Download Chapter 38 The Legacy of Rome in the Modern World To what

Chapter 38
The Legacy of Rome in the
Modern World
To what extent does
ancient Rome influence us today?
The End of the Empire in the West
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The main reasons why Rome fell:
Political Instability—Transfer of political
power was not peaceful. Emperors were
murdered.
Economic and Social Issues—To finance
Rome’s huge armies, citizens had to pay
heavy taxes. These taxes hurt the economy
and drove many people into poverty. Trade
also suffered.
Weakening Frontiers—The huge size of the
empire made it hard to defend. Germanic
tribes were pressing hard on the western
borders. Soldiers often had little loyalty to
Rome.
The Fall of Rome
Western Europe and the Byzantine Empire,
About 500 C.E.
Roman Art
Roman Architecture
Roman Engineering
Roman Engineering
Roman Language—Latin
Latin Prefixes, Roots, and Roman Numerals
Roman Philosophy and Law
To what extent does
ancient Rome influence us today?
• By 500 C.E., the Roman Empire had split. The eastern empire lasted for over
1,000 years. But the western empire collapsed due to political instability,
economic and social issues, and the weakening of the frontiers.
• Modern artists still follow Roman or Greco-Roman styles in the arts. Murals
and mosaics, much like Roman ones, decorate modern buildings and public
spaces.
• Roman architectural influences are seen in the structures of many modern
buildings. The Romans also were talented engineers, whose construction
methods and standards lasted thousands of years.
To what extent does
ancient Rome influence us today?
• Many words and word parts in modern languages, such as English,
French, and Spanish, came from Latin. Roman numerals appear today
on clocks, in books, and in movie credits.
• Roman ideals, such as Stoicism, the rule of law, and justice, shaped
law and government in many modern nations. Examples include
today’s law courts and documents, such as the U.S. Declaration of
Independence and the U.S. Constitution.