DBQ 2: THE DEVELOPMENT OF STATES AND EMPIRES Historical Background At the core of Roman mythology, twin brothers were an imperative facet of the birth of Rome. Romulus and Remus, the sons of Mars (the god of war), were deserted at birth. This situation led to the brothers being raised by a wolf. As the twins grew older, they agreed to establish a city beside the Tiber River, which was close to the location where they had been abandoned by their father. In all terms of fairness, each brother selected a separate hill to begin to create a settlement. Unfortunately, the peace did not sustain itself. Land disagreements led to constant fighting. Enraged by Remus constant insults, Romulus murdered his brother. Taking control of all of the land, Romulus moved on to form the city that would bear his name, Rome. Rome became one of the biggest empires in the world, containing almost a quarter of the world s population. Amidst invasion and adaptation, it eventually controlled North Africa, portions of Northern and Eastern Europe, Asia Minor, and all of Southern and Western Europe. As a result, the Roman Empire molded other civilizations, a progression that still affects the world presently. SECTION 1 QUESTION: What is the Roman Empire s cultural legacy? The following documents will examine the cultural legacy of the Roman Empire. Analyze each document carefully, and answer the question or questions that follow. Document A All the aqueducts reach the city at different elevations. Six of these streams flow into covered containers, where they lose their sediment. Their volume is measured by means of calibrated scales. The abundance of water is sufficient not only for public and private uses and applications but truly even for pleasure. The water is distributed to various regions inside and outside the city, to basins, fountains and public buildings, and to multiple public uses. General Frontinus, 1st Century CE 1. According to this passage, how were aqueducts useful to civilization? 15
2. How do you think this process compares to modern water treatment plants? Document B Gladiators from the Zliten Mosaic, c. 200 CE 1. Describe your observations of the mosaic. 2. Why were gladiators utilized in ancient Rome? 3. How has the use of gladiators influenced today s society? 16
Document C Roman Baths and Abbey, II, Bath, England, photograph c. 1890 1900 CE Courtesy of the Library of Congress, LC-DIG-ppmsc-07996 1. Describe the purposes of a Roman bathhouse, such as the one pictured above. 2. List several examples of contemporary bathhouses. 17
Document D Table IX 6. Putting to death... of any man who has not been convicted, whosoever he might be, is forbidden. Table XII 5. Whatever the People has last ordained shall be held as binding by law. Excerpts from the Twelve Tables, 451 450 BCE 1. According to Table IX, how is a Roman citizen protected? 2. What does the law from Table XII reveal about Roman society? Document E I swear by Apollo the physician, and Aesculapius, and Health, and All-heal, and all the gods and goddesses, that, according to my ability and judgment, I will keep this Oath and this stipulation to reckon him who taught me this Art equally dear to me as my parents, to share my substance with him, and relieve his necessities if required; to look upon his offspring in the same footing as my own brothers, and to teach them this Art, if they shall wish to learn it, without fee or stipulation; and that by precept, lecture, and every other mode of instruction, I will impart a knowledge of the Art to my own sons, and those of my teachers, and to disciples bound by a stipulation and oath according to the law of medicine, but to none others. I will follow that system of regimen which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my patients, and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous. I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such counsel Hippocratic Oath, 400 BCE Hippocrates 18
1. According to the Hippocratic Oath, what are two standards he believed to be imperative when practicing medicine? 2. How does the Hippocratic Oath provide guidelines for doctors today? Document F Pantheon Panorama, Rome CC-BY-SA-3.0/Maros M r a z @ Wikimedia.org 1. From this image, compare the structural elements shared by the Pantheon and current architecture. 19
Document G He was especially anxious about road building, paying attention to utility as well as to that which was beneficial to grace and beauty. For the roads were carried straight through the country without wavering, and were paved with quarried stone, and made solid with masses of tightly packed sand. Hollows were filled up and bridges were built across whatever wintry streams or ravines cut the roads. And both sides were an equal and parallel height with the result that the road for its entire course had a level and beautiful appearance. Besides these things, he measured the whole road mile by mile and set up stone columns as distance indicators. He also placed other stones on either side of the road at lesser intervals so that it would be easier for those who had horses to mount them from the stones without requiring a groom to help. Plutarch, 1st Century CE 1. Explain the efficiency of the road-building process in connection with Plutarch s passage. 2. How is precise technology an important facet of the ancient and modern worlds? 20
Name: Date: Hour: Document H Roman Odeon in Amman, Jordan CC-BY-SA-3.0/Jerzy Strzelecki @ Wikimedia.org 1. Based on this photograph, describe the function of this theater during Roman civilization. 2. How has current society inherited similar interests in theater? SECTION 2 ESSAY TOPIC: What is the Roman Empire s cultural legacy? 21