Assignment 1: Roman History

Both the sewer system and the aqueducts in Barcino helped to improve life for the citizens of the city by moving sewage (which could cause disease) quickly away from the populated areas, and by bringing in clean water from the north. The walls that protected the city were up to 6 feet thick, made of cement and brick, and enclosed an area of about 25 acres. The streets of Barcino, organized in the usual Roman style (shaped sort of like a cross, with 2 main streets), with the Forum in Placa Sant Jaume.  In Barcelona today, you can still see some of the Roman influences from the past. In the Jaume area, you can still picture the original street plan, and Barcelona as a whole has an organized street system as well. It is also interesting to note that in the same location as the Roman Forum, today there exists Barcelona's political center - the Ajuntament and the Generalitat.

Ancient walls

Sewer system

Remains of the aqueduct

Some Catalan buildings today have certain similarities.  One feature that was very important to famous architect Antoni Gaudi, tile mosaics, was also often used in Roman homes and other buildings.  Others include arches and columns, which can be seen all over the city.

In 312 AD, an edict from Rome's emperor (Constantine) made Christianity the official religion of the entire Roman empire.  Previously, Barcelona/Barcino had believed in and worshiped various Pagan gods, so it was a difficult transition to the belief in only one Christian god.  The people kept many of their Pagan gods and traditions, but many of the gods were renamed as Christian "saints".  Wine was very important during the polythestic times, and the wine god Bacchus was worshipped.  When Barcino became Christian, the importance of wine translated into Christianity as well (as the blood of Christ).

The Roman house was called "domus romana".  One aspect they contained was called an "atrium," or an inner courtyard.  This courtyard allowed lots of light to get into the home, and was sometimes a center of activity for the family.  Similarly, many apartment buildings in Barcelona today have an inner courtyard where children can play and neighbors can socialize.  The domus romana also contained a dining room, which was considered the most important room in the house (because eating was a very important social occasion.  Similarly, dining in Barcelona today is an important social occasion as well, and therefore dining rooms are an important part of the home.  In both eras, allowing someone to dine in your dining room with you was an indication of how much they trusted you.

Another important Roman architectural feature was the arch - they used this in aqueducts, entryways, building structures, and triumphal arches (among many more).  These can be seen all across Barcelona, as well as around the world. (See the picture of the aqueduct above).

The first Roman-inspired buildings that come to mind from America are our courthouses (especially within Washington, DC).  Many have several columns in front, which are very reminiscent of the columns used in Roman temples.  Another prominent American example is the White House, and yet another is the Capitol building.

The museum showed examples of objects used for many different domestic Roman habits.  They had makeup and makeup containers for women on display, including dishes, brushes, and other tools.

They also displayed several fish hooks and weights, because fishing was such an important part of ancient Barcelona's culture - and her culture today as well!

The museum also displayed several ceramic bowls and dishes and metal spoons for eating.  They seem to have very similar shapes and makes as those today.

Additionally, the Romans had a very advanced technology - what Xavi referred to as "iPads" of their time.  These were note-taking tablets that were coated with wax so they could be erased and reused over and over again.

The most important food item in Barcino was a fermented fish sauce called garum, made in large vats from the unwanted parts of fish.  It was one of Barcino's main exports and was highly prized.
Originally wine was a huge part of the diet of Romans in Barcino.  Bacchus was the god of wine and winemaking.  One of the things that Romans did with wine was to pour some of it on the ground after tasting it in honor of a god.  Wine was also produced in Barcino; it was a less alcoholic, less expensive wine and was one of Barcino's exports.  When Christianity took over, they continued the symbolic and religious uses of wine.  Today in Catalunya, wine is still an important staple.  Catalunya is particularly famous for it's sparkling wine, called cava, and its dark red wine, called vi negre.

The vats in which garum was fermented