The Legacy of the Roman Empire

Reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire in the west.

•Political Instability

•Economic and Social Problems

•Weakening Frontiers

Political Instability

Lack of peaceful method for transferal of power

Generals fighting for control

Economic Problems

1.    huge armies - heavy taxes - poverty

2.    slaves - unemployment - poor flood to cities

3.    trade declined

Social Problems

• 1.    corruption and government waste

• 2.    decline in the spirit of citizenship

• 3.    crime made roads unsafe

Weakening Frontiers

• 1.    empire’s huge size made it hard to defend

• 2.    barbarians move inside empire

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.

Rome Leaves a Lasting Legacy in

• Art• Architecture• Engineering• Language• Writing• Philosophy• Law• Citizenship

Art

1. Important Art Forms: realistic statues, mosaics, frescoes, decorative bottles, gem cutting, metal work and cameos

2. Art Forms that Influence modern life: murals, lifelike statues, cut gems, and cameos

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.

                                    

   

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.

Latin Roots Used in English WordsLatin Root

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

Latin Prefixes Used in English Words

Latin Prefix 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

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