The Enduring Legacy of Roman Influence Today

1. The Legacy of Rome All Images: Public Domain

2. The Romans borrowed many aspects of Greek culture and blended into their own. We can see Rome’s influence today in our art, architecture and engineering, language and writing, philosophy, law, and ideas about citizenship. The Impact of Roman Culture “Rome to Home” All Images: Public Domain

3. Roman sculptors were good at making lifelike busts and statues. A mosaic is a picture made out of many small colored tiles or pieces of glass in which the wealthy Romans used as a floor or wall art. Roman Art Bust of Antinous, c. 130 AD All Images: Public Domain

4. Romans learned how to build structures with different styles: Dome Vault Arch Roman Architecture and Engineering Arch of Constantine Rome All Public: Domain Public

5. Romans used arches to build the aqueduct, a designed to bring fresh water into cities. Romans also created large public buildings, like the Colosseum for outdoor entertainment. Roads were built to improve communications and travel. All Images: Public Domain

6. When the Romans conquered most of Europe, Latin became the basis for several European languages Spanish Italian French Portuguese Romanian More than half of the English words have a basis in Latin Roman Language and Writing Latin inscription in the Colosseum Latin Roots Used in English Words Image: Public Domain

7. Many English words start with Latin prefixes. Romans used a system of letters to write numbers. I 1 V 5 X 10 L 50 C 100 D 1000 Latin Prefixes Used in English Words All Images: Public Domain

8. Romans borrowed Greek philosophy, Stoicism, and made it their own. Stoicism created a strong sense of citizenship that stressed the importance of virtue, duty, fairness, and common sense. Roman Philosophy, Law, and Citizenship Zeno of Citium “One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself.” All Images: Public Domain

9. Romans believed in natural law, every person had rights, where judges tried to make fair decisions. Although Romans didn’t live up to their ideals, the ideas of law and justice live on (Declaration of Independence and natural law around the world) Working on the Declaration Lady of Justice All Images: Public Domain

10. To be a “Roman” was to be a citizen of the city-state of Rome. Citizenship extended to all free people over time. All citizens were subject to Roman law, enjoyed the same rights, and be loyal to the emperor. All Images: Public Domain

11. “Rome to Home” Activity • Create a collage of Roman’s influence in today’s world. Have each student bring in a magazine to identify specific examples of Roman culture that influence modern life. • Students must identify examples of Roman’s culture in modern life in: • Roman Art • Roman Architecture and Engineering • Roman Language and Writing • Roman Philosophy, Law, and Citizenship