ROMAN CONTRIBUTIONS Mr. Mispagel’s Top Ten Roman Contributions Drum roll please……………

10. ROADS The Roman roads were essential for the growth of the Roman empire, by enabling the Romans to move armies. A proverb says that "all roads lead to Rome." At its peak, the Roman road system spanned 52,819 miles.

9. LAW The concept in a trial by jury was created by the Romans The Romans realized the importance of the “innocent until proven guilty” method of justice. Latin can be seen in the treaties of International Law today. The idea of Civil and Criminal Law comes from the Roman era.

8. ARCHITECTURE Innovation started in the first century BC, with the invention of concrete, a strong and readily available substitute for stone. Tile-covered concrete quickly supplanted marble as the primary building material and more daring buildings soon followed, with great pillars supporting broad arches and domes rather than dense lines of columns suspending flat architraves. COLUMNS VAULTS ARCHES

7. PLUMBING The Romans created sewers and bath houses that greatly led to more sanitary Conditions and improved the health of its citizens. Plumbing Defined: While early pipe and conduit was made from wood or earthenware, later refinement to lead made skilled workers in lead indispensable. The Latin term "plumbus" means "lead," as was also the weight at the end of a line for perpendicular alignment. The plumber was a worker in lead who, in today's connotation, repairs or fits the apparatus of water distribution in and to a building. The Roman Bath House in the city of Bath, England

6. ALPHABET / LANGUAGE The Roman alphabet and Latin language is the basis for most European languages. Latin is used today for scientific and medical Terminology. Spanish, French, Portuguese, Romanian, and Italian are all based on Latin. English and the other European (Germanic) languages have many Latin root words. A B C D E F G … Videre = to see … video Millia = measure of 1,000 … millennium, millimeter Ped = foot …pedestrian, pediatric Liber = book … library

5. BRIDGES The Romans built bridges that could span long rivers. Many of these bridges are still standing today. ALCANTARA BRIDGE, SPAIN

4. AQUEDUCTS To carry water from the high ground to a village or town the Romans were masters of building aqueducts that would transport much needed water.

3. CONCRETE By the development of concrete, the Romans were able to change the way cities were built and create a building material that was strong enough to house millions of people and built large arenas for entertainment.

2. CALENDARS The Romans first created a calendar To record and keep track of time. If Not for the Romans we wouldn’t be Able to have recorded history Kalends were the 1st day of the month. Nones were the 7th day of the month In March, May, July, and October and the 5th day in the other months. Ides was the 15th day in March, May, July, and October and the 13 th day in other Months. The use of sundials To tell time were Invented by the Romans along with The idea of AM and PM

1.Fast Food (believe it or not) Professor Stephen Dyson of the University of Buffalo says that "We've also found numerous fast food restaurants in Pompeii and other parts of ancient Rome, " calling these places a cross between "...Burger King and a British pub or a Spanish tapas bar. …Most Romans lived in apartments or rather confined spaces, and there is not much evidence for stoves and other cooking equipment in them," he says, adding that "Italy's vibrant street and bar scenes today, along with the often multipurpose design of homes with bedsteads stacked in a corner, or kitchenettes in surprising places, reflect the wonderful, slightly chaotic, aspects of early Roman life.”