Topic Question: What has been the legacy of the Roman civilization in terms of language, culture, and governance?
Source Entry 1: “The Roman Empire: Economy, Society and Culture” By Peter Garnsey, Richard Saller
The most significant linguistic legacy of the Romans is the Latin language. Latin served as the official language of the Roman Empire and continued to be used in various forms for centuries. It evolved into the Romance languages such as Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese. Much of the literature of the world has been greatly influenced by the literature of the ancient Romans. Latin root words are also the foundation for many English words. The English alphabet is based on the Latin alphabet. Roman literature, written primarily in Latin, has been a foundational influence on Western literature. Latin has been the language of the Roman Catholic Church for centuries. Ecclesiastical Latin, a distinct form of the language, is used in religious rituals, documents, and teachings. It continues to be a significant part of the Church’s linguistic heritage.After the decentralization of political power in late antiquity, Latin developed locally in the Western provinces into branches that became the Romance languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, Catalan, Occitan and Romanian. In summary, the Roman civilization’s legacy in terms of language is extensive and multifaceted. Latin’s impact on the development of Romance languages, its contributions to academic and scientific terminology, and its enduring presence in various aspects of culture and education all attest to the lasting influence of the Roman linguistic heritage. Latin is still taught in many educational institutions around the world. While it is no longer a spoken language, it is studied for its historical and linguistic importance.Â
Key information:
- “Golden Age of Roman Poetry,” poets such as Virgil, Horace, and Ovid produced works that have had an everlasting impact”.
- “Ancient Romans spoke Latin, which spread throughout the world with the increase of Roman political power. Latin became the basis for a group of languages referred to as the “Romance languages”.
Source Entry 2: “Traces of Ancient Rome in the Modern World” author National Geographic Society, October 19, 2023
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/traces-ancient-rome-modern-world/
Rome had the most influence on the modern world. For thousands of years the Roman Empire flourished, we can still see evidence of it in art, architecture, technology, literature, language, and law. Rome had a big impact on art and architecture, Roman influence in forms and structures throughout the development of Western culture. Rome was heavily influenced by ancient Greece, they were able to make improvements to certain borrowed Greek designs and inventions. They used columns that became more decorative and less structural in Roman buildings. Ancient Romans created curved roofs and large-scale arches, which were able to support more weight than the post-and-beam construction the Greeks used. The arches served as the foundation for the massive bridges and aqueducts the Romans created. The arches of the Colosseum are made out of cement, a remarkably strong building material the Romans made with what they had at hand: volcanic ash and volcanic rock. Scientists believe that the use of this ash is the reason that structures like the Colosseum still stand today.Roman underwater structures proved to be even sturdier. Seawater reacting with the volcanic ash created crystals to make the concrete more durable. Today, scientists study Roman concrete, hoping to match the success of the ancient master builders. Roman architectural styles and engineering techniques have had a lasting impact. Elements like arches, columns, and domes are still prominent in contemporary architecture. The Colosseum, Pantheon, and aqueducts are just a few examples of iconic Roman architectural achievements. Roman art, influenced by Greek traditions, produced statues, mosaics, and frescoes. These artistic expressions continue to inspire artists and architects worldwide.
Key Information:
- “Sculptural art of the period has proven to be fairly durable, too. Romans made their statues out of marble, fashioning monuments to great human achievements and achievers”.
- “The game-loving ancients also built large amphitheaters, including the Colosseum. The sports stadiums we see today, with their oval shapes and tiered seating, derive from the basic idea the Romans developed”.
