Roman Empire/Life in Roman Empire

Life in the Roman Empire was diverse and complex marked by diverse cultures, and significant contributions to various fields such as governance, law, art, architecture, and engineering.

# Overall

#### Governance and Society

The Roman Empire was divided into provinces, each governed by officials appointed by the central authority. Roman citizens enjoyed certain rights and privileges, while non-citizens, including slaves, had varying little legal protection. The hierarchical social structure included

* Emperors
* Senators
* Aristocrats
* Army
* Roman citizens
* Citizens
* Women
* Slaves

#### Architecture ,Art and Engineering

Roman empire built impressive structures such as aqueducts, roads, bridges, and monumental buildings like the Colosseum. These structures served practical purposes as well as displaying the empire's wealth and power.

Roman art encompassed various forms, including sculpture, painting, mosaics, and frescoes. The Romans were skilled in replicating and adapting artistic styles from other cultures. The development of the Roman portrait and the use of realistic portraiture was a significant artistic achievement.

#### Religion

The Roman Empire had a diverse religious landscape that included traditional Roman deities, as well as the incorporation of deities from conquered regions. Emperor worship was also common, and various mystery cults gained popularity. The spread of Christianity, which began as a small movement within the empire, eventually had a profound impact on its religious landscape.

#### Economy and Trade

The Roman economy was based on agriculture, trade, and mining. The empire's extensive road network facilitated trade across its vast territories. Roman coins, such as denarii and aurei, were used as currency throughout the empire.

#### Philosophy

Education was highly valued in Roman society, particularly among the upper classes. Roman schools taught subjects like literature, rhetoric, and philosophy. The Roman Empire made contributions to various fields of science, including engineering, medicine, and astronomy. Roman engineers developed innovative techniques for constructing buildings, roads, and aqueducts.

#### Sports

The Roman people enjoyed various forms of entertainment, including Greek Olympic games, chariot races, gladiatorial combat, theater, and public baths. These activities served as a means of relaxation and socialization.

# Daily Life of a Roman Citizen

### Male Roman Citizen

The daily life of a male Roman citizen varied greatly depending on their profession and social class.

If he was a trader, his day consisted of traveling to different cities to buy goods for resale back home. He would need to be aware of market prices and fluctuations to ensure profitability.

A farmer spend his days working on his land, planting crops, raising livestock, and performing necessary maintenance tasks such as fixing fences or repairing equipment.

A slave seller would purchase slaves through various means and then sell them to individuals or business owners who needed labor. They would likely negotiate prices and handle paperwork associated with transactions.

Women sellers would engage in buying and selling women, primarily focusing on females from Greece and Gauil areas. These women were clean and beautiful and their price was very high.

Musicians played music during events and festivals, often accompanying dancers or actors. actors and dancers were sometimes roman citizens or women who were bought from the flesh/slave market in rome and later given the Romana paper and gained the title of a Roman Citizen.

Many men held multiple roles simultaneously based on family obligations or personal interests. Aside from their work duties, most males spent time eating meals together with relatives or friends, enjoying local festivals or attending political assemblies. Some citizens preferred to exercise regularly and compete athletically, whether individually or as part of teams organized around neighborhoods or workplaces. Children received education focused on physical fitness and literacy skills before moving onto advanced topics later in life depending on their parents' resources.

### Female Roman Citizen

Female Roman citizens lived under patriarchal societal norms that limited their freedoms compared to those of men. Marriage was an essential aspect of a woman's life since it enabled her entry into adulthood and participation in social gatherings without suspicion regarding her behavior.

A girl usually wedded in twelve years old, and around seven if she possessed no brothers. In theory, she chose her spouse freely after consulting with her guardian (usually her father), though her decision depended upon her legal status as a full citizen, freeborn non-citizen, or enslaved person. A married couple shared property rights and responsibilities under the authority of the paterfamilias ("family head"), typically her husband unless he relinquished his privileges by signing a document acknowledging her independent control over certain household possessions and decisions.

Masters frequently granted enslaved females more autonomy than freeborn wives due to cultural expectations about appropriate treatment of concubines and unfree entertainers. However, both groups faced limitations on their movements and interactions beyond their designated areas. Free women experienced greater liberty overall in comparison to their enslaved counterparts, especially those without male protectors who controlled access to resources necessary for self-sufficiency. Nevertheless, all women confronted restrictions imposed upon their ability to participate actively in civic affairs due to prevailing gender norms concerning modesty and respectable conduct in mixed company.

Some women chose not to marry at all despite potential consequences such as diminishing economic opportunities or ridicule from neighbors. Others opted to postpone marriage until older ages out of desire to pursue intellectual pursuits rather than focus exclusively on domestic concerns related to childrearing. Widows could enjoy increased independence once their husbands died due to roman law who allowed them to stay single until their death.

Throughout pre-Christian times, religious leaders selected young girls around seven years old to serve within temples as priestess assistants. These girls, remained chaste throughout their lives unlike non selected as written above, which allowed these females to potentially remain untouched by men throughout their lifespans.

The tradition contrasted sharply with Pagan preferences for physically attractive participants taking central roles within ceremonies honoring Aphrodite, Artemis, Isis, and other divine entities.

Conversely, the prominence of nude and BDSM lesbian orgiastic rites aimed at appeasing these same divine entities further highlighted the stark contrasts inherent within ancient society. The intricacies of astrological divination and magickal arts featured significant influence in determining the success or failure of specific endeavors undertaken by influential figures including emperors themselves.

Lesbian Rituals involved orgiastic worship meant to appease the desires of gods/goddesses. Emperors and aristocrats alike were invited in the temples to watch, reflecting how integral sensual expression remained ingrained in Roman society.

# Daily Life of Not Roman Citizens

Daily life varied greatly among different ethnic groups residing within or interacting with the Roman Empire. Non-Roman populations maintained unique customs shaped by local geography, climate, religion, politics, economy, and culture.

Non-Roman citizens lived under difficult conditions due to political instability caused by various factors such as conflicts between states, internal struggles for power, and external threats posed by tribes.

Everyday activities revolved around survival, thus, people focused on farming, hunting, fishing, and gathering resources necessary for sustenance. Trade existed mainly at local levels through exchange networks facilitated by caravans transporting goods across regions. Some individuals became specialists providing services related to animal husbandry, metalworking, pottery production, leather tanning, wool spinning, basketweaving, woodcarving, etcetera.

Roving bands of marauders frequently attacked settlements, forcing inhabitants to look for protection in the strong Roman army. Pirates plagued coastlines, threatening shipping routes and disrupting international commerce. Thievery also presented constant hazards to individual property security necessitating vigilant safeguarding measures such as guard dogs, locked storage facilities, secure dwelling perimeters, watchtowers, and nighttime sentinels maintaining a constant lookout against potential wrongdoing.

Overall, non-Romans experienced unpredictable uncertainty characterizing existence in regions lacking imperial oversight or support. Expansion of Roman control brought improvements like better infrastructure development facilitating enhanced communication channels and improved economic opportunities but often came at great human cost through subjugation or displacement of native populations whose traditional ways of life faced rapid change or outright destruction.