Legacy of the Ancient Greek/Roman World

Language Latin- Base language for most European languages. French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian completely influenced English and German partly influence (roughly 80%)

Religion Christianity was able to spread throughout the Empire (Roads and Relative Peace) Roman Empire adopted Christianity #1 Religion of the world today

Government Modern Democratic Republics Separation of Powers Court system and procedures

Conquerors/Leaders 1 of 2 Always comparing themselves to Greek/Roman leaders - Julius Caesar to Alexander the Great - Charlemagne to Augustus - Napoleon to Augustus Augustus title transferred - Phillip II Augustus

Conquerors/Leaders 2 of 2 Caesar Title transferred - Kaiser, Czar (Russia and U.S. government) - Even Mehmed II the Muslim conqueror took the title Caesar Title of the Roman Empire transferred - Holy Roman Empire (Germany) - Romania - Sultanate of Rum (Rome)- was a Turkish Islamic Empire

Science and Math (a few examples) Mathematics- Euclid, Archimedes Astronomy and Physics- Eratosthenes Biology and Characterizations- Aristotle

Architecture Columns, Domes, Arches still in heavy use today Coliseum to Modern Stadiums Roman concrete Governmental buildings still fashions in Greek/Roman style - Capitol building in Madison - Capitol in Washington D.C. - Various other governmental buildings

Philosophy Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, and Cicero, are the base of modern western philosophy.

Literature and Film Greek and Roman Epics turned into Hollywood blockbusters Greek and Roman development of Drama, Comedy, Tragedy, Satire are the main sources of today’s books, plays, and films.

Grand Comparisons Was the British Empire as great as the Roman Empire? Is the U.S. as great as the Roman Empire? Are the same reasons the Roman Empire fell occurring right now in the U.S.? Is the U.S. a shiny revolutionary light of democracy and freedom like Athens?