Everything you wanted to ask about the ancient Roman Empire | History Hotline

Summary

The script features a playful, educational exchange at the British Museum, where children call in with various questions about ancient Rome. Curators answer queries ranging from the duration of the Roman Empire, the lives of emperors, and the daily activities of Romans, to more unusual topics like Roman junk food and bathroom habits. Through these interactions, the children learn about the vast reach of the Roman Empire, its complex social structure, and the everyday life of its people, presented in an engaging and accessible manner.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The British Museum is home to a legendary 'mysterious phone' that appears when children have questions about history.
• 🗣️ Carolina, a curator of Roman archaeology, explains that the Roman Empire lasted around 2,000 years and was vast, covering much of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.
• 👑 The Roman Empire had numerous emperors, with Augustus being the first, and some emperors ruled for as briefly as 22 days.
• 🏡 Archaeological findings, like the Vindolanda tablets, provide insights into Roman daily life, including social interactions and leisure activities.
• 🎉 The oldest surviving birthday party invitation in the world was found, showcasing Romans' social events and the earliest known female handwriting from Britain.
• 🎲 Romans enjoyed games and entertainment, including board games, gambling, and events at arenas like the Coliseum.
• 🛁 Public bathhouses were popular among Romans for socializing and bathing, featuring advanced heating systems for comfort.
• 👥 Daily life in ancient Rome varied greatly between citizens, non-citizens, and slaves, with citizens enjoying full legal protection and privileges.
• 🍕 Recent discoveries suggest that Romans ate pizza, and their diet included a variety of foods, some of which were considered delicacies.
• 🏰 Roman soldiers' facilities, like latrines, were communal and lacked privacy, using shared sponges on sticks for hygiene.
• 💰 Roman soldiers' earnings varied based on their role, length of service, and promotions, with some earning additional pay for specialized roles like cavalry.

Q & A

How long did the Roman Empire last?

The Roman Empire lasted around 2,000 years ago, starting from when ancient Rome was ruled by kings and ending with the fall of the empire.

What was the extent of the Roman Empire at its peak?

The Roman Empire covered most of Europe, stretched from the Iberian Peninsula to the British Isles, across to the Middle East, and down into the deserts of North Africa.

What was the population of the Roman Empire at its height?

The Roman Empire may have had between 50 to 90 million people, which could have been about 20 to 25% of the world's population at the time.

Who were some of the Roman emperors mentioned in the script?

Some of the Roman emperors mentioned include Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, and Vespasian.

What did Romans do in their free time?

Romans enjoyed spending time with friends and family, attending local events, playing games, and visiting bath houses. They also had objects like toy swords and dice for entertainment.

What is the significance of the Vindolanda tablets found in England?

The Vindolanda tablets are significant because they provide insights into daily Roman life, including the oldest surviving birthday party invitation and the earliest known female handwriting from Britain.

How did daily life in ancient Rome differ between citizens and slaves?

Citizens had the full protection of Roman law, access to better jobs, and could even become politicians. Non-citizens had paths towards citizenship, while slaves had no rights, were considered property, and often had hard lives.

What was the diet of Romans like, and did they eat anything similar to pizza?

Romans ate a variety of foods, including special meats and delicacies. Recent discoveries suggest they did eat a form of pizza, and they seasoned their food with sauces like garum, made from rotting fish.

What were the facilities like for Roman soldiers when it came to using the restroom?

Roman soldiers used public latrines, which were often located next to bath houses. These latrines had no privacy, and instead of toilet paper, Romans used sponges on sticks.

What language did the Romans speak, and how did it influence the empire?

The official language of the Roman Empire was Latin, used in important documents and by the army. The empire's vast size meant numerous languages were spoken, but Latin served as a unifying language.

What were the requirements for joining the Roman Army, and how much did soldiers earn?

Roman Army recruits had to meet a minimum height requirement and provide a letter of recommendation. They underwent rigorous training and learned discipline. Soldiers' earnings varied based on their role and length of service, with Roman legionaries in Britain earning about 300 denari a year.

Did women serve in the Roman army, and what roles did they play in military life?

Women were not allowed to be soldiers in the Roman army, but they were part of military life as family members of soldiers. They traveled with the army and were involved in camp life. One notable example is Empress Julia Domna, who was given the title 'Mother of the Camp'.