Ancient Rome and the Origins of

Christianity

Lesson 3: The Legacy of Rome

BELLWORK

Answer the following question with your neighbor:

List and describe the Roman ideas and institutions that have influenced the Western civilization?

Lesson 3 Objectives

● Summarize the works of Roman literary figures, historians, and philosophers

● Describe the art and architecture developed by the Romans

● Understand how the Romans applied science and mathematics for practical use

● Explain how Rome’s rule of law influenced modern legal systems

● Summarize the Roman ideas and institutions that have influenced Western civilization

Roman Literature, History, and Philosophy

Roman spread their language and civilization through war and conquest

They developed a civilization that was not just Roman but a combination of the Greek, Hellenistic, and Roman way of life

Greco-Roman

Rome absorbed ideas from the Greek

colonies of southern Italy

Borrowed heavily from Greek culture

Art, literature, philosophy,

mathematical, and scientific knowledge

showed cultural achievement

Over Time

Romans adopted Greek and

Hellenistic achievements, as the

Greeks did with Egyptian and

Mesopotamian cultures and

traditions

This blending created the

Greco-Roman civilization

Trade and travel helped spread the

new form of civilization

Roman Writers

Roman literature admired the Greeks

Many spoke Greek and imitated the

style in prose and poetry

They also used Latin to create their

own literature

Virgil wrote the Aeneid to show

Rome’s heroic past and to arouse

patriotism and unite Rome

Roman Writers

Poets satirized Roman society to

point out the struggles and

corruption by the officials

Some had to use fictitious names and

events in order to prevent their own

persecution

Historians

These men pursued specific themes

The rise and fall of the power of

Rome over time

Patriotism and a restoration of

Roman virtues using the past

Retelling the tales of the great heroes

of the past

The flaws of their leaders

Philosophers

Modelled after the Greeks

Stoicism was admired by Roman

thinkers

Stressing the importance of duty and

acceptance of one’s fate

Concerned about the well-being of all

people

Roman Art, Architecture, and Drama

Rome left being much art and architecture across their entire empire

Much of it is based on the Greek and Etruscan models

Rome adapted these influences and developed their own style

Realism

Imported Greek statues to decorate

homes, gardens, and public

monuments

Sculptors adapted the realistic style

of Hellenistic works, reality of the

subject

New: they created portraits in stone

or on coins that revealed a person’s

characters

Capture of expression as well

Wealthy Romans

Displayed fine works of art in their

homes such as frescoes

Artist’s depicted scenes from daily

life

Mosaics were also common in many

homes

Theater

Romans loved to attend this form of

entertainment

Audiences enjoyed comedies about

Roman life

They featured songs and dances

along with humor and those of

mistaken identity

Architecture

England, Spain, North Africa, and the

Middle East have Roman buildings

still today

Combination of Greeks and Roman

elements

Improved structural things like

columns and arches

Invented concrete, rounded domes

for roofs

Architecture

Many were built to honor the Roman

gods

The Colosseum was the beginning of

the sporting stadiums of today

Many forms of buildings for public,

legal, official, and even governmental

are modelled on Roman temples

Roman Achievements in Science and Engineering

Most scientific research was left to the Greeks, citizens of the empire

These people sought to learn more about the world

Roman scientists had practical uses

Roads and bridges along with medical changes were common

Science and Engineering

Romans excelled in engineering

Developed structures and machines

Built roads, bridges, and harbors

were spread across the empire

These were so solidly built that many

remained in use for a long period of

time after Rome fell

Aqueducts

Romans built immense aqueducts

that carried water from the hills into

the cities of the empire

This water supplied the people and

the public bath houses that everyone

enjoyed

New Ideas in Science

Alexandria, Egypt remained the

center of learning for Hellenistic

scientists exchanged ideas freely

Ptolemy proposed his theory about

the Earth being the center of the

universe

Galen advanced medical science by

experimenting to prove a conclusion

New Ideas in Science

Romans spent most of the time

applying science to practical uses

Mapping to increase geographical

knowledge

Medical knowledge to help common

ailments

Roman Law United the Empire

The greatest legacy of Rome was its commitment to the rule of law and to justice

These ideas later shaped Western civilization for many places

Key principles of Roman law became the basis for legal systems throughout the world

Rome’s System of Law Emerges

During the republic Rome developed

a system of law known as civil law

that applied to the citizens

Rome expanded and ruled many

foreigners who were not covered

under the civil law

Second system of law, the law of

nations, emerged, and applied to all

people under Roman rule - citizen

and non citizen

These two systems merged into one

when Rome became an empire

Principles of Roman Law

Basic principles evolved

An accused person is presumed

innocent until proven guilty

The accused was allowed to face the

accuser and mount a defense against

the charge

Guilt must be established

Trial by jury