Transcript Greco-Roman Civilization

Greek art, literature, philosophy, and scientific genius
represented the height of cultural achievement
The Blending of Greek, Hellenistic, and Roman
traditions produced what is now known as GrecoRoman Civilization
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Adapted realism of Hellenistic work
Portray their subjects with every wart and vein
in place
Statues of soldiers, writers, or emperors might
capture expressions of smugness, discontuent
or pride
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Huge palaces, temples, stadiums, and victory
arches
Pantheon – temple to all Roman Gods
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Roman roads built so well, many still in use
long after Rome fell
Built aqueducts, bridge-like stone structures to
bring water from hills to cities
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Ptolemy (astronomer-mathematician) proposes
theory that the Earth was the center of the
universe- accepted in western world for nearly
1,500 years
Dr. Galen- advances medical science by
experimenting to prove a conclusion- complies
a medical encyclopedia
Pliny the Elder complies volumes on
geography, zoology, botany, etc…
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Virgil – writes the Aeneid – tries to make
Rome’s past as heroic as the Greeks – links his
work to Homer’s
Horace and Juvenal use verse to satirize, or
make fun of, Roman society
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Livy expressed patriotic feelings and restored
Roman virtues by recalling images of Rome’s
heroic past
Tactius wrote badly about Augustus and his
successors because they destroyed Roman
liberty
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Civil law applied to all citizens – when Rome
expanded, they ruled many foreigners who
were not covered by civil law
Law of nations applied to all people under
Roman rule – eventually both systems merge
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People with same status are equal before the
law
An accused is presumed innocent until proven
guilty
The accused should be allowed to face their
accuser and defend against the charge
Guilty must be established “clearer than
daylight” through evidence
Decisions should be based on fairness,
allowing judges to interpret the law