Philippine Science High School – Cagayan Valley Campus

Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya

Name: Julienne Marielle V. Agustin

Grade and Section: 8-Jasmine
Activity 4: Roman Empire
Form of Monarchy, Autocracy, Oligarchy, Theocracy, Absolute monarchy
Government
Value  Fides - "Confidence"
 Pietas - "Piety, Dutifulness"
 Dignitas - "Dignity"
 Disciplina – “Discipline”
 Gravitas - "Gravity"

Social The social structure of ancient Rome was based on heredity, property, wealth, citizenship and
Structures freedom. It was also based around men: women were defined by the social status of their
fathers or husbands. Women were expected to look after the houses and very few had any real
independence.
Religion The official Roman religion was the worship of a large group of Greco Roman gods such a
Jupiter, Juno, Minerva and Mars. Christianity spread steadily through the empire. By the year
100, there were 100 churches in the Empire. Initially the Romans paid little attention to
Christianity’s advances.
Entertainmen  Chariot racing was put on at the Circus Maximus.
t  In Ancient Rome the Colosseum was also a major attraction for those who wanted to
see the various events that were put on at this vast building. Nearly all of them
involved death and destruction. There were the well-known gladiator fights and the
feeding of Christians to lions. There were also a number of lesser known events such
as mock sea battles involving ships, animal circus acts, animals fighting animals and
animal hunts.
 People who didn’t enjoyed much the events of destruction went to the theatre to watch
plays. However, records from the time indicate that theatres rarely put on serious
works, preferring to show what we would now call farces and comedies. Poetry
readings were also given in theatres.

2. How did each of the following help promote the spread of Christianity?

Pax Romana Pax Romana affected the spread of Christianity in several important ways. Without conflict
within the empire, religions could more easily spread through the population, and Christianity
soon became popular, especially among the poor. Christianity also saw its gospels translated
from the original Aramaic language to Greek, Latin, and other popular languages.
Paul Clocked up around 10,000 miles, traveling across the Roman Empire. He preached in some of
the empire’s most important cities. Although places like Ephesus, Philippi, Corinth and Athens
looked magnificent, they were also home to tens of thousands of poor, desperate people who
were the perfect audience for the Christian message of eternal life.

Like Jesus, Paul spoke to people in their homes and synagogues. But he went beyond Jesus, who
had only preached to Jews. Paul believed his message should also be taken to gentiles – the
non-Jews.
Constantine Christians were no longer persecuted. They were allowed to practice their religion in public.
Issued the Edict of Milan, decriminalizing Christian worship.
Theodosius Made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. Theodosius, not surprisingly, also
put an end to the ancient Olympic Games, which had honored the god Zeus.
3. The Roman Empire after Caesar Augustus
Caesar Augustus showed great respect for the Senate, but later emperors made no secret of their power. The
Senate continued to exist after the reign of Augustus, but senators had little say over the affairs of the empire.
Some of the emperors who followed Augustus ruled wisely. Others were foolish and cruel.
Nero was perhaps the most notorious emperor in Roman history. Nero became emperor at the age of seventeen
after his mother conspired to kill his stepfather.
Once Nero came to power, he ordered his mother’s execution. He also killed two wives and a stepbrother. Not only
did Nero rule the empire ruthlessly by day, at night he prowled the streets of Rome assaulting women.
Nero believed himself to be the most talented person in the Roman Empire. Never before had an emperor
performed on a stage as an actor or singer. Many Roman nobles considered Nero’s performances to be outrageous
and lacking talent, but no one would risk torture or death by criticizing the emperor.
In AD67, Nero toured Greece. He participated in many games and contests, but no rival dared to beat the emperor.
As Nero devoted himself to his outside pursuits, he lost ruling power. A year after his tour of Greece, Nero faced an
attack from his soldiers. His guard claimed Nero cried out, “What an artist the world is losing,” as he stabbed
himself in the neck.
It was under the emperor Trajan that, by AD117, the Roman Empire reached its greatest size. The empire
extended from Britain and Spain, across France, southern Germany, and the Balkan Mountains. The empire also
included North Africa and stretched as far east as the Caspian Sea. By that time, the empire completely surrounded
the vast Mediterranean Sea, which later historians described as being a mere “Roman lake.”
In AD121, the emperor Hadrian built a wall across northern England to keep out invaders from Scotland. The
Romans called the Scots “barbarians,” possibly because their Celtic language reminded the Romans of the sounds
made by sheep. In time, the Romans used this term for any civilization they considered uncultured. Eventually,
another group of barbarian warriors—from Germany—would lead to the end of the Roman Empire.

1. Based on the article, do you think that managing the Roman Empire in AD117 was easy or difficult?
Defend your answer.
Ruling a big empire is difficult because you may tend to focus at one part and lose attention or care of the others.
Sometimes you need a helper/s, a/many trustworthy one/s, to help you and make your job easier. In the case of
Rome, it’s armies are the helpers. Still, It’s hard to manage an empire and keep it safe from the invasions of foreign
people that may lead to its downfall/decline.

2. Xenophobia is the fear or contempt of foreign people and cultures. Describe an example of Roman
xenophobia.
The Romans were xenophobic to other cultures like the Scotts which they consider as “barbaric” because of their
Celtic language that remind the romans of sheep (possibly). In the end, other people whom the considered as
“barbaric”- the Germans - would lead to the end of their empire.