Roman Roman AchievementsAchievements

Greco-Roman Greco-Roman CivilizationCivilization

• Romans borrowed ideas from the Greeks.• Romans believed that Greek art, literature,

philosophy, and scientific genius were above others.

• Blending of Greek, Hellenistic (Greek, Persian, Egyptian, Indian), and Roman culture = Greco-Roman Civilization

Latin Latin LanguageLanguage

• Latin was the spoken and written language of Rome.

• Many forms of literature—poetry, histories, fictional stories, and dramas—were written in Latin.

• Latin could be understood throughout the Empire, and it became the language of the Roman Catholic church.

• Latin greatly influenced the vocabulary of many languages. The English word “justice,” for instance, comes from the Latin word “jus” meaning law.

• This same Latin root is also found in the French word “justice,” the Italian word “giustizia,” and the Spanish word, “justicia.”

Roman ReligionRoman Religion• Romans were initially polytheistic and required that

conquered people show respect for their gods.• During the Pax Romana, Christianity began and

spread along the roads and trade routes throughout the Roman Empire.

• Early Christians were persecuted for their beliefs – some became martyrs who sacrificed themselves for their beliefs.

Spread of Spread of ChristianityChristianity• In early Roman times, Christianity, a

new religion, was one of many religions. o Christians were persecuted (legally

punished) because they refused to worship the Roman gods and emperor.

o Many Christians were tortured and executed and became martyrs (people who suffer or die for their beliefs).

o Some were used as human torches, while others, as pictured above, were sent to the Circus Maximus arena to battle and be devoured by lions.

o The attempts by Roman authorities to eliminate Christianity backfired.

o People in the Roman Empire were so impressed by the faith of the martyrs that they converted to Christianity in large numbers.

o By A.D. 395, Christianity was declared the official religion of the Roman Empire and rapidly spread across the Roman world.

Roman SculptureRoman Sculpture• Created realistic

portraits in stone.• Bas-relief : images

project from a flat backgroundo Used to tell storieso Represent people,

soldiers, landscape

Roman MosaicsRoman Mosaics• Mosaics were

pictures or designs made by setting small pieces of stone, glass, or tile onto surface.

Roman FrescoesRoman Frescoes• Most wealthy Romans

had large, bright murals, called frescoes, painted directly on their walls.

Roman villa – home of wealthy Romans

Roman EngineeringRoman Engineering• Romans excelled in

the practical arts of building and perfecting their engineering skills

Roman ArchitectureRoman Architecture• Romans

emphasized grandeur to show power and dignity.

Development of the Development of the DomeDome• Romans learned how to use

columns and arches from both the Etruscans ad the Greeks, two groups that settled in Italy before Roman civilization developed.

• The Romans improved on design of arches by inventing the dome, a roof formed by rounded arches.

• Once Romans learned to use concrete, they were able to mold the domes on the ground. After the walls and columns of a building were constructed, the dome was hoisted into position on the top of a building. This achievement allowed architects to build enormous structures using domes.

• Today domed buildings, like the Arizona State Capitol and Montana Capitol building shown here, appear in many parts of the world.

Development of Development of AqueductsAqueducts• The need for a water

supply in cities led Romans to build aqueducts.

• Aqueducts, canal-like concrete structures, brought water from springs, wells, and distant lakes to people in cities.

• In order to supply drinking water to the Roman people, aqueducts tunneled through mountains and crossed valleys.

• Here we see an illustration of interconnected systems of aqueducts in ancient Rome.

• People became aware of the need for cleanliness – took back to their own lands.

PantheonPantheon• A temple to

all the Roman Gods

ColosseumColosseum• One of the greatest feats of Roman engineering

• Colossus – gigantic• Home of gladiator

fights, to animal hunts

Circus MaximusCircus Maximus

Roman AqueductsRoman Aqueducts• Bridgelike

structures carried water from mountains into cities.

Roman RoadsRoman Roads• Constructed throughout the Roman

Empire, over 52,000 miles• Were effective in helping to move the

army from place to place, and trade within the empire.

Example of how people adapt to their environment.

Via AppiaVia AppiaVia AppiaVia Appia

All roads lead to All roads lead to Rome!Rome!

