Ancient Rome Founding myth Ancient Rome was

Ancient Rome

Founding myth Ancient Rome was an Italic civilization that inhabited the west coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It became one of the largest empires in the ancient world, the city of Rome was its capital. Over 80 million people lived there. It covered 6. 5 million square kilometers between the first and second centuries AD. According to the myths, the city was founded on the 21 st April 753 BC by twin brothers Romulus and Remus. They were the sons of Rhea Silvia and Mars, the Roman god of war. The twins then founded their own city, but Romulus killed Remus in a quarrel. The quarrel was about who was going to rule or give his name to the city.

Rome Ancient Romans built stone buildings with sick walls, homes for the people and a beautiful palace for the Emperor. The city also had a tall tower, temples… Its narrow streets were full of people. There was a large marketplace and a forum in the center of the city. There was a large amphitheater and theatres where people watched performances. There were also temples and public baths, many buildings had running water. The city had bakers’, restaurants and even a hotel.

Education In the early Republic, there were no public schools, so boys were taught to read and write by their parents, or by educated slaves, called pedagogic. If their parents could afford it, boys and some girls at the age of 7 were sent to a private school called a ludus, where a teacher taught them basic reading, writing, arithmetic, and sometimes Greek, until the age of 11. Beginning at age 12, students went to secondary schools, where the teacher taught them about Greek and Roman literature. At the age of 16, some students went on to rhetoric school. Education at this level prepared students for legal careers, the students memorized the laws of Rome. Pupils went to school every day, except religious festivals and market days. There were also summer holidays.

Art, music and literature The Roman alphabet evolved from the Greek alphabet in the 7 th century BC. The native language of the Romans was Latin literature was influenced heavily by Greek authors. Some of the earliest works are of historical epics telling the early military history of Rome. Later authors began to produce poetry, comedy, history, and tragedy. Roman music was largely based on Greek music, Roman painting styles show Greek influences.

Routine day in Ancient Rome Both rich people and poor crafts had the same timetable. All people got up at 4 or 5 o’clock in the morning. They cleaned their faces and hands, then they wore sandals and mackintoshes. Rich man shaved their faces and cut their hair. People usually had bread, honey, olives, cheese for breakfast. Adults did their housework, controlled bills and reports, gave instructions and went to work. Children went to school. They stopped at noon for lunch. Romans had bread with onion, beans, beetroot, olives, figs, cheese and nuts for lunch. Then all people had a rest. Students returned to classes to finish their school day. Back home, kids played with their pets and toys. They enjoyed playing board and ball games. Adults did sports, walked, went to public baths. All Romans watched performances at open-air-theatres and horse riding in the circus, they enjoyed watching slaves fighting each other at the amphitheater. In the evening Roman families had dinner. It lasted not less then for 3 hours. Family was very important in ancient Rome. A usual family consisted of a father, a mother, unmarried children and married sons with their families and slaves. Dinner was a little holiday. Slaves read, somebody recited poems, guests listened to music and watched dancing. They went to bed late at night.