The First Romans were herdsmen and farmers. In ancient Rome the farmers who worked in their own farms, formed the backbone of the Roman army. They were planting crops in the spring and harvest them in the autumn. During the summer, they were recruited as soldiers in the army.
Rural life has changed after the Roman Empire started to expand the limits of its territories; a large number of farmers were sent to fight in wars outside the Empire for long periods, and thus the farmers were forced to sell their lands. The rich people created large farms where they planted crops and livestock for trade, and bought slaves to work in the farms. As they also rented out land to farmers working for them. Life was so hard for most farmers. But they were eager to the periodic holidays to be held during cultivating and harvesting the lands, the holidays also included other sports and entertaining games.
In ancient Rome, there were no schools and the children were receiving their first education in the house under the supervision of their parents. Most boys and some girls, between the ages of six or seven, to even ten or eleven years of age, went to private schools or studied at home. They learn literacy, reading, and mathematics. Some of the slaves taught the boys in many houses; it worth to mention that some bonded and, in particular, who were from the ancient Greeks, appeared more educated than their Roman masters.Most of the Romans who were receiving more advanced education than that, were the sons of rich families, who are studying until the age of fourteen, mainly, the rules of Latin languages, Greek, literature, as well as mathematics, music and astronomy.
The Roman interest in the Hellenic ideas increased during the fourth century B.C., The Romans started to worship the Greek gods, they gave Roman names to the Greek gods and built temples for these gods to honor them. The Government has taken control over religion and the priests were government officials, either by election or appointment, carrying out general routine, which they believed it is earning the sympathy of their gods to the State.A large number of Romans in the first century A.D. lost their interest in their religion and were attracted to celestial religions, which are so close to the natural instinct of humans that let them found the right path of life and afterlife. Many Romans were converted to Christianity at that time.
The Romans used to start the day at sunrise and day light was very precious to them because the oil lamps they used at night were sources of a fine dim light. The breakfast meal, normally, was a snack of bread and cheese. Most of the Romans have lunch before mid-morning. As for the rich Romans, they have lunch consisting of meat, fish, olive, and fruits. Dinner was the main meal, beginning in late afternoon, to end just before sunset.The Roman Empire fell as a great political force. But its culture, and systems continued and formed the Byzantine world (the Oriental Roman Empire) and the Western civilization. The Roman law has become the basis of many legislative systems in Western Europe and Latin America. As the Latin language remained to be the language of the European learners and intellectuals for more than 1000 years. From Latin languages emerged many languages as Italian, French, and Spanish languages and other romantic languages. Yet, the Roman architecture designs continue to inspire public buildings in nowadays.
After the fell of the Western Roman Empire, the Oriental Roman Empire (Byzantine) continued for about ten decades or more. The Oriental Roman Empire was always considered of to be a great complement of the original mother civilization that was established in Rome.
Social and economic systems of the Roman Empire were quoted to the Middle Ages, which was the period of European history that lasted from the 5th century until the 16th century. In Meanwhile of medieval ages, the Roman Catholic Church replaced the Roman Empire as a unifying force in Europe. The Church had formulated its administrative structure like the Roman Empire, used Latin language, and have maintained Latin literature classics.
During the Roman era, the Roman Empire included in its territories many cities of great importance in science, trading, culture, strategy that contributed to stunning achievements in the Roman heritage and also heritage for all humanity.
The City of Malaga which is located in Andalusia (Al-Andalus), Spain, was one of those cities that enriched the Roman culture and many aspects of life at that time. During the Roman era its name changed into Malaca. It represented a highly remarkable center of civilization and science..Moreover, it witnessed a cultural and economical Renaissance and revolution as the port of Malaga and the Roman theater were constructed.
It showed a great progress in many aspects of life and during this time it was named a confederate city of Rome under the rule of Emperor Tito , that further increased its importance among other Spanish cities.
During the Roman rule, this city was amongst the few cities which had adapted well to the Roman lifestyle and where Christianity majorly became present.
Check out: Malaga
Another great city that prospered during the Roman rule and enriched efficiently the Roman civilization, Istanbul (located in Turkey), which was and still one of the most gorgeous cities in the East.
Istanbul was an important city in both the Roman Empire, and the Oriental Roman Empire that lasted for more than 1000 years after the fall of the mother Empire in Rome.
During the era of the Oriental Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire), the Roman emperor Constantine the great undertook a construction project of rebuilding the entire city. His purpose was to make it stand out and give the city monuments similar to those monuments found in Rome. In 330, Constantine declared the city as the capital of the whole Roman Empire and renamed it Constantinople.
Constantinople became the capital of the Byzantine Empire in the 400s. As Constantinople was at the center of two continents. it became a center of commerce, culture, diplomacy.
See also: Istanbul
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