1. Rome and the Roots of Western Civilization
Chapter 6 Unit 5
Notes

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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)

6. 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

7. 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)

8. 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:
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

9. 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”