Roman Culture Exam 3

Describe the three main ways that individual Romans interacted with the gods

Ritual (religio), Prayer (votum), and Sacrifice (sacrificium)

How are Roman gods typically envisioned and depicted in art

Idealized human forms through statue, relief, and painting

Which two neighboring cultures shaped Roman religious belies and practices and in what ways

Etruscan and Greek by borrowing and renaming their gods, creating temples dedicated to the gods and practices surrounding the gods such as sacrifices, offerings, and votives

What are the seven basic categories of gods worshiped by the Romans (be sure to include at least one example for each category)

Anthropomorphic Olympian Gods (Jupiter), Anthropomorphic Demigods (Hercules), Deified Romans (Caesar), Household Divinities (Penates), Abstract Ideas (Victoria/Victory), Foreign Gods (Isis from Egypt)

What are the four main priestly colleges at Rome and what are their primary functions

Pontifical, Augural, Decemviri, Fetiales

What are the two basic types of religious offerings and what are some examples of each

Votives (figurines), Sacrifices (wine or libations)

describe the four main features of an area dedicated to a Roman god

Templum, Aedes, Cella, Ara

Name three non-Greek gods associated with mystery rituals

Mithras (Persia), Cybele/Magna Mater (Asia Minor), Isis (Egypt)

Describe Tacitus' attitude towards Christians

He thinks of Christianity and Christians negatively. Calling the religion a "destructive superstition"

As governor of Bithynia, how did Pliny the Younger deal with Christians and what was Emperor Trajan's assessment of his actions

Pliny is not actively searching for people to persecute, but if they are brought before you-denounce the beliefs and act. Trajan approves of this-this is before active persecutions of Christians

In what ways does Emperor Constantine support Christianity

Legalized Christianity through the Edict of Milan after the Battle of the Milvian Bridge

Which emperor first locates his residence on the Palatine Hill and why

Augustus
He wanted people to see he was a citizen like any other Roman

Which emperor initiates an "architectural revolution" and what was so revolutionary

Nero
Introduction of concrete, massive vaults, curvilinear and polygonal shapes, marble, painted stucco, and mosaics

Which emperor builds the first monumental residence on the Palatine Hill and why

Domitian
Assert his role as emperor and show off his power and wealth

Who is the first Roman leader to build his own forum and why

Julius Caesar
To gain respect of the Roman people

Describe the main features of the forum of Augustus and their purpose/significance

Temple of Mars Ultor: Vowed after the Battle of Philippi
Senate met to discuss war and peace
Generals dedicated spoils to Mars Ultor
Assumption of the toga virilis by young men
Legal and commercial activities

Describe the main features of the forum of Trajan and their purpose/significance

Temple of deified Trajan
Trajan's Column
Libraries
Basilica Ulpia
Forum
Equestrian Statue of Trajan

What are some features that the Imperial Fora have in common

Piazzas and Colonnades
Temples
enclosed by walls

Why is Ostia important for Rome's safety and growth

Access to trade as it becomes one of the biggest port cities in Rome

Describe the growth and decline of Ostia (and Portus)

Commercial activities start in Ostia, Augustus expands it, Claudius founds Portus, Trajan adds an inner harbor to Portus, Ostia declines in commercial use, rise in residential use as wealthy Romans purchase abandoned commercial properties

Why is Ostia important for our understanding of both Rome's growth and daily life in Rome

Ostia connected Romans to other regions of the world and made the city religiously diverse

Describe the two basic types of living options in Ostia

Domus
Insulae

Describe some of the shops and amenities used on a regular basis in Ostia

Pistrinum (bakery), Fullonica (fullery), Theatrum (theater)

What was the Square of the Corporations and its functions in Ostia

Guilds (collegia), Shippers (naviculari), Traders (negotiantes)

Describe how grain was stored and protected in Ostia

Dolia (storage jars)

Describe the diversity of religious beliefs and places of worship in Ostia

Capitolium (Temple of Jupiter; Juno and Minerva)
Mithraeum of the Seven Gates
Christian Basilica
Jewish Synagogue

