The Lasting Contributions of Rome

Standard 7.1

ROMAN ACHIEVEMENTS

The Romans developed innovations that are still used today; what made them such influential innovators?

Definition of “INNOVATION”: something new or original (such as an idea, an invention, a device, a method)

ROME: AN EMPIRE OF INNOVATION

Rome’s location on the Mediterranean Sea allowed for trade and cultural diffusion (blending of cultures) with other people and nations

ROME: AN EMPIRE OF INNOVATION

Through the cultural diffusion, the Romans were able to borrow the best ideas from other civilizations (especially the Greeks) and improve upon them

ROME: AN EMPIRE OF INNOVATION

The wealth of the Roman Empire, especially during Pax Romana, enabled the Romans to promote culture and invention

Architecture

• Public Works were structures built by the government for the use of the public. They built public baths, temples, bridges, forums, and marketplaces
• The three most important innovations were the arch, cement, and the baked brick

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Roman Architecture

The Romans were tremendously skilled builders; they improved upon Greek designs with two new architectural features: arches and domes

Roman Architecture

ARCHES: these are curved structures over an opening that can support its own weight; arches were used to create enormous buildings like the Coliseum and the Pantheon

Roman Architecture

DOMES: they created vast open spaces and ceilings inside buildings (like the Pantheon) and magnificent exteriors

Roman Architecture

The Romans built arenas (like the famous Coliseum in the city of Rome) so thousands of people could attend “circuses” (entertainments such as gladiator battles)

Roman Architecture

What are three similarities between the Roman Coliseum and the Georgia Dome?

Engineering

• The Romans invented cement, which was stronger than stone and designed huge arches and domes with it.
• They also used concrete to build more than 50,000 miles of roads. This helped unify the empire.
• Aqueducts carried water from the countryside to the city.

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Water Supplies

• Public fountains supplied clean water to citizens.
• Sewer systems carried away wastewater.
• Public baths were available for all to enjoy.

Roman Engineering: Roads

The Romans built the largest and longest-lasting network of roads in the Ancient World

At the height of the Empire, Roman roads stretched for 56,000 miles and included 29 major highways

Roman Engineering: Roads

At first, the roads were built to move soldiers quickly, but eventually the roads served many people for many purposes, especially as trade routes

Roman Engineering: Aqueducts

One of the Romans’ greatest engineering feats was channeling water to their cities throughout the Empire

Roman engineers built the aqueducts to move the cold, clear water from springs to towns; sometimes they would be up to 250 miles long

Roman Engineering: Aqueducts

Some Roman aqueducts are up and still in use today; one in Spain is 95 feet above the ground and 2388 feet long

Art

• Romans created

masterpieces of art in sculpture, painting, pottery, and mosaics.

• Frescos were painted on walls throughout the cities.
• The arts were greatly influenced by the Greeks.

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The Roman Civil Service

Augustus set up a civil service with skilled and salaried workers to take care of the running of the Empire

Rome’s first emperor, Augustus, created several systems to help himself rule the enormous Roman Empire

The Roman Civil Service

These bureaucrats helped oversee the Empire by keeping track of such operations as grain production, the roads, mail delivery, and tax collection

Roman Law and Citizenship

• In 451 B.C., the leaders of the Roman Republic wrote the Twelve Tables. This code of laws dealt with daily Roman life.
• Citizenship gave people the right to participate in government and gave them equal rights under the law.

Influence of Roman Law

• The United States and many European and Latin nations have been influenced by Roman law.
• Principles of the Roman Republic, such as equal justice under the law, are still important.

Roman Government

The Romans’ republican government is very similar to the American government today

The Legacy of Language

• The Romance languages (Spanish, Italian, French…) are based on Latin, the language of the Romans.
• Our alphabet is based on the Roman alphabet.

The Christian Religion

• Christianity, based on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, urged followers to love God and one another.
• Though Jesus was executed under Roman rule, his message was carried throughout the empire by his followers.
• Early on, Christians were persecuted, but in the 300’s A.D., Emperor Constantine made it the official religion of the Empire.
• Today, Christianity is the largest religion in the world.