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How far did Roman punishments reflect Roman society?

By the end of the lesson you should be able to..... •Explain some of the crimes and punishments handed out in Roman Britain •Explain why these punishments were given •Evaluate how far punishments reflected society

Starter

In your book, write ‘Roman Punishment’ in the centre of your page. Using the images, you should write down the different types of punishments you can identify. You should then think about words that best describe the punishments you can see. Include these on your mind map.

A Roman carving depicting a noblemen being exiled.

A drawing depicting a criminal being pushed off Tarpeian Rock.

A drawing depicting a criminal being flogged.

A Mosaic depicting a Bear devouring a criminal.

Roman Crucifixions

Some criminals were forced to become Gladiators.

Task

Order the punishments in degree of severity. Place the most severe at the top and the least severe at the bottom. You must be able to explain your decision! Write the most severe and least severe in your books!

Task

Look at the crime cards in front of you. You should categorise them into three groups:

Minor Crime More Serious Crime Most Severe Crime Once you have had your answers checked – you should record them on your sheet. Using the information sheet you should then add the different punishments that match the crimes. Grade B-A* = Answer extension questions in your book!

Describe the ways in which the Roman approach to crime and punishment reflected Roman Society.

(9 marks)

Describe the ways in which the Roman approach to crime and punishment reflected Roman Society. (9 marks)

1-3 marks

• Answer will contain general comments but will lack detail. • E.g. Punishments were harsh.

4-6 marks

• Answer will describe one or two aspects with more detail. • E.g. Examples of how crimes carrying the death penalty were used as a deterrent.

7-9 marks

• The answer will make secure links between features of society, and crime and punishment. • E.g. Crimes against the Emperor • E.g. Punishment of slaves

Roman Punishments The most frequent crimes were lesser ones such as small-scale theft or selling under-weight bread. Burglaries and street-crimes involving robbery were also common. Riots at games, chariot races, and gladiatorial contests also took place from time to time. The most serious crimes were considered to be those that challenged the authority of those in power. The Roman Empire was made up of many different countries and peoples, and anything that threatened this was seen as a dreadful crime. As such people who rebelled or plotted against the Emperor and Empire were given the most harsh punishments. The Emperor of Rome was worshiped as part of the official civic religion. People who refused to do this were seen as particularly dangerous. When Christians refused, they were severely punished. The big idea of Roman punishment was to deter potential criminals by harsh punishment. Romans made punishments harsh in the belief that this would deter other people from committing crimes. Prisons were not used as a method of punishments, they were only used to hold people until their trial. Executions were common, and were held in public for people to see. However, how you were punished depended on who you were.

Roman Punishments Citizens (ordinary Romans) Citizens could be put to death for serious crimes such as: Arson, attacking the Emperor, robbing temples and stealing farm animals. For less serious crimes such as theft and selling underweight bread, punishments included: whipping, confiscation of property, or repaying the cost of goods. For most severe crimes, such as rebellion and religious non-conformity (not following the correct religion) punishments ranged from: Execution by crucifix, being thrown to the lions, being forced to become a Gladiator. Nobles A nobleman was a person with high political or social status. Due to their position and power a nobleman could be sentenced to death for serious crimes but they were allowed to go into exile (they were sent away permanently from society). Slaves Slaves were treated most harshly out of all the classes in Roman society. If a slave murdered or tried to murder the master of their house ALL of the slaves in the household were crucified. Legionaries Soldiers who ran away in battle faced execution. One in every ten men from the legion that they ran away from was chosen randomly and also executed. This was called decimation.

Arson

Robbing Temples

Stealing farm animals

Attacking the Emperor

Religious nonconformity

Murder

(E.g. Christians refusing to worship the Emperor)

Selling Underweight Bread

Rebellion An act of violence or defiance against the Emperor.

Slaves plotting to kill their master.

Theft

A Roman carving depicting a noblemen being exiled.

Minor Crime

Examples of punishments given:

Most Severe Crime

More Serious Crime

Examples of punishments given:

Answer these questions in your book. How were noblemen treated differently to other people in society? Grade B-A* = Why do you think Slaves and Legionaries given these types of punishments?

Examples of punishments given:

Grade B-A*= Why do you think the examples given for Most Severe Crime were viewed so seriously?

Minor Crime Theft Selling underweight-bread

ANSWER SHEET

More Serious Crime

Murder Robbing Temples Stealing Farm Animals Arson Examples of punishments given:

Examples of punishments given:

Most Severe Crime Rebellion Religious non-conformity Attacking the Emperor Slaves plotting to kill their master

Examples of punishments given:

Answer these questions in your book. How were noblemen treated differently to other people in society? Grade B-A* = Why do you think Slaves and Legionaries given these types of punishments? Grade B-A*= Why do you think the examples given for Most Severe Crime were viewed so seriously?

Describe the ways in which the Roman approach to crime and punishment reflected Roman Society. (9 marks) Begin by describing the structure of society. (Think about who was important and who was not) Identify three or four punishments and explain how these reflected society e.g. Christians being punished very severely because they challenged the Emperor by refusing to worship him.

How will I be marked?

Mark:

1-3 marks

• Answer will contain general comments but will lack detail. • E.g. Punishments were harsh.

4-6 marks

• Answer will describe one or two aspects with more detail. • E.g. Examples of how crimes carrying the death penalty were used as a deterrent.

7-9 marks

• The answer will make secure links between features of society, and crime and punishment. • E.g. Crimes against the Emperor • E.g. Punishment of slaves What you need to do next time to improve this type of question: