Transcript Rome and the Roots of Western Civilization

Rome and the Roots of
Western Civilization
Chapter 6 Unit 5
Notes
Rome and the Roots of Western Civilization
Main Idea: POWER AND AUTHORITY - Rome
developed many ideas that we find
fundamental today
Why Now: Evidence of Rome’s culture can
be found in Europe, N.A., Asia, and Africa
Terms: Greco-Roman, Pompeii, Virgil,
Tacitus, aqueduct
Setting the Stage:
• Rome adapted Greek/Hellenistic cultures
but also developed own identity that is
still seen today
The Legacy of Greco-Roman Civilization
• Hundreds of small territories all together
and governed the same way
• 2nd c. BC Rome conquered Greece
– Immediately admired
– Mixing Greek, Hellenistic, Roman = Greco
Roman culture (classical civ.)
• Didn’t copy but adapted to create own
style
The Legacy of Greco-Roman Civilization
Roman Fine Art
• Learned sculpture from the Greeks
– Greece = beauty and idealization
– Rome = realistic and practical
• Used for educational purposes
• Developed new sculpture method = bas relief
– Images project from a flat background
• Mosaics = pictures/designs using small pieces of materials and
arranging them on a surface
• Excelled in art, frescoes = painted on wet plaster
– Many have been found in Pompeii (AD 79 Mt. Vesuvius erupted
covering town in ash, killed 2,000 but perserved art and buildings
The Legacy of Greco-Roman Civilization
Learning and Literature
• Romans borrowed from Greek
philosophy (Stoicism and Zeno)
– Encouraged virtue, duty, moderation,
and endurance
• Virgil spent 10 years writing his epic
poem Aeneid (modeled after
Homer)
The Legacy of Rome
• Still see presence of Rome in language,
institutions, and thoughts
Latin Languages
• Language of the Romans, remained after
fall of Rome
• Official language of the Catholic church
until 20th c.
• Developed Romance languages:
– French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and
Romanian
The Legacy of Rome
Master Builders
• Colosseum from colossus “gigantic”:
– Religious festivities held, as well as gladiator games
• AD 72-81, can hold up to 50,000, made of stone and
concrete, stands 157 ft high and 620 feet long,
arena is 287 ft long and 180 ft wide
• Aqueducts: designed to bring water into cities and towns
• Thomas Jefferson: Roman rival in 18th c. DC to resemble
Roman architecture
• Roads: Army built a massive network of roads through
empire (still used in Middle Ages)
The Legacy of Rome
Roman System of Law
• Most lasting contribution
• Law should be fair and apply equally
• Law influenced by Stoic thinking:
– (1) common sense and (2) practical ideas
• Important principals:
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Right to equal treatment under the law
Innocent till proven guilty
Burden of proof is on the accuser
Punishment for actions not thoughts
Unreasonable/unfair laws set aside
The Legacy of Rome
Rome’s Enduring Influence:
R.H. Barrow said “Rome never fell
because it turned into something
even greater, an IDEA, and
achieved immortality”