Rome and the Roots of Western Civilization

Rome Rome borrowed and adapted cultural elements from the Greeks and Hellenistic culture, but they created their own great civilization that became the legacy of the world.

The Legacy of Greco-Roman Civilization Under the Roman empire hundreds of territories were knitted into a single state governed in the same manner. The Romans were proud of their ability to rule but acknowledged Greek leadership in the fields of art, architectures, literature, and philosophy. By second century B.C., Rome had conquered Greece and educated Romans learned the Greek language.

The Legacy of Greco-Roman Civilization The mixing of elements of Greek, Hellenistic, and Roman culture produced a new culture called, Greco-Roman Culture. (aka classical civilization) Roman artist and philosophers did not simply copy the Greek and Hellenistic models, but adapted them to their own purpose and use. Roman literature and art came to convey the Roman ideals of strength, permanence and solidity.

Cultural Elements-Sculpture Romans learned the art of sculpture from the Greeks. Roman Sculpture Greek Sculpture

Cultural Elements- Sculpture Greek Contributions Roman Contributions Greeks provided a model for fine art of sculpture. Greeks were know for the beauty and idealization of their sculptures. (realism) Created realistic portraits in stone. Most of Roman art was used for a education to tell stories and represent crowds of people, soldiers in battle, and landscapes. Realism. However, the Roman sculptors also captured their models facial expressions showing an individuals character and feelings.

Cultural Elements- Sculpture Romans developed a new sculpture technique called bas-relief (images projected on a flat background),painted frescos, and mosaics ( pictures or designs made of small pieces of glass, stone, or tile).

Greek Fresco Roman Fresco

Greek Mosaic Roman Mosaic mosaics- the use of chipped stone and glass to form a picture.

Pompeii The best examples of Roman painting was in the town of Pompeii. It was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius which covered the town in ash and killed 2,000 people but preserved many buildings and works of art.

Cultural Elements-Philosophy Greek Contribution Roman Contribution Philosophers founded schools of philosophy, such as Stoicism, which encouraged virtue, duty, moderation, and endurance Applied the teachings of Greek philosophers to administration of their empire 1) Stoics nature is the expansion of divine will. concept of natural law. get involved in politics, not for personal gain, but to perform virtuous acts for the good of all. true happiness is found in great achievements.

Cultural Elements-Literature Greek Contribution Roman Contribution Provided forms and models for literary works, such as epics by Homer. Homer wrote Odyssey Wrote epics as well as light, witty, poetry and prose, especially history. Used themes about everyday life in Rome. Virgil- Wrote the Aeneid.

Roman Achievements-Language Romans introduced and spread Latin, which remained the language of learning and the Roman Catholic church long after the Roman empire fell.

Roman Achievements-Architecture Romans introduced the arch, dome, and use of concrete. The Romans built the Colosseum and other massive structures.

Roman Colosseum-Roman Dome

Roman Achievements-Engineering Romans built bridges, aqueducts, and an extensive network of roads. Arches supported bridges Aqueducts were used to bring water into towns and cities. (see page 181)

Greek Science Roman Aristarchus  heliocentric theory. Euclid  geometry. Archimedes  pulley. Ptolemy  geocentric theory. Galen- used experiments to further medical research. Developed an encyclopedia that was used for over a 1,000yrs later. -Applied geographic features to maps Pliny the elder- compiled encyclopedia volumes on such topic as zoology, geography, and botany. Volumes were based on other peoples work.

Rome’s lasting legacy Rome’s most widespread contribution was not only cultural but their system of law. The Romans created the systems of criminal and civil laws. Civil laws-laws which dealt primarily with the individual rights of citizens. Criminal law- Crimes against the rights of people or breaking the laws of government.

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