1. The Legacy of the Roman Empire

2. Reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire in the west.
Political Instability
Economic and Social Problems
Weakening Frontiers

3. Political Instability
Lack of peaceful method for transferal of power
Generals fighting for control

4. Economic Problems 1. huge armies - heavy taxes - poverty
2.    slaves - unemployment - poor flood to cities
3.    trade declined

5. Social Problems 1. corruption and government waste
2.    decline in the spirit of citizenship
3.    crime made roads unsafe

6. Weakening Frontiers 1. empire’s huge size made it hard to defend
2.    barbarians move inside empire

7. Rome is Divided
1.    Constantine sets up new capital in the east at Byzantium (Constantinople). Byzantine Empire last another 1000 years.
2.    barbarians invade in the west and set up separate kingdoms; last emperor driven from throne 476 C.E.

8. Rome Leaves a Lasting Legacy in
Art
Architecture
Engineering
Language
Writing
Philosophy
Law
Citizenship

9. Art
Important Art Forms: realistic statues, mosaics, frescoes, decorative bottles, gem cutting, metal work and cameos
Art Forms that Influence modern life: murals, lifelike statues, cut gems, and cameos

10. Architecture and Engineering
Important Architectural and Engineering Achievements: arch, vault, dome, concrete, stadium, triumphal arch, roads, bridges, and aqueducts.
Architecture and Engineering that Influence Modern Life: designs of churches, banks, government buildings (including our Capitol dome), stadiums. Some modern roads are built over Roman roads and some aqueducts are used today.
                                       

11. Language and Writing
Roman alphabet has 23 letters; English 26 letters (J, U, W)
The numbers 1, 10, 100, and 1000 were written as I, X, C, and M.
Roman language that influences modern life: proverbs, Latin root words and prefixes.

12. Latin Roots Used in English Words
Anima
Meaning
Life, breath, soul
English Word(s)
Animal, animated
Civis
Citizen, community
Civic, civilian
Lex, legalis
Law, legal
legislature
Manus
Hand
manual
Militare
To serve as a soldier
Military, militia
Portare
To carry
Portable, portion
Unus
One
United, union
Urbs
City
Suburb, urban
Verbum
word
Verbal, verbatim

13. Latin Prefixes Used in English Words
Meaning
English Word(s)
In, im, il
Not
Inactive, impossible, illogical
Inter
Among, between
international
Com, co
Together, with
Communicate, cooperate
Pre
Before
Precede, previous
Post
After, behind
postpone Re
Back, again
Remember
Semi
Half
semicircle
Sub
Under. Less than, inferior to
Submarine, substandard
Trans
Across, through
transportation

14. Philosophy, Law, and Citizenship
Important Roman ideas:
1. Live in a way that agrees with nature
2. The only true good thing in life is to have good character
3. Everyone has natural rights
Ways Roman philosophy, law, and citizenship have affected modern life:
1. Some legal codes are based on Roman laws
2. Many people today believe in natural rights as stated in the Declaration of Independence
3. In the U.S., all citizens have the same rights