Describe the major types of burials in Ostia

Cremation, funeral pyres, Niches where ashes were stored, sarcophagus, family-style tombs

Why is Pompeii such a significant site for our understanding of the ancient world

Because it is well preserved and provides us with insight as to how a city in the ancient world looked

Provide a brief overview of Pompeii's history

Samnites granted Roman citizenship after they were defeated by Rome in the Social War, followed by earthquakes and the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius

Who is our main source of information about the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius and why was he in the area

Pliny the Younger
Was in the area because he was earning an education from his uncle, was invited to go along to help evacuate people, but had homework so watched from a far in the Bay of Naples

Describe the major features of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius

Noon to midnight
Column of volcanic debris (molten rock, pumice, ash) bursts forth at 1.5 million tons per second to a height of 20 miles
Debris is carried by the winds as far as 50 miles to the SE
Thermal energy released is 100,000 times greater than the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Pompeii is covered by pumice (and fist-sized lithics) to a depth of 9 feet: roof tiles heated to 300 degrees fahrenheit; roofs collapse
Midnight to 7am
6 pyroclastic surges (clouds of molten rock, gas, ash) are produced that move up to 500 mph with temperatures reaching 750 degrees F
PS1 buries Herculaneum to a depth of 80 feet and extends the shoreline by 1500 feet (midnight)
PS4 and 5 finish off Pompeii

Describe how Pompeii and Herculaneum (and their inhabitants) were destroyed by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius

buried in molten rock, gas, and ash

What are the four main types of public buildings at Pompeii (be sure to give a few examples of each type)

Political (comitium)
Legal (basilica)
Commercial (macellum [meat market])
Religious (Temple of Jupiter)

Describe at least three prominent rooms/features of a private home in Pompeii

atrium (reception hall), triclinium (dining room), tablinum (study)

Describe at least three important businesses at Pompeii

Taverns, Inns, Bakeries, Food and Animal Markets, Fulleries, Textile and Leather Shops

Provide a brief overview of Pompeii's water supply

Aqueducts divided into three large lead pipes which ran under the pavements. Streets doubled as sewers.

Greek Name: Zeus

Roman Name: Jupiter
King of the gods

Greek Name: Hera

Roman Name: Juno
goddess and protector of women and marriage

Greek Name: Poseidon

Roman Name: Neptune
god of the sea

Greek Name: Hestia

Roman Name: Vesta
goddess of the hearth/home

Greek Name: Hermes

Roman Name: Mercury
Messenger of the gods

Greek Name: Hephaestus

Roman Name: Vulcan
god of the forge/blacksmith/fire

Greek Name: Aphrodite

Roman Name: Venus
Goddess of Love and Beauty

Greek Name: Apollo

Roman Name: Apollo
god of the sun/truth/poetry/music/healing

Greek Name: Ares

Roman Name: Mars
god of war, hatred, violence

Greek Name: Artemis

Roman Name: Diana
goddess of hunting/moon

Greek Name: Athena

Roman Name: Minerva
goddess of wisdom and war/peace

Greek Name: Demeter

Roman Name: Ceres
goddess of agriculture

Greek Name: Hades

Roman Name: Pluto
god of the underworld/wealth

Greek Name: Dionysus

Roman Name: Bacchus
god of wine and partying/promoter of the law

Greek Name: Eros

Roman Name: Cupid
god/promoter of love

Pontifical College

- Pontifex Maximus "Chief Priest"
- Flamen Dialis "Flamen of Jupiter"

Augural College

-Birds
-Animal organs
-Omens/ prodigies

Decemviri

Sibylline Books

Fetiales

-treaties of peace
-declarations of war

Templum

sacred area

Aedes

temple

Cella

chamber
innermost chamber that housed the cult statue and offerings

Ara

altar
outside of the temple

Trajan's Column

Triumphal column of the Dancian War

Collegia

Guilds

Naviculari

Shippers

Negotiantes

Traders

Triclinium

Dining room

Tablinum

Study

Atrium

Reception Hall