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• ROMAN CONTRIBUTIONS NOTES

6. Roman Contributions

I. Roman Contributions

A. Conquests and trade spread Roman Cultural

and technological achievements throughout

the Empire.

B. Western civilization was influenced by the cultural

achievements of Rome in art, architecture,

technology, science, literature, religion and law.

I. Roman Contributions

I. Roman Contributions

C. Architecture

1. The Pantheon (built in 126 AD)

a. In Latin means “to every god.”

b. Built in Rome as a temple to all the gods of Ancient Rome

I. Roman Contributions

1. The Pantheon (built in 126 AD)

I. Roman Contributions

C. Architecture

2. The Colosseum (built from 70-80 AD)

a. Constructed in the center of Rome

b. Considered one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering

I. Roman Contributions

C. Architecture

2. The Colosseum (built from 70-80 AD)

c. Capable of seating 70,000 to 80,000 spectators for:

1. Gladiator contests

2. Mock sea battles

3. Animal hunts

4. Executions

5. Re-enactments of famous battles

I. Roman Contributions2. The Colosseum (built from 70-80 AD)

I. Roman Contributions

C. Architecture

3. The Forum

a. An open plaza located in the center of Rome

b. It was the center of Roman public life

1. Governmental affairs and buildings located here

I. Roman Contributions

C. Architecture

3. The Forum

b. It was the center of Roman public life

2. Triumphal procession, elections, public speeches, criminal trials, and even gladiatorial matches

3. Also the center of trade in the city of Rome

I. Roman Contributions

3. The Forum

I. Roman Contributions

D. Technology

1. Roads

a. Rome built roads throughout its empire. These roads helped to facilitate trade and allowed the Roman military to move easily.

I. Roman Contributions

D. Technology

2. Aqueducts

a. Pipes that brought water into Roman cities from miles away. Some of these aqueducts are still in use today.

I. Roman Contributions

D. Technology

3. Roman Arches

a. Many Roman buildings have arches which are an effective building technique allowing them to build bigger and stronger buildings.

I. Roman ContributionsE. Science

1. Ptolemy

a. Ptolemy developed a system of astronomy based on the belief that the sun, stars and planets

revolve around the Earth.

I. Roman Contributions

F. Medicine

1. Romans placed an emphasis on public health

a. Public baths

b. Public water system

c. Medical schools

I. Roman Contributions

G. Language

1. Latin was the language of the Romans.

2. The modern Romance languages come from Latin:

a. French, Spanish, Portuguese, Romanian and some English

I. Roman Contributions

H. Literature

1. The poet Virgil wrote the epic poem Aeneid that tells the story of a prince of Troy.

I. Roman Contributions

I. Religion

1. Many of western civilization’s symbols, words and idealized images come from Roman Mythology (got ideas from Greece and polytheism).

2. Later Rome adopted Christianity, spreading it across the Empire.

I. Roman Contributions

J. Law

1. The laws of the Roman Empire produced the principle of innocent until proven guilty. This was a key component of the Twelve Tables.

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