Rich and Poor in the U.S. and Rome

By: Brandon Byrnes

And Alex Paradis

went largely to the top 1 percent, whose incomes rose to an average of

more than $1.1 million each, an increase of more than $139,000, or

about 14 percent

•In 2005, the government gave temporary assistance to approximately 2,000,000 needy people. In comparison, more than twice as many people (nearly 5,000,000) were granted welfare in 1995.

• The new data also shows that the top 300,000 Americans collectively enjoyed almost as much income as the bottom 150 million Americans.

Rich poor in the U.S.

• Per person, the top group received 440 times as much as the average person in the bottom half earned, nearly doubling the gap from 1980.

Rich and poor of Rome

As with any city, Rome had its rich and poor areas. The poor could only afford to live in wooden houses which were a serious fire risk in a hot country like Italy. On a number of occasions, Rome suffered severe damage as a result of fires starting in the city’s slums.

Rich and Poor of Rome

• The slums were also dangerous places to go to if you had any money as crime was very common. The Emperor Augustus created a police force to patrol the city but the poor areas remained all but untamed. However, for the influential people of Rome, this was of little importance as they never visited such areas

Rich and Poor of Rome

• Gaius Marius was the man who organized the army into the most effective fighting machine on earth. At times it appeared nothing could withstand the mighty legions of Rome.

Rich and Poor of Rome

• . It was Marius who changed the way the army organized itself. Men from the provinces could now sign up to serve in the Roman army, and in time become Roman citizens themselves. So too was it Marius who granted land to the veterans of the legions in reward for their services.

Rich and Poor of Rome

• He also won some famous battles with his new army, most famous of all the Aquae Sextiae and Campi Raudii, where his victories saved Italy and Rome from an invasion of barbarians from the north.

Rich and Poor of Rome

• Julius Caesar is no doubt the most famous Roman of them all! He conquered Gaul in a brilliant campaign which is still used in studies for training generals today. His victories in Gaul brought into the empire what should later become one of the most important new territories to the empire.

Works cited

• http://www.govspot.com/know/welfare.htm

• http://www.carseyinstitute.unh.edu/images/photos/NNE_map_lg.gif