E. Napp

Rome’s Contributions to Civilization

In this lesson, students will be able to identify characteristics of Rome’s legacy to World History.

Students will be able to identify and/or define the following terms:

Classical Civilization Code of Justinian

Latin

E. Napp

The Romanswere skilled

engineers. Theybuilt many roads.

E. Napp

A Classical Civilization• A classical civilization is a civilization that

created important ideas and inventions that are still used today.

• The Romans developed a classical civilization.

• Many Roman ideas and inventions are still used today.

E. Napp

Roman architecture still inspires architectstoday.

E. Napp

Law• The Romans were the first people to

believe that a person was innocent until proven guilty and that all people were equal under the law.

• In 527 A.D., Emperor Justinian (a ruler of the Byzantine empire or former eastern Roman empire) collected all of the Roman laws in the Code of Justinian

E. Napp

The Byzantine emperor, Justinian, orderedthe collection of all Roman laws. Many Roman concepts concerning justice are

still used today.

E. Napp

Engineering

• The Romans were great builders.

• They built roads, bridges, and aqueducts.

• They developed concrete.

• Romans incorporated arches and domes into their buildings.

E. Napp

This is a dome inside a Roman bath.

E. Napp

Latin

• The Roman language, Latin, is the basis of many modern languages today.

• Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian are Latin languages.

• Without Latin, these languages would not exist.

E. Napp

Latin is the basis of many

modern languages.

E. Napp

The Pantheon

• The Roman emperor, Hadrian, had the Pantheon built.

• The Pantheon was a temple to the Roman gods.

• Its original roof is intact.

E. Napp

The Pantheon is a remarkable building.

E. Napp

The Roman Coliseum could seat 50,000 people.

E. Napp

Questions for Reflection:

• List three Roman accomplishments.• How does the Latin language still affect

people today?• List two Roman accomplishments

regarding engineering.• Why is Roman civilization considered a

classical civilization?• What was the Code of Justinian and why

was it important?