Roman LawRoman Law• Most lasting and widespread contribution• Laws were fair and applied equally to all people.

o All persons had the right to equal treatment under the law.

o Innocent until proven guiltyo The burden of proof lies with the accuser, not

the accused.o A person should be punished for actions, not

for thoughts.o Guilt must be established “clearer than

daylight” through evidence.• These laws became the basis for legal systems in

Europe and Latin America

Republican Form of GovernmentRepublican Form of Government• Rome’s form of government

influenced other societies. • In 509 B.C., Rome set up

a republic-a government in which citizens vote to choose their leaders.

• By about 275 B.C., no single class of people dominated the government.

• Rather, the government was partly a monarchy (ruled by a king), partly an aristocracy (ruled by nobles, as was the Roman senate), and partly a democracy (government by the people).

• In the picture above, we see a Roman leader speaking in the Senate.

• The Constitution of the United States is based on the Roman Republic’s system of balancing the legislative, judicial, and executive powers of government.

Literature and HistoryLiterature and History• The Roman Empire was

unified through language. Latin was adopted by many different people and became the basis for other languages, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, and English.

• Poetry – Virgil wrote the Aeneid

• History – Livy – wrote The History of Rome from its foundation

Roman ScienceRoman ScienceA. Simplification of Greek knowledgeA. Simplification of Greek knowledge

B. Pliny the Elder (23 – B. Pliny the Elder (23 – 79)79)• Natural HistoryNatural History

• Facts, no theoryFacts, no theory• No skepticism about claimsNo skepticism about claims

“… “… the place which is known by the name of Geskleithron, the Arimaspi are said to the place which is known by the name of Geskleithron, the Arimaspi are said to exist . . . a nation remarkable for having but one eye, and that placed in the middle of exist . . . a nation remarkable for having but one eye, and that placed in the middle of the forehead. This race is said to carry on a perpetual warfare with the Griffins, a kind the forehead. This race is said to carry on a perpetual warfare with the Griffins, a kind of monster, with wings, as they are commonly represented, for the gold which they dig of monster, with wings, as they are commonly represented, for the gold which they dig out of the mines, and which these wild beasts retain and keep watch over with a out of the mines, and which these wild beasts retain and keep watch over with a singular degree of cupidity, while the Arimaspi are equally desirous to get possession singular degree of cupidity, while the Arimaspi are equally desirous to get possession of it.”of it.”

Roman MedicineRoman Medicine• Had a love-hate

relationship with all things Greek

• The Romans saw the Greeks as being dreamers whilst they were do-ers

• But they accepted that the Greeks had the best doctors in the world and transported many of them to Rome

Claudius GalenClaudius Galen• Born in Turkey – studied at

Alexandria• Most influential figure in

medicine for the next 1000 yearso Wrote many books that were used

all throughout the Middle Ages

• Revived the ideas of Hippocrates –Developed an interest in anatomy – but got lots of details wrong as he only officially dissected pigs

Roman public healthRoman public health• First to realise the

connection between dirty water and poor health

• Had Aqueducts and sewers• Realised that you had to

build towns and settlements away from swamps and near rivers

• Army had clean hospitals with good ventilation

Roman public healthRoman public health• Most Roman towns had

public baths• These served both

public health and social purposes

• They also had public lavatories

• These public health ideas benefited the people who lived in the empire as well as Rome

Jefferson MemorialJefferson MemorialJefferson MemorialJefferson Memorial

Lincoln MemorialLincoln MemorialLincoln MemorialLincoln Memorial

The US Capitol BuildingThe US Capitol BuildingThe US Capitol BuildingThe US Capitol Building

Statue of JusticeStatue of JusticeUS Supreme Court US Supreme Court

BuildingBuilding

Statue of JusticeStatue of JusticeUS Supreme Court US Supreme Court

BuildingBuilding

Federal Court Federal Court Building in NYCBuilding in NYCFederal Court Federal Court Building in NYCBuilding in NYC

Metropolitan Museum Metropolitan Museum of Artof Art

Metropolitan Museum Metropolitan Museum of Artof Art

Statue of LibertyStatue of LibertyStatue of LibertyStatue of Liberty