The Ancient Romans had a significant influence in the countries within their empire. Latin, the language spoken by the Ancient Romans, became the basis for many other European languages. Governments and legal systems in the Western world were founded on Roman law (Online, n.d.). The Ancient Romans were the first to build bridges, concrete roads and a sewage system.
Here is the forerunner to many political districts our governments use today. A little further on, this assembly was given binding power over the entire state - a momentous step. Moving forward, all major priesthoods and offices, even consul, despite determined resistance, were opened up to plebeians. Additionally, the enslavement for debts was abolished “establishing the principle that the liberty of a Roman citizen was an inalienable right” (148). Finally, the story of decemviri, with more classical Roman elements, concludes the gains of the
After a long period of its existence, the huge Roman Empire eventually reached its end as “the North African bishop Saint Augustine (354-430) wrote the City of God in response – all empires fall, Rome is no different.”(Class 7 slide) The fall of such a huge empire then raises an important question that what were the main reasons for collapsing of the Roman Empire. Many historians argued that barbarians led to the decline and eventually fall of the Roman Empire. The Romans used the term “barbarians” for all foreigners especially, for the tribes who attacked and intruded their borders. But in fact the word “barbarian” did not have a negative meaning for all people in the Roman Empire. Around A.D. 440, as the Christian priest Salvian indicated, “Almost all barbarians, at least those who are from the same kin and race, love each other, while the Romans persecute each other.” It is certain that barbarians played an important role in terms of declining and falling of the great Roman Empire, but the question which has been argued by various historians throughout the history is that to what extent they were responsible for such a significant historical event.
The benefits of the Roman lifestyle were brought to their new territories. This is evident in distinctly roman architectural structures, such as aqueducts, that still stand today within what were once the boundaries of the vast empire. One of the best examples of Roman innovation is a well preserved aqueduct and mill still standing in Arles, southern France. The ambitious flour mill, built in the fourth century AD, proves the existence of Roman water-powered factories, which are still marvelled by prominent historians today. Roads, aqueducts, currency, and a universal language (latin) were largely implemented and expected.
It preserved the history of the Roman Empire from the 5th century until 1453 AD when the Turks conquered it. The empire managed to spread Christianity in most of the European countries, Africa, and Asia through sending missionaries (Roger 44). In addition, it served as the cultural heritage center. This is because it was located in former Greek and Roman territories. Most artefacts were still available at Constantinople that acted as its capital city.
An Empire is defined as the relationship of political control imposed by some political societies over the effective sovereignty of other political societies . Empires are political systems based on the actual or threatened use of force to extract surpluses from their subjects . The Roman Empire lasted for over 1000 years until its demise in 476AD. The Roman Empire at its peak of perfection extended from Mesopotamia in the East to the Iberian Peninsula in the West, stretching from the Danube in the North to Egypt . The Roman Empire had many unique characteristics for the time period, such as their organisations not just of political powers but of their cities and military.
Early Rome was ruled by kings in tandem with the Senate until 509 BC. Above all else, politics was the stronghold of the Roman empire and fueled just about every aspect of rule; finance, military, religion or the lack there of, power,
There are not many people who have changed the course of history for their country and brought a new hope and dynasty to them in short years of rule. Julius Caesar helped form the First Triumvirate and worked his way up to dictatorship. He brought greatness to the civilization of Rome and gave the people a leader that they would go on to love and be remembered forever. He was a great leader of the Roman Republic who innovated to the Roman Empire by greatly capturing other lands and spreading the culture there establishing its imperial system. Julius Caesar was born to Gaius Caesar and Aurelia Cotta on July 12, 100 BC in Rome.
Roman monuments stand to this day as a testament to the greatness of Roman society. Some of the most distinctive monuments are the roads and aqueducts. These structures are impressive in their design and functionality, some of which can still be used today. These monuments also stand as a testament to those who were building them. The surveyors of Rome played an essential role in the construction of the roads and the aqueducts, and developed many of the fundamental principles of surveying and construction.
While each of these structures had a definite purpose such as disposing of waste, carrying water, hosting sporting and entertainment events, the only exception was that of triumphal arches that, according to Cartwright (2012), were built to commemorate “military triumphs and other significant events such as the accession of a new emperor”. Since there was no practical use of these arches apart from replacing the gates of a city, they usually were decorated with inscriptions. Two prominent arches of this type are the Arch of Constantine and Septimus Severus are still standing. That said, arches were everywhere and throughout the Roman Empire given their function. What was very clear was how advantageous this architectural structure proved to be since it kept the Roman Empire structurally intact for centuries - an aspect that was not necessarily an advantage that their adversaries had at their disposal.