Like any other great culture, Rome borrowed heavily from its neighbors and ancestors. Perhaps the most influential of which were the Etruscans, with whom Rome warred with early in its history. From the Etruscans they learned how to build cities, fashion, drama, and music. Circa 700 B.C. Rome learned the art of reading of writing from the Etruscans, who in turn learned it from the Greeks. The Empire expanded to encompass many different religions and cultures. At its widest extent the empire covered 2.5 million square miles and was home to 100 million people.
The Roman towns and cities were the heart of the Empire. Roman towns were generally founded as colonies in subdued territories by military veterans or to serve as administration centers.
The center of a typical Roman town was the forum, which was a large open plaza. The forum was the center of business as citizens gathered in the morning to buy and sell products.
In the afternoon focus shifted to the bath houses. The bath house was a large complex structure where citizens could enjoy a steam bath to cleanse themselves and then cool off. The bath houses were often gathering points for business.
Contests of athletic prowess were very important. Nearly every important city had an amphitheater, stadium, and/or a circus. The stadium was a center for combat. Gladiators were pitted against each other, and sometimes wild animals, in battles to the death. Groups of captured enemies were often forced to do battle. Occasionally a stadium was even flooded to allow a naval battle.
The circus was another popular draw. The circus featured horse-drawn chariot races which took place amid heavy betting from the spectators.
Theaters were very important. The most popular forms of entertainment were mimes and ballets. Plays were not performed often, but when they were they usually concerned light-hearted subjects.
The Romans were expert engineers. The invention of concrete allowed the Romans to build strong walls around their towns and aqua ducts to carry water to the cities. A complex road system was which facilitated a strong trade network.
Three classes of people existed in the Empire: the aristocracy, the plebeians, and slaves. The wealthy aristocracy were well educated and raised for public office. The plebes were the poorer of the two free citizens divisions. Most were farmers, but merchants, artisans, and other professions were included. It was not until 451 B.C. when The Laws of the Twelve Tables, which provided the basis for Roman law, that plebes could hold office.
Slavery was an accepted practice in the Roman Empire. It is estimated that by 100 B.C. one third of the population were slaves. Slaves usually came from prisoners of war. The Romans realized that a happy slave would do better work than an ill-treated slave, so most household slaves were treated well often being given freedom and becoming good family friends. Conditions for industrial slaves was wretched and cruel.
The might of the Roman Empire was its military. The Romans learned the art of war early in their history from their battles with the Etruscans. It was from them that the Romans learned how to implement the phalanx. During the First Punic War the Romans learned the art of sea warfare. Their usual tactic was to ram the opposing vessel and to lower a crosswalk allowing soldiers to rush across to the enemy's vessel.
Soldiers were the basis of the Roman army. The typical soldier wore body army and a helmet for protection. They used javelins to hurl at the enemy before closing to do close combat with a short sword. 80-100 soldiers composes a unit known as a "century". 60 centuries made up a legion. At the height of the Empire 30 legions protected its frontiers. Soldiers were skilled engineers as well as fighters. When not in battle they were commissioned to construct roads and bridges. They were also capable of digging fortified ditches to protect their encampments. These fortifications often saved an army when a battle was lost and they were forced to retreat back to camp.
The Roman soldier was not the only unit in the army. They were often supported by auxiliaries who would enter combat before the legions. These auxiliaries were usually non-Roman soldiers from subdued territories.
Many religions were recognized in the Roman Empire. The official Roman religion encompassed many gods and goddesses. Most towns contained several temples dedicated to the various gods and goddesses. The chief temple was usually located in the forum. Every house had its own private gods called the Lares and the Penates.
All religions were tolerated in the Empire as long as homage was paid to the official worship of the emperor. The Christians refused to pay this homage which led to their persecutions beginning in 64 A.D. Christianity persisted despite the persecutions. By the second century A.D. it was one of the two most popular foreign religions. The other was the Persian cult of Mithras, which was popular among soldiers. In 313 A.D. Constantine the Great advocated the worship of Christianity after winning a battle during which he believed he received help from the Christian god. He was baptized on his deathbed. Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire in 341 A.D. under emperor Theodosius.