Rome was a very famous and tragic civilization. Despite all of the fighting and wars it was a beauty to some and not to others. As we go along I will show you EXAGERATED pictures of ancient Rome. I will tell short stories and some fun facts about it too. I hope you like it!
The Legend of Rome and its Creation
Romulus and Remus were just babies when they were sent into a river by an evil king. They were flowing for days hungry and scared. Soon wolves took pity on them. They raised them as animals and humans. They tought them how to fight, write, and talk. They soon looked and wanted to start a city of their own. Romulus and Remus built for many days and many nights until it was done. They wondered what to name it. Romulus said it should be named about him. Remus wished that it was named after him instead. They fought until Romulus killed Remus and named the city Rome.
Story of Emperor Constantine
Constantine was an ordinary polytheistic emperor. They were in the middle of wars with Barbarians and Vikings. West Rome was collapsing. Constantine went to bed like it was an ordinary night. Not to know that night would change Rome forever. He saw in a dream a flaming cross. The cross told him about god and the truth. He soon became a christian and moved to the city of Constantinople. Previously named Byzantium located in Greece. It may not have saved Rome, but it created a new empire. It created the Byzantine Empire.
Rome's well Known Dictator
Julius Caesar was a renowned general, politician and scholar in ancient Rome who conquered the vast region of Gaul and helped initiate the end of the Roman Republic and he became dictator of the Roman Empire. Despite his brilliant military prowess, his political skills, and his popularity with Rome’s lower and middle class it was no match for his fate. In the end it was because of worry for his growing power he was killed by his best friend Brutus. His final words were said to be "Et tu Brutus" translating "And you Brutus."One thing is for sure, he gave up once he saw him in the crowd of senators trying to kill him. It took 21 stabs to kill him, showing his strength and hope to live.
Punic Wars
The Punic Wars was a deadly war that left devastation and destruction. It was a war over the large “island” of Sicily. Carthage settled there for extra trade while Rome pressed through. The two fought there, but soon the battle fronts were all over the empire. The two fought on each other's lands. Carthage paid foreign soldiers and they were shrinking in size. They figured that if they went around they would make it. They traveled thousands of miles. Carthage lost around 20% of their army. When they made it through the elephants it seemed like they were giants and monsters. Soon they were pushed back to Carthage and ended the war.
Astronomy
Ancient Roman Astronomy was an important contribution because it helped people accept and understand ideas about the universe and Roman Astronomers helped mapped out many stars. Ancient astronomer Ptolemy lived in Alexandria, Egypt where he mapped out over 1,000 stars and he studied the motion planets and stars. This was important because it helped people accept his new ideas even though they were not completely true and his studies about the motion of the planets and stars helped create rules explaining their movements. As a result of him mapping out the stars people were able to create maps and give directions easily. Ancient Roman Astronomy was an extremely important contribution for its new ideas about the universe and for mapping out many stars.
Art and Architecture
People these days would take pride in art and architecture. The more they had the larger amount of power. Their architecture was made out of limestone and typically volcanic ash to help it grow stronger over time. Ironically Pompeii died from a volcano. Which semented people to look like statues. Anyways, bridges had a force that pushed at and toward each side making it very strong. Their arches were a signature piece yet it was not invented by them.
Homes
Roman's were very particular on homes (well at least the rich were). They had heated flooring and lived in villae rusticae in the country and the poor typically in small insulaes. These had no plumbing and you would go to a well for water. These were very overcrowded and had very little pazaze. People had little money and could not afford fancy homes. Sadly that's the way of the plebeians.
Colosseum
This was Rome's most notorious "stadium", by stadium I mean graveyard. Slaves would fight to the death among themselves and fight many animals, such as lions, tigers, snakes, or all of them! They would do naval battles and flood the Colosseum. Why would they do this? This is torture for a crime, for slave freedom, or being captured during a war. Your seats would vary depending on your rank. If you are the emperor though, you get front row seats for someone's face ripped off by a lion.
Fun Facts
Roman Emperors or Senators would drink poison a little bit every day to build up immunity.
Future empires in the west would try to imitate Rome's success ranging from money to architecture like Charlemagne (king of the franks).
Warning this is very weird: poor Romans would live in small apartments and have to use a bucket and if they don't have time to empty it would throw it out the window. That is why people would keep away from apartment buildings.
Ancient Rome used to be covered in graffiti just like today.
Once Rome moved its capitol to Constantinople, they were renamed the Byzantine Empire. The Previous name of that city.
Ancient Roman bridges that were used then are still used today.
Extra Info and Videos
For more information on Rome and its history click on one of these links
