Ch 1 Notes / 1
CH 1 The Legacy of the Roman Empire Pp 1 – 17
OVERVIEW OF CH 1
In this lesson, students learn the reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire and how ancient Roman culture continues to affect life today.
Students will discover more about an aspect of Roman culture, such as art, architecture and engineering, or language that influences us today.
CHAPTER 1 The Legacy of the Roman Empire
MAIN IDEAS:
THE ROMAN EMPIRE - 27 B.C.E. TO 476 C.E.
1.3 ART
1.4 ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING
1.5 LANGUAGE
1.6 WRITING
1.7 PHILOSOPHY, LAW, & CITIZENSHIP
READING NOTES FOR GREY NOTEBOOK
READ THE QUESTIONS AND THEN INSERT THE FOLLOWING ANSWERS:
PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND THE ANSWERS IN THE TEXT AND THAT I WILL ONLY HAVE THIS ANSWER UP FOR A FEW MINUTES!
CH 1 - The Legacy of the Roman Empire
Standards Used
7.1 Students analyze the causes and effects of the vast expansion and ultimate disintegration of the Roman Empire.
7.1.1.Study the early strengths and lasting contributions of Rome (e.g., significance of Roman citizenship; rights under Roman law; Roman art, architecture, engineering, and philosophy; preservation and transmission of Christianity) and its ultimate internal weaknesses (e.g., rise of autonomous military powers within the empire, undermining of citizenship by the growth of corruption and slavery, lack of education, and distribution of news).
7.1.2.Discuss the geographic borders of the empire at its height and the factors that threatened its territorial cohesion.
7.1.3.Describe the establishment by Constantine of the new capital in Constantinople and the development of the Byzantine Empire, with an emphasis on the consequences of the development of two distinct European civilizations, Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic, and their two distinct views on church-state relations.
READING NOTES CH 1
1.2 THE END OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE IN THE WEST PP.8+9
The 1st emperor of Rome=Caesar Augustus
1.2.1 Problems in the Late Empire
No single reason for end, instead historians point to a combination of reasons:
1. Political Instability
There was never a good way to transfer power, sometimes they fought each other for power and sometimes it was peaceful, but corrupt (not honest)
2. Economic and Social Problems
To finance the huge army, taxes were high + hurt the economy, created a gap bet rich + poor
Corruption was also a big problem
3. Weakening Frontiers
By 300 C.E. Germanic Tribes attacking border
Once the empire was so large local men were recruited into Roman Legions, but these soldiers had little loyalty to Rome
1.2.2 The Fall of Rome
Constantine moves capital to Byzantium – in 330 C.E.
After this, there are rulers in both cities, and they split the empire
West – Capital = Rome
East – Byzantium = (Constantinople)
In 410 C.E. a Germanic tribe attacks + loots Rome, and then leaves
476 C.E. last emperor in west driven out
Byzantine Empire lasts 1000 years longer
Rome’s fall did not mean the end of the Roman civilization, just that the Influence of Rome has lived on all the way to our time
1.3 ART p 8
What important art forms did the ancient Romans develop?
Romans created realistic statues and colorful mosaics.
They also painted frescoes that often showed (3D) three-dimensional landscapes.
Romans made decorative bottles of blown glass, developed the arts of gem cutting and metalwork, and created cameos.
What are some examples of Roman art forms that influence modern life?
Some examples of Roman art forms that influence modern life are:
1.murals on found in restaurants, banks, and on the sides of buildings;
2.the creation of lifelike statues;
3.cut gems and cameos found in jewelry stores.
1.4 ARCHITECTURE + ENGINEERING
What were some important architectural and engineering achievements of the ancient Romans?
Important architectural and engineering achievements of the Romans were:
1.the arch,
2.the vault,
3.and the dome.
They also used concrete to create large buildings.
1.The Romans developed the stadium and the triumphal arch.
2.They were also great road, bridge, and aqueduct builders.
What are some examples of Roman architecture and engineering that influence modern life?
Many modern churches, banks, and government buildings follow Roman designs.
Many communities have stadiums that are built like the Roman Coliseum.
Some modern freeways are built over Roman roads, & parts of aqueducts still used today
1.5 LANGUAGE AND WRITING -
How is the Latin alphabet different from the English alphabet?
The Latin alphabet has 23 letters while the English alphabet has 26 letters.
How were the numbers 1, 10, 100, and 1,000 written by the Romans?
1
/I
5
/V
10
/X
50
/L
100
/C
500
/D
1000
/M
What are some examples of Roman language that influence modern life?
Some examples of Roman language that influence modern life are the use of:
1.Roman proverbs,
2.Roman words such as civis,
3.Roman prefixes.
1.6 PHILOSOPHY, LAW, & CITIZENSHIP
What were the most important ideas in Roman philosophy, law, and citizenship?
The most important ideas in Roman philosophy were:
(1) live in a way that agrees w/nature and
(2) Theone truly good thing in life is to have good character.
The most important idea in Roman law is natural law, which says that everyone has certain rights.
Roman citizens had full rights and responsibilities in government and society.
What are some examples of ways Roman philosophy, law, and citizenship have affected modern life?
Today we call someone who bears pain and suffering bravely “stoic.”
Some modern legal codes in Europe are based on Roman laws.
Many people today believe that all humans have basic rights that no law can take away.
In the USA, all citizens have the same rights, which are protected by the Constitution.