History Notes 5.3

Notes for chapter 5-3 (pages 176-180) "Daily Life In Imperial Rome"

Rome was the capital city in the Roman Empire.
1. Rome had the largest population in the whole Roman Empire
2. Had a population of about 1 million near the time of Augustus.
3. Rome was over crowded.
4. They did not allow cart and wagon traffic on Roman roads during the day.
5. Wagon and cart travel had to be done at night.
6. It was very noisy at night.
7. It was also dangerous at night due to robbers and vandals.
8. Assaults, robberies were common.
9. Human waste from high level apartments could fall on the streets and people.

There was a huge difference in social status between the poor people and rich people.
1. The rich people lived in nice villas.
2. The poor people lived in run down apartments called insulae.
3. The insulae were sometimes 6 stories high.
4. They collapsed easily.
5. They were very prone to fire.
6. Much of the difference in social status and poverty was covered up.
7. Rome had very nice public buildings.
8. They had baths, markets, temples, and theatres.
9. People outside of Rome did not see the bad parts of Rome.
10. The colossal buildings distracted them from seeing the average Roman life.
11. The citizens of Rome remained happy due to free entertainment and food.