crowded apartment buildings. Country people lived in small houses. These working-class Romans usually ate bread, fruit, and cheese. Roman families were usually large. Most children were taught at home by their parents. Children from wealthy families went to school when they were older. There they studied Latin,
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¶
mathematics, public speaking, and music. Wealthy Romans often had big houses with fancy gardens.
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What Was the Religion of Ancient Rome? In ancient Rome, most people worshiped several gods and goddesses. Jupiter was the god of the sky. He was the most important god to the Romans. Ceres was the goddess of farming and the harvest. Venus was the goddess of love, while Mars was the god of war. Diana was the goddess of hunting. The Romans built temples to honor these gods. Over time, the Romans became interested in other religions. Some Romans became Christians. The Christians often faced brutal
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cruelty in ancient Rome. A mask of Jupiter, the Roman god of the sky
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What Did Romans Do for Fun? The people of ancient Rome enjoyed holidays. On holidays they often went to events at the Colosseum. The Colosseum was a large outdoor theater. Some violent games took place there. Men called gladiators battled each other until one of them died. At chariot races, the crowds cheered for the drivers. Public bathhouses were popular places to relax. There people bathed in steam baths and
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indoor pools.
Chariot races took place at the Circus Maximus and other large arenas.
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What Kind of Government Did They Have? In the beginning, Rome was ruled by kings. These kings worked with members of the Senate to make laws. Roman citizens could meet and vote on the laws. Only men could be citizens, though. In 27 B.C. that system changed. The Roman Republic became the Roman Empire. The king was replaced by an emperor. The emperors did not work well with the Senate. Citizens had little control over the government. Many of the emperors were very powerful. They helped the
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¶
Roman Empire become very large.
Julius Caesar was a famous Roman general and leader. He was killed in 44 B . C .
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What Kind of Work Did They Do? Most people in ancient Rome were farmers. They grew wheat, barley, grapes, and olives. They raised sheep, goats, pigs, and other animals. Children often worked on the family farms. Roman merchants imported food, silk, ivory, and other goods. Also, mines throughout the empire produced marble, gold, and silver. Roman ships carried all these goods down huge rivers and across the Mediterranean Sea. Some ancient Romans worked in the Forum. This area was the center of the city of Rome. It included
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markets, temples, and government buildings. The Forum was a busy place at the center of the city of Rome.
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What Arts Were Important in Ancient Rome? Architecture was important in ancient Rome. Roman buildings often had arches, covered walkways, and large courtyards. The Romans invented concrete. This material helped them build strong walls. Romans enjoyed poetry and plays. One famous poem, the Aeneid, tells the story of Rome. It was written by the poet Virgil. Painting and sculpture were important to the Romans. Large wall paintings decorated the homes of the wealthy. Many statues showed
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famous people or historical events. The Pantheon was a temple in ancient Rome. It was rebuilt in the second century and still stands today.
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How Do We Remember Ancient Rome? We remember Rome as a mighty empire. Many modern farmers still use ideas from Roman farms. Some modern governments are based on the Roman system. Designs for Roman bridges, roads, and aqueducts are often studied when modern ones are built. We have learned about Rome through written records, paintings, and statues. Roman towns and cities have taught us a lot. The city of Pompeii was buried when a nearby volcano erupted. Scientists uncovered this city and others. All these
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things teach us about life in ancient Rome. The Colosseum can still be seen by visitors in the modern city of Rome.
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Glossary
Want to Know More?
aqueducts—large bridges built to carry water across a valley
At the Library
architecture—designing buildings
Ganeri, Anita. The Ancient Romans. Austin, Tex.: Raintree/Steck-Vaughn, 2000. Gerrard, Ray. Roman Twins. New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1998. Hewitt, Sally. The Romans. Danbury, Conn.: Children’s Press, 1995. Jay, David. Read About Ancient Romans. Brookfield, Conn.: Millbrook Press, 2000.
chariot—a two-wheeled cart pulled by horses empire—several countries ruled by the same government gladiators—fighters who battled each other or wild animals until one of them died imported—brought in from another place
On the Web History for Kids http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/romans/index.htm To find out more about life in ancient Rome
Senate—the supreme council of ancient Rome
The Romans http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/romans/home.html To learn more about the history of Rome through reading and activities
servants—people who take care of the household chores and per-
Through the Mail
sonal needs of others
• The Roman’s name for the Mediterranean Sea was Mare
The Museum of Classical Archaeology University of Cambridge Sedgwick Avenue Cambridge CB3 9DA United Kingdom To learn about their Roman exhibits
Nostrum. These Latin words mean “Our Sea.”
On the Road
• The city of Rome was the largest city in the Roman Empire. At
The Metropolitan Museum of Art 1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street New York, NY 10028-0198 212/535-7710 To see the collection of Roman art
republic—a government that allows citizens to elect representatives
Did You Know?
one point, ancient Rome was home to almost 1 million people. • Many of the Roman gods were similar to the Greek gods. They just had different names.
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Index Aeneid (poem), 19 architecture, 19 art, 19 bathhouses, 13 chariots, 13 clothes, 7 Colosseum, 13 emperors, 15 families, 9, 17 farming, 11, 17, 21 foods, 9 Forum, 17 gladiators, 13 government, 15, 21 houses, 9
kings, 15 Palatine Hill, 5 people, 7 Pompeii, 21 religion, 11 Remus, 5 Romulus, 5 schools, 9 Senate, 15 temples, 11 Tiber River, 5 togas, 7 tunics, 7 Virgil (poet), 19
About the Author Lucia Raatma received her bachelor’s degree in English literature from the University of South Carolina and her master’s degree in cinema studies from New York University. She has written a wide range of books for young people. When she is not researching or writing, she enjoys going to movies, playing tennis, practicing yoga, and spending time with her husband, daughter, and golden retriever. She lives in New York.
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