Life in Ancient Times

Explore the complex religious life of ancient Rome, where religion played a vital role in the political, social, and personal aspects of people's lives. From the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus in Rome’s port city of Ostia to local shrines and colossal structures like the Pantheon, the ancient Romans worshipped a pantheon of gods, some local and others imported from across the Mediterranean.

Explore how Roman emperors, such as Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius, shaped not only the political landscape but also fashion trends and cultural movements. Hadrian, for instance, popularized wearing a beard, which became fashionable for a century after his reign. Roman gladiators, actresses, musicians, and authors, rose to prominence through their performances.

Explore the role of water in ancient Rome, a city sustained by 12 aqueducts that supplied its fountains, bathhouses, and even private homes. Rome’s population reached one million, an unprecedented number for antiquity, and the aqueducts were a marvel of Roman engineering, channeling water from natural springs into the bustling city.

Discover the diverse jobs of ancient Rome, from prestigious careers like soldiers and artisans to the unpleasant roles of bathhouse attendants and laundry workers. This episode explores the labor that sustained Rome's bustling economy and vibrant urban life.

Examine the multiculturalism that defined Imperial Rome, a city of nearly a million people drawn from across the Roman Empire. Much like the melting pot of modern New York, ancient Rome was home to a vast array of cultures, with immigrants bringing their own customs, languages, and gods to the capital.

Ancient Rome was a city of 1 million inhabitants. How were they fed? With bread! We’ll explore feeding Rome by baking bread just as they did in Rome and Pompeii. We’ll also explore ancient bakeries in Ostia Antica and the tomb of a baker!

The episode looks at the historical significance of sports in ancient cultures, emphasizing the immense popularity of events like the Olympics in Greece and the Ludi Romani, or "Roman Games," in Rome. Arya explains how these events were deeply intertwined with religious rituals, aimed at venerating and appeasing the gods who were believed to protect the city and its people. The spectators were not