1. Chapter 38 The Legacy of Rome in the Modern World

2. To what extent does ancient Rome influence us today?

3. The End of the Empire in the West
The main reasons why Rome fell:
Political Instability—Transfer of political power was not peaceful. Emperors were murdered.
Economic and Social Issues—To finance Rome’s huge armies, citizens had to pay heavy taxes. These taxes hurt the economy and drove many people into poverty. Trade also suffered.
Weakening Frontiers—The huge size of the empire made it hard to defend. Germanic tribes were pressing hard on the western borders. Soldiers often had little loyalty to Rome.

4. The Fall of Rome

5. Western Europe and the Byzantine Empire, About 500 C.E.

6. Roman Art

7. Roman Architecture

8. Roman Engineering

9. Roman Engineering

10. Roman Language—Latin

11. Latin Prefixes, Roots, and Roman Numerals

12. Roman Philosophy and Law

13. To what extent does ancient Rome influence us today?
By 500 C.E., the Roman Empire had split. The eastern empire lasted for over 1,000 years. But the western empire collapsed due to political instability, economic and social issues, and the weakening of the frontiers.
Modern artists still follow Roman or Greco-Roman styles in the arts. Murals and mosaics, much like Roman ones, decorate modern buildings and public spaces.
Roman architectural influences are seen in the structures of many modern buildings. The Romans also were talented engineers, whose construction methods and standards lasted thousands of years.

14. To what extent does ancient Rome influence us today?
Many words and word parts in modern languages, such as English, French, and Spanish, came from Latin. Roman numerals appear today on clocks, in books, and in movie credits.
Roman ideals, such as Stoicism, the rule of law, and justice, shaped law and government in many modern nations. Examples include today’s law courts and documents, such as the U.S. Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.