Medicine and Science
Who was Hippocrates?
Who was Sulis / Minerva
Sulis was the local goddess associated with the hot spring at Aquae Sulis. She was merged after Roman conquest with the Roman goddess Minerva and became known as "Sulis Minerva"
What were vota
Vota were vows made by Romans that they would give a gift or sacrifice to a god after the god had given them something or ensured a good outcome to a trip, expedition, etc.
What was a groma?
an old fashioned Roman level used for surveying & making sure roads would be straight
What was an exercitus?
"exercitus" is the generic Latin name for an army
Who was Euclid?
A famous Greek mathematician who created the basis for the study of geometry in the ancient world
What was a hypocaust?
The hypocaust was a system of heating the rooms of a bath by means of a furnace beneath the floor and a system of pipes and vents carrying heat to different rooms and baths.
What were religious colleges?
Groups of Roman nobles who were responsible for carrying out various religious duties.
What was a diploma?
What was the inquisitio?
A review board that inspected new recruits to make sure they were fit for military service
What was astronomy?
The study of the stars and planets
What was a haruspex?
a type of soothsayer who inspected the entrails of sacrificed animals to predict the will of the gods
What was the Pontifex Maximus?
The head of all Roman religious (usually the emperor during the imperial period)
When was the sailing season?
March to November at most
What was a centurio?
The leader of a century (around 80 men). There were usually 60 per legion. They were usually experienced and proven soldiers.
What was the heliocentric model of the universe?
A model in which the sun was at the center rather than the earth
What was the history and significance of Aquae Sulis 1) prior to Roman presence in Britain, 2) during Roman occupation of Britain, and 3) today?
1) a local hot spring associated with healing and the goddess Sulis
2) a special destination for all of Roman Britain, famous for its hot spring baths and temple as a source of healing
3) Aquae Sulis is an important archaeological site and tourist attraction
What was deification?
When someone was officially declared to be a god after their death (often happened with the emperor)
What was pavimentum?
The top layer of a Roman road, similar to cobblestones today. It was usually cambered to promote drainage.
What was an optio?
The second in command to a centurion (like an assistant)
In what ways were ancient medical practices and beliefs similar to modern medicine? In what ways did they differ from modern practices?
Medical practices could be similar in the sense that they had detailed knowledge of certain parts of the body, used some similar treatments (like bandages and pain relieving medicines), emphasized healthy living and cleanliness, and performed minor surgeries. Medical practices were different in that some of the methods of treatment were useless or potentially harmful, and knowledge about the interior workings of the body was limited.
Describe the basic process of making a defixio. List at least 3 steps/details.
1) The name of the offender is written on a lead tablet with details of the crime
2) The offender is dedicated to god who was called on to punish the offender
3) If the offender was unknown, a list of suspects was provided
4) The completed tablet was rolled or folded then fastened to a tomb with a nail or thrown into a well or spring
What was the official Roman state approach to religious pluralism? Which forms of worship were particularly promoted by the state?
The Romans happily tolerated a diversity of religious beliefs and often incorporated the local religions of conquered peoples into their system of religion. They did however require all citizens to worship the official state pantheon of Roman gods, and to worship the emperor during the imperial period.
What was the original purpose of Roman roads? What other related features evolved to meet the needs of the empire?
The purpose of Roman roads was originally to make travel fast and efficient for the Roman army, because they needed to be able to quickly deploy troops to any part of the empire. Over time the roads became important for trade and personal travel. In addition, the cursus publicus (an official mail service for imperial business) developed over time, making rapid communication possible from any point in the empire to any other point.
What kinds of career benefits did soldiers in the Roman army receive?
Soldiers received a small wage to begin with, but were eligible for promotion, and if they served their full term (25 years) they would receive additional money and land to retire on. Auxiliaries who were not already Roman citizens would be granted citizenship.