1. Roman Achievements

2. Greco-Roman Civilization
Romans borrowed ideas from the Greeks.
Romans believed that Greek art, literature, philosophy, and scientific genius were above others.
Blending of Greek, Hellenistic (Greek, Persian, Egyptian, Indian), and Roman culture = Greco-Roman Civilization

3. Latin Language The spoken and written language of Rome.
Many forms of literature—poetry, histories, fictional stories, and dramas—were written in Latin.
Could be understood throughout the Empire
Latin became the language of the Roman Catholic church.
Latin greatly influenced the vocabulary of many languages. The English word “justice,” for instance, comes from the Latin word “jus” meaning law.
This same Latin root is also found in the French word “justice,” the Italian word “giustizia,” and the Spanish word, “justicia.”

4. Roman Religion
Romans were initially polytheistic and required that conquered people show respect for their gods.
During the Pax Romana, Christianity began and spread along the roads and trade routes throughout the Roman Empire.
Early Christians were persecuted for their beliefs – some became martyrs who sacrificed themselves for their beliefs.

5. Spread of Christianity
In early Roman times, Christianity, a new religion, was one of many religions.
Christians were persecuted (legally punished) because they refused to worship the Roman gods and emperor.
The attempts by Roman authorities to eliminate Christianity backfired.
People in the Roman Empire were so impressed by the faith of the martyrs that they converted to Christianity in large numbers.
By A.D. 395, Christianity was declared the official religion of the Roman Empire and rapidly spread across the Roman world.

6. Roman Sculpture Created realistic portraits in stone.
Bas-relief : images project from a flat background
Used to tell stories
Represent people, soldiers, landscape

7. Roman Mosaics
Mosaics were pictures or designs made by setting small pieces of stone, glass, or tile onto surface.

8. Roman Fresco
Most wealthy Romans had large, bright murals, called frescoes, painted directly on their walls.
Roman villa – home of wealthy Romans

9. Roman Engineering
Romans excelled in the practical arts of building and perfecting their engineering skills

10. Roman Architecture
Romans emphasized grandeur to show power and dignity.

11. Development of the Dome
Romans learned how to use columns and arches from both the Etruscans and the Greeks.
The Romans improved on design of arches by inventing the dome, a roof formed by rounded arches.
Once Romans learned to use concrete, they were able to mold the domes on the ground. After the walls and columns of a building were constructed, the dome was hoisted into position on the top of a building.

12. Pantheon
A temple to all the Roman Gods

13. Development of Aqueducts
The need for a water supply in cities led Romans to build aqueducts.
Aqueducts, canal-like concrete structures, brought water from springs, wells, and distant lakes to people in cities.
In order to supply drinking water to the Roman people, aqueducts tunneled through mountains and crossed valleys.

14. Roman Aqueducts
Bridge like structures carried water from mountains into cities.

15. Colosseum One of the greatest feats of Roman engineering
Colossus – gigantic
Home of gladiator fights and animal hunts

16. Circus Maximus

17. Roman Roads Constructed throughout the Roman Empire, over 52,000 miles
Were effective in helping to move the army from place to place, and trade within the empire.
Example of how people adapt to their environment.

18. Via Appia
All roads lead to Rome!

19. Roman Law Most lasting and widespread contribution
Laws were fair and applied equally to all people.
All persons had the right to equal treatment under the law.
Innocent until proven guilty
The burden of proof lies with the accuser, not the accused.
A person should be punished for actions, not for thoughts.
Guilt must be established “clearer than daylight” through evidence.
These laws became the basis for legal systems in Europe and Latin America

20. Republican Form of Government
Rome’s form of government influenced other societies.
In 509 B.C., Rome set up a republic-a government in which citizens vote to choose their leaders.
By about 275 B.C., no single class of people dominated the government.
Rather, the government was partly a monarchy (ruled by a king), partly an aristocracy (ruled by nobles, as was the Roman senate), and partly a democracy
The Constitution of the United States is based on the Roman Republic’s system of balancing the legislative, judicial, and executive powers of government.

21. Literature and History
The Roman Empire was unified through language.
Latin was adopted by many different people and became the basis for other languages, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, and English.

22. Roman Science A. Simplification of Greek knowledge
B. Pliny the Elder (23 – 79)
Natural History
Facts, no theory
No skepticism about claims

23. Roman Medicine Had a love-hate relationship with all things Greek
The Romans saw the Greeks as being dreamers whilst they were do-ers
But they accepted that the Greeks had the best doctors in the world and transported many of them to Rome

24. Claudius Galen Born in Turkey – studied at Alexandria
Most influential figure in medicine for the next 1000 years
Wrote many books that were used all throughout the Middle Ages
Revived the ideas of Hippocrates –Developed an interest in anatomy – but got lots of details wrong as he only officially dissected pigs

25. Roman Public Health
First to realise the connection between dirty water and poor health
Had Aqueducts and sewers
Realised that you had to build towns and settlements away from swamps and near rivers
Army had clean hospitals with good ventilation

26. Roman Public Health Most Roman towns had public baths
These served both public health and social purposes
They also had public lavatories
These public health ideas benefited the people who lived in the empire as well as Rome

27. Greek and Roman
Art and Architecture
are all around us

28. Jefferson Memorial

29. Lincoln Memorial

30. The US Capitol Building

31. Statue of Justice US Supreme Court Building

32. Federal Court Building in NYC

33. Metropolitan Museum of Art

34. Statue of Liberty