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Who Were the Romans?

K. Willis
K. Willis

Romans were members of the Roman empire, which was at its peak during the first and second centuries CE. The Roman empire encompassed the majority of Western Europe, controlling countries such as Britannia (England and Wales), Hispania (Spain), Gaul (France) and Achaea (Greece). The Roman empire also encompassed parts of the Middle East, known during the Roman period as Judea, and large swathes of the North African coast. The empire was controlled centrally from Rome. Because the Roman empire was so large, its people were extremely diverse, and those identifying themselves as Romans may not have been born in Rome, or even in Italy, but were born into areas controlled by the Roman empire.

Populations were conquered by the formidable Roman military. To avoid uprisings, conquered peoples were permitted to continue to follow their own religions and cultures and worship their own deities. This meant the culture of the Roman empire was incredibly diverse. Roman life absorbed many influences from other nations, particularly the Greeks. This included philosophies, laws, deities and architecture.

Augustus Caesar, the first Roman emperor.
Augustus Caesar, the first Roman emperor.

The Romans were an industrious and advanced people, and throughout the empire they built a network of roads to make travel and transport easier. Romans understood the need for hygiene, cleanliness and clean water, even if they did not fully understand the science behind it. The Romans built aqueducts to ensure clean drinking water and were responsible for the first public health regimes in the world. Public baths were constructed for the whole population, irrespective of class or social standing. Romans also built sanitation systems and public toilets designed to carry away the waste.

When the late Western Roman Empire fell, the Roman Catholic Church took on many of its administrative duties in Western Europe.
When the late Western Roman Empire fell, the Roman Catholic Church took on many of its administrative duties in Western Europe.

Roman society was medically advanced compared to other civilizations of the time and had many surgical and medical implements that are similar to some still in use in the 21st century. A vast amount of medical terminology used by the Romans also remained in use into the 21st century. Much of Roman medicine was an eclectic mix of science and superstition. Roman medicine followed many of the teachings of Greek physicians such as Hippocrates.

Julius Caesar played a major role in creating the Roman Empire.
Julius Caesar played a major role in creating the Roman Empire.

Entertainment was wide and varied in ancient Rome. A great deal of free entertainment was available so all could attend, regardless of social standing or affluence. It is theorized by many historians that entertainment was provided on such a large scale to distract people from the often harsh realities of daily life and to prevent potential uprisings.

The Roman Empire was at its peak during the first and second centuries A.D.
The Roman Empire was at its peak during the first and second centuries A.D.

Entertainment consisted of gladiatorial combat, theatrical performances, poetry recitals, chariot races and circus acts. Gladiators were generally slaves or prisoners of war who were forced to fight each other or a variety of large animals to the death. Records indicate that many of the theatrical performances were comedies, though not necessarily in the way people think of comedies today.

Discussion Comments

hllywd

It’s incredible how much the Romans continue to influence societies in the modern day. The Roman government forms the foundations of many current societies, and their intellectual pursuits have shaped much of our current intellectual passions. Roman, along with Greek, art and literature were very developed in their time, and they still form the backbone for our conceptions of beauty in culture and art.

The Romans as a group were very advanced for their time, and their systems of warfare and politics gave them huge advantages over their enemies. The Roman empire is still considered to be something of an enigma. It’s also interesting to see how quickly the Roman downfall came. I wonder what we can learn from the Romans and their experiences? How much of what we see today is influenced by the Romans and how much more can we learn from them?

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    • Augustus Caesar, the first Roman emperor.
      By: fabiomax.com
      Augustus Caesar, the first Roman emperor.
    • When the late Western Roman Empire fell, the Roman Catholic Church took on many of its administrative duties in Western Europe.
      By: SergiyN
      When the late Western Roman Empire fell, the Roman Catholic Church took on many of its administrative duties in Western Europe.
    • Julius Caesar played a major role in creating the Roman Empire.
      By: Y. L. Photographies
      Julius Caesar played a major role in creating the Roman Empire.
    • The Roman Empire was at its peak during the first and second centuries A.D.
      By: Beboy
      The Roman Empire was at its peak during the first and second centuries A.D.
    • Remnants of the extensive aqueduct network that the Romans used to transport water to their major urban centers can still be seen today.
      By: Zechal
      Remnants of the extensive aqueduct network that the Romans used to transport water to their major urban centers can still be seen today.
    • The ancient Romans were entertained by theatrical performances, poetry recitals, gladiatorial combat, chariot races, and other things.
      By: Freesurf
      The ancient Romans were entertained by theatrical performances, poetry recitals, gladiatorial combat, chariot races, and other things.
    • Every class of Roman citizen used the public bath houses.
      By: Veronika Trofer
      Every class of Roman citizen used the public bath houses.