Eternal Roman Flavor - Essay Example

The ancient Romans earned and invested their past history for the creation of fresh human wealth which had been of seminal value for the evolution of a richer future. Today's Rome is an effective blend of the ancient and the modern, a classic example of how the legacy of history can be preserved, productively lived, remodeled and passed on to the posterity . "History is not a traveler's idle reading tool; rather it is a live model to balance our urge for daily bread and accountability to the future generation" [Livy].

In fact the ancient Roman law that fostered and protected private property was the prototype of the modern free market economy which is the engine of globalization. It is in this context that one may see the study of Roman Civilization as one of the pillars of modern free market global economy. The historical graph of Ancient Rome can be phased into three segments. Phase I, 753 to 509 B.C. was the period of Rome's origin. Phase II spanning across 509 B.C. to 31 B.C. witnessed the growth of the Roman Republic studded with the Punic and Macedonian Wars and the development of their unique and acclaimed models of law and government.

Phase III, 31 B.C. to A.D. 476 was the era of the glorious Roman Empire or the Roman World. Lasting FootprintsThe origin, growth and acme of Ancient Rome has left behind lasting footprints in the culture and civilization of the modern West and far beyond. The earliest contribution to economic liberty in the form of private property dates back to ancient Rome. The Romans inherited the spirit of liberty from the Greeks and used it to evolve the culture of private property which is an unmistakable version of liberty.

Encouragement of private property in the ancient Roman law was the foundation for the modern free market liberal economies and democracy. "Ancient Romans had the sagacity and vision to realize the role of private property in human liberty". [Gibbon] That vision later evolved into the theory that encouragement of private property is the Eternal Roman Flavour 3basis of free markets that generate wealth which is the engine of popular participation in politics. The economic basis of modern liberal democracy and global economy can be traced back to the contribution of ancient Rome to the development and popularization of private property.

Three outstanding and fascinating aspects of Roman Civilization that would inspire any student of history are: Roman Law, Roman Government and most importantly Roman Virtues as briefly sketched below:Roman LawOne of the most outstanding products of the ancient Roman mind was the Roman law. The embryonic form of the Roman Law was the Law of the Twelve Tables from which evolved the first Roman code of law at the time of the Early Republic. In fact that was the basis for the Roman legal system that stood universally relevant in the Western world for more than 1,000 years.

"The underlying principle of the ancient Roman Law was the precept that the exact 'form' rather than the intended meaning of the words or of actions constitute all legal consequences". [Laughlin] Though not acceptable to the modern perspective of justice, the ancient Romans had