Rome’s Legacy World History/Napp
“Romans borrowed and adapted cultural elements freely, especially from the Greek and Hellenistic cultures. However, the Romans created a great civilization in their own right, whose art and architecture, language and literature, engineering, and law became its legacy to the world.
By the second century B.C., Romans had conquered Greece and had come to greatly admire Greek culture. Educated Romans learned the Greek language. As Horace, a Roman poet, said, ‘Greece, once overcome, overcame her wild conqueror.’ The mixing of elements of Greek, Hellenistic, and Roman culture produced a new culture, called Greco-Roman culture. This is also often called classical civilization.
Roman artists, philosophers, and writers did not merely copy their Greek and Hellenistic models. They adapted them for their own purposes and created a style of their own. Roman art and literature came to convey the Roman ideals of strength, permanence, and solidity.
Romans learned the art of sculpture from the Greeks. However, while the Greeks were known for the beauty and idealization of their sculpture, Roman sculptors created realistic portraits in stone. Much Roman art was practical in purpose, intended for public education. Roman artists were particularly skilled in creating mosaics. Mosaics were pictures or designs made by setting small pieces of stone, glass, or tile onto a surface. Most Roman villas, the country houses of the wealthy, had at least one colorful mosaic.” ~ World History
- What is Greco-Roman culture?
- In what way did Roman art differ from Greek art?
- How does the study of art provide insights into a culture or a people?
- Provide examples of cultural diffusion from the reading.
These architectural achievements best indicate that
1. advanced technology existed in early civilizations
2. religion was of little importance
3. entertainment was important to these ancient societies
4. trade routes existed between China and the Americas
Learning and Literature / Legacy / Roman Law- Romans borrowed much of their philosophy from the
Greeks
- The poet Virgil spent ten years writing the most famous work of Latin literature, the Aeneid, the epic of the legendary Aeneas
- Virgil modeled the Aeneid, written in praise of Rome and Roman virtues, after the Greek epics of Homer
- Yet the poet Ovid wrote light, witty poetry for enjoyment
- Tacitus, a Roman historian, is notable among ancient historians because he presented the facts accurately / - Latin, the language of the Romans, remained the language of learning in the West
- It was the official language of the Roman Catholic Church into the 20th century
- Latin developed into French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and Romanian
- These languages are called Romance languages because of their Roman heritage
- Latin also influenced other languages; for example, more than half the words in English have a basis in Latin
- The Romans were also skilled builders
- The arch, the dome, and concrete were combined to build spectacular structures, such as the Colosseum
- Aqueducts were designed by Roman engineers to bring water into cities and towns
- Roman roads were also technological marvels / - Rome’s most lasting and widespread contribution was its law
- As the empire grew, however, the Romans came to believe that laws should be fair and apply equally to all people, rich and poor
- Some of the most important principles of Roman law were:
*All persons had the right to equal treatment under the law
*A person was considered innocent until proven guilty
*The burden of proof rested with the accuser rather than the accused
* A person should be punished only for actions, not thoughts
*Any law that seemed unreasonable or grossly unfair could be set aside
Identify and explain the following terms:
Virgil
Ovid
Tacitus
Latin
Colosseum
Roman Roads
Principles of Roman Law
- What influence did Latin have on the development of Western languages?
- Which principle of law do you think has been Rome’s greatest contribution to modern legal systems?
- Do you agree with Horace’s claim that when it came to culture, Greece in essence conquered Rome? Explain.
- Describe how the world might be different if Rome had not existed.
- Imagine you are a historian. Write an expository essay describing the importance of Rome’s legacy.
Review: Greeks and Romans
Which society practiced direct democracy?1. ancient Athens
2. dynastic China
3. Gupta Empire
4. early Egypt
What was one effect of Alexander the Great’s conquests?
1. expansion of Hellenistic culture
2. formation of the Christian church
3. decreased importance of the Silk Roads
4. increased support of the Mayan leaders
One contribution of ancient Roman culture was the development of
1. the concept of zero
2. the process of making silk
3. a republican form of government
4. the printing press / What effect did the geography of ancient Greece have on its early development?
1. The mountainous terrain led to the creation of independent city-states.
2. A lack of natural seaports limited communication.
3. An inland location hindered trade and colonization.
4. Abundant natural resources encouraged self-sufficiency.
· Roman women could own property.
· Roman women could make wills leaving their property to whomever they chose.
A valid conclusion drawn from these facts is that Roman women
1. had the right to vote
2. enjoyed some legal rights
3. were equal to men
4. could hold political offices
- What features of the Colosseum do you find most beautiful – most useful – and worthiest of copying? Why?