A Discussion of the Roman Empires Contributions to Modern Society - Essay Example

? Ancient Influences: A Discussion of the Roman Empires Contributions to Modern Society Due Introduction High rising, marble temples, white ivory, columns, embossed chariots, armored gladiators, and a pantheon of gods represented by the planetary bodies in the sky; all are images that can be attributed to the great Roman Empire of the ancient world. Ancient Rome is one of the most recognizable historical eras. People, even those with little historical knowledge, are familiar with the images, mythology, and famous figures, like Julius Caesar, that are associated with Rome. However, Rome’s contributions to modern society are many, some of which, we directly benefit from today. The contributions make Rome, essentially, important and worthy of greater, continuing, and future study. Some of the greatest contributions influence our culture, our technology, and the very foundations of the United States of America. History The Roman Empire was began in753 BCE with the founding of a single city-state in Central Italy. The lands and culture of Rome would flourish and spread over 1200 years, as can be seen in the map below, spanning to include the Eastern Roman Empire, also called the Byzantine Empire, which outlived the Western Empire by several generations. As Rome began developing its culture they adopted and readapted the conquered cultures of the early Greeks and Hellenistic Greeks. Much of the pagan religion, philosophy, architecture, mythology, and art were borrowed from these societies. However, had Rome not done this, it is likely, we would have no knowledge today of Ancient Greek history; this part of history would be lost to us all together. It was not until the latter part of the Empire that they abandoned paganism and adopted Christianity. Despite its long success and immense power the Empire began to become unstable. The Western Roman Empire came to an end in, approximately, 476 CE, which marked the dismissal of the last Roman Emperor. The Eastern Roman Empire managed to survive for another 1000 years, but would ultimately fall to the Ottoman Turks in the year 1453 (Damerow 1). Discussion Rome’s influence on modern society is numerous and profound. Experts feel that it is by studying the Roman Empire we can directly get a better understanding of our modern society and its relied upon institutions (Thompson 9). Rome has given us everything from the traditional eating of three meals a day to the 12 month calendar we schedule our lives to and most of the Holidays that we celebrate. There are many more, which are fundamentally significant aspects of a modern society including, engineering and architecture, arts and literature, concepts of law, and government and politics. In order to understand how fundamentally we rely on these concepts, perspectives, and ideals that have been inherited from ancient Rome it is best to address each of the aspects individually in order to grasp their relevance, influence, and present day significance. Architecture and Engineering The Roman Empire possessed some of the greatest and most innovative technologies compared to other historical cultures before them. They introduce paved road systems and indoor baths, and, as can be seen in the images, the development of aqueducts and sewer systems. However, one of the grandest structures, also pictured, is the Coliseum. It remains one of the most impressive historical, architectural endeavors. These ancient structures have had a profound impact on modern society. The invention of early sewage and aqueduct technology is the seed of the systems that are used today (Damerow 1). The technology, the components, and materials may change and innovate, but the principals find their core in ancient Rome. Although, it was the Greeks that introduced the Olympics it was the Romans that introduced the “spectators’ sports.” The idea of gathering crowds, to support or oppose those that are providing entertainment began here. The Romans, however, favored spectator’s sports that pitted human prisoners against animals predators and gladiators who may fight to the death. We as a modern society have readapted the concept into all of the modern team-based sports (Gill). Arts and Literature While Roman culture adopted much of its artistic styles from the Greek, as can be seen in the relief and vase below, they did add an element to the art that makes it uniquely Roman. In sculpture, for example, The Greek’s tended to reflect the idealized image of the human form, the Romans on the other hand, opted for more realistic representations. In literature Rome produced some of the first satirical works in the world, Lucillus, although much of his work has been lost, focused much of his time criticizing the Roman Senate (Damerow 1). The arts and literature of ancient Rome has been influencing artistic and written movements throughout the centuries. William Shakespeare was fascinated with Rome; making it the focus of many of his works. Today, modern novelists and screenwriters still rely on Ancient Roman storytelling as a source for modern works. The Renaissance was so inspired by the artistic pieces of the ancient worked that style became something that many of the most gifted artists were aspiring to, like Michelangelo, to name just one. Roman Law In the year 451 BCE the first laws of Rome were established and written down. The Twelve Tables, seen below, were developed and based upon the traditional values and concepts, responding to and addressing, both