Rome and the Roots of Western Civilization Chapter 6 Unit 5 Notes
The Legacy of Greco-Roman Civilization 2nd c. BC Rome conquered Greece Immediately admired Mixing Greek, Hellenistic, Roman = Greco Roman culture (classical civ.) Didn’t copy but adapted to create own style
The Legacy of Greco-Roman Civilization Roman Fine Art Learned sculpture from the Greeks Greece = beauty and idealization Rome = realistic and practical Used for educational purposes Developed new sculpture method = bas relief Images project from a flat background Mosaics = pictures/designs using small pieces of materials and arranging them on a surface Excelled in art, frescoes = painted on wet plaster Many have been found in Pompeii (AD 79 Mt. Vesuvius erupted covering town in ash, killed 2,000 but perserved art and buildings
The Legacy of Greco-Roman Civilization Learning and Literature Romans borrowed from Greek philosophy (Stoicism and Zeno) Encouraged virtue, duty, moderation, and endurance Virgil Epic poem writer
The Legacy of Rome Still see presence of Rome in language, institutions, and thoughts Latin Languages Language of the Romans, remained after fall of Rome Official language of the Catholic church until 20th c. Developed Romance languages: French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and Romanian
The Legacy of Rome Master Builders Colosseum from colossus “gigantic”: Religious festivities held, as well as gladiator games AD 72-81, can hold up to 50,000, made of stone and concrete, stands 157 ft high and 620 feet long, arena is 287 ft long and 180 ft wide Aqueducts: designed to bring water into cities and towns Thomas Jefferson: Roman rival in 18th c. DC to resemble Roman architecture Roads: Army built a massive network of roads through empire (still used in Middle Ages)
The Legacy of Rome Roman System of Law Most lasting contribution Law should be fair and apply equally Law influenced by Stoic thinking: (1) common sense and (2) practical ideas Important principals: Right to equal treatment under the law Innocent till proven guilty Burden of proof is on the accuser Punishment for actions not thoughts Unreasonable/unfair laws set aside
The Legacy of Rome Rome’s Enduring Influence: R.H. Barrow said “Rome never fell because it turned into something even greater, an IDEA, and achieved immortality”
Mosaic Art
Roman Art
Colossum