stage 24 and 25 culture

Question 1

groma

Answer 1

tool used by surveyors to make roads straight

Question 2

how were roads built

Answer 2

• Cut was dug in the ground to outline the planned road (enforced if needed)
• 5 ft thick & 6-20 ft wide
• Surface of road was cambered (curved) for drainage
• Agger (ditches) - roads raised about 3ft for better drainage and view of land for troops

pavimentum (top, made of local materials - flat stones)

rolled sand concrete

smaller stones, concrete, or rubble

large stones (bottom)

Question 3

why were roads important to the Roman Empire

Answer 3

• trade
• communication
• imperial post
• military: controlling provinces

Question 4

pros of traveling in the roman empire

Answer 4

• imperial post: efficient
• romans roads were built well (still there today)
• roads linked main towns (easy to travel long distances)
• good signage
• inns available

Question 5

cons of traveling in the roman empire

Answer 5

• inns were in bad conditions and innkeepers were rude/dishonest
• sea travel was not safe, you had to pay to get on a merchant boat, and it was restricted by seasons + superstition
• slow/tiring
• robbers on the roads

Question 6

type of soldiers in the roman army

Answer 6

• centurions: leader of about 100 soldiers, assisted by the optio
• legionary: standard foot soldier
• aquilifer: bears standard of eagle/legion
• signifier: bears a different standard
• tribune: 6 tribunes in a legion, higher than a centurion

Question 7

other staff in the roman army

Answer 7

engineers + architects: build roads, camps

smiths: help w/ weapons

doctors/medical orderlies: heal wounds + help w/ sicknesses

clerks + accountants: take care of funds for the army, supplying necessities

cooks: feed troops

Question 8

pros of life in the army

Answer 8

• legionary: spent little time actually in combat
• get paid
• retirement: get plot of land
• could be exempt from taxes
• could receive citizenship
• see new parts of rome (travel)

Question 9

cons of life in the army

Answer 9

• Has to pay for food/clothing
• Away from home for long periods
• Strict discipline
• Risk injury/death
• Difficult training
• Labor/cleaning if not fighting