criminal and civil concerns (The Regents of the University of California 1-3). Tables 1 and 2 focus on rules regarding witnesses, court summons, and issues related to debt and repayment. Table 7, for example, concerns property rights and issues with neighbors, while Table 9 tackles the issue of treason against the Empire (Halsall 1). Over the course of 1000 years Roman law continued to evolve. Eventually, the earliest Cannon law of the Roman Catholic Church is founded upon Roman law, as well as, influencing the basic legal traditions in Europe. Although modern American laws are not directly based on Roman law, some principles and concepts have been heavily influenced by the core structure of Roman law (Damerow 1). Government and Politics The Romans developed the Republic form of government, applying a “mixed” constitution. It incorporated different positions and terms present in government today, including Senate, tribune, patricians, consul, and imperium. All of these stem from the Roman governmental structure (Damerow 1). They had seen what became of their own nation when it was controlled solely by a monarchy and the errors of aristocracy and democracy they learned from the Greeks. The mixed aspects of the Roman Republic were born of these lessons. They established the idea of 3 branches of government. These branches would be organized and seated together. In the image below one can see the arrangement of the Roman government system. The three branches included. The Consuls, represented the monarchial branch of the government, which allowed these men to serve within the function of a King, but only for a single, one year term. Following service as a Consul the man could retire into a permanent Senate position. The Senate, represents the aristocratic branch of Roman Republic. These Senators act as a council of elders. At its highest number there were 300 lifelong members of the Senate were present at one time. Lastly, is The Assembly, the democratic branch, which consisted of two smaller sub-branches. The Assembly of Centuries, which was composed of military men and annually elected consuls. The Assembly of Tribes, which was made up of average citizens, which had the power to approve and consider issues (Gill). Again, the Roman Republic is not a perfect mirror image of our modern government, but clearly paved the way. The founding fathers of the Untied States of America, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, were heavily influenced by the lessons of the rise and fall of the Roman Empire and all of the contributions their teachings could add to the development of this new, independent nation. It may be inappropriate to say that certain contributions are more important than others, Each of these historical influences have played a role in the society, government, philosophies, and principles that find their origins in Ancient Rome. Without the contributions of all of these elements there is no determining how different the resulting future might have been. The absence or lessening of any of these influences discussed could change the way our society and world operate today. However, if only one could be chosen it would be arts and literature. Without the opinions, emotions, and perceptions of the artists, the people, the creative moods of society as a whole there would be no invention, innovation, organization, ethics, morality, or government. Granted not every legacy of the Roman Empire is necessarily positive. They also gave us concepts, like crucifixion as an appropriate punishment for certain crimes, along with, establishing Christianity through years upon years of Roman conquest and forced conversion to Christianity. These legacies may be perceived by some as positive, but for others not so much. Overall, the influence of the ancient Roman Empire is tangible and ever-present even today’s society. Conclusion In the end, it is undeniable that we are a diverse country, the product of many ancient and modern influences. However ancient Rome was a pinnacle of a successful, powerful, and productive society. A culture that set precedents in engineering, architecture, arts, literature, law, governmental politics, and many other contributions, that can be seen every day in the modern world. If it were not for the insights and inspirations in Roman teachings then we might not be the nation that America is today, in fact, in may never have been established at all. Because we can learn from, both, the positive aspects, as well as, the negative aspects that led to the nations fall. The idea that the United States will face the same fate is unlikely, after all, we can learn from their mistakes. Work Cited Damerow, Harold. "Western Civilization: Roman." Romans. (2009): 1. Web. 27 Oct. 2013. . Gill, N.S.. "3 Branches of Government in the Roman Republic." Ancient/Classical History. About History, n.d. Web. 27 Oct 2013. . Gill, N.S.. "Roman Architecture and Monuments." Ancient/Classical History. About, n.d. Web. 27 Oct 2013. . Halsall, Paul. "Ancient History Sourcebook: The Twelve Tables, c. 450 BCE." Fordham University. (1998): 1. Web. 27 Oct. 2013. . Thompson, Nancy L. Roman Art: A Resource for Educators. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1-218. eBook. . Images of Ancient Rome, . "Images of Ancient Rome." Google. Google, n.d. Web. 27 Oct 2013. . The Regents of the University of California, . "Roman Legal Tradition and the Compilation of Justinian ." Robbin's Collection: Roman Legal Tradition and the Compilation of Justinian . 1-7. Web. 27 Oct. 2013. . Read More