1.1. In wealthier families, boys and girls were tutored by their fathers, or often by slaves, until they were about six years old. Then boys went off to school
1.2. Many poor children in Rome were sent to work instead of to school
1.3. Roman boys learned Latin, Greek, math, science, literature, music, and public speaking. They typically became soldiers, doctors, politicians, or lawyers. Girls might become dentists, real estate agents, or tutors
2. Law and Order
2.1. In the empire, the ultimate source of law was the emperor
2.2. The senators had high status in society
2.3. Crime was common in Rome
2.4. Any Roman, including the poor, could accuse someone else of a crime
3. Housing
3.1. Wealthy Romans lived in grand houses, built of stone and marble
3.2. Nearby, many of the poor crowded into tall apartment buildings The apartments were cramped, noisy, and dirty
4. Recreation
4.1. Both rich and poor often relaxed at Rome’s public baths
4.2. Romans watched gladiators fight in large public arenas, like the Colosseum
4.3. A favorite gathering place was the Circus Maximus, a huge racetrack with room for 200,000 spectators
5. Country Life
5.1. Wealthy Romans often owned country estates with large homes, called villas
5.2. The empire’s farms provided much of the food for Rome and other cities Slaves did much of the actual work of farming
5.3. Many people in the countryside were not slaves, but their lives were hard
6. Religion
6.1. Romans came to honor their emperors as gods
6.2. Festivals and holidays, or “holy days,” were held throughout the year to honor the gods
6.3. At Rome’s temples and shrines, people made offerings and promises to the gods
7. Family Life
7.1. Family life in Rome was ruled by the paterfamilias, or “father of the family"
7.2. Roman men were expected to provide for the family
7.3. Wealthy Roman women ran their households
7.4. Between the ages of 14 and 18, a Roman boy celebrated becoming a man
8. Food and Drink
8.1. What Romans cooked and ate depended on whether they were rich or poor. Only the rich had kitchens in their homes. The poor cooked on small grills and depended on “fast-food” places called thermopolia, where people could buy hot and cold foods that were ready to eat
8.2. The main foods in ancient Rome were bread, beans, spices, a few vegetables, cheeses, and meats. Favorite drinks included plain water and hot water with herbs and honey.
