Download 1. Political Instability: The transfer of power from one emperor to the

G U I D E
T O
R E A D I N G
N O T E S
Section 2
1. Political Instability: The transfer of power from
one emperor to the next was often unpredictable. Often the army chose the next emperor.
Economic Problems: Citizens, who paid high
taxes to finance Rome’s army, were often poor.
Trade suffered and unemployment was a problem.
Social Problems: Corruption and crime were
common. The spirit of citizenship around the
empire declined.
Weakening Frontiers: The empire was so
large, it was hard to defend. Communication
throughout the empire was slow. Soldiers
recruited from conquered tribes were sometimes disloyal.
2. First, in 330 C.E., Constantine decided to .
. . move his capital east to Byzantium. He
renamed the city New Rome. (Later named
Constantinople.)
Then, power in the empire was . . . divided
between two emperors, one in Rome and one
in Constantinople.
In 410 C.E., . . . an invading Germanic tribe
attacked Rome and looted it.
In 476 C.E., . . . the last Roman emperor was
driven out and the western half of the empire
began to break apart.
Finally, in the east… the Byzantine Empire
continued for another 1,000 years.
Section 3
1. I think Modern Image D connects to Placard
B because (Answers will vary but may include)
both images are of elaborate paintings; both
images show scenes painted on walls.
I think Modern Image F connects to Placard
D because (Answers will vary but may include)
both images show a statue; both show a national leader.
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
2. Romans created realistic statues and colorful
mosaics. They also painted frescoes that might
show three-dimensional landscapes. Romans
made decorative glass bottles, developed the
arts of gem cutting and metalwork, and created
cameos.
3. Some examples of Roman-influenced art forms
today are murals in restaurants, banks, and
other buildings; lifelike statues; cut gems; and
cameos.
Section 4
1. I think Modern Image G connects to Placard
C because (Answers will vary but may include)
both images focus on roads.
I think Modern Image B connects to Placard
H because (Answers will vary but may include)
both building have pillars; the buildings look
very much alike.
2. arches, such as those used in the Roman
Colosseum; vaults, arches used to support a
ceiling; domes, roofs shaped like a half-globe,
such as that found on the Pantheon
3. Roman-influenced architecture includes the
Capitol in Washington, D.C., which has a dome
and arches. The Arc de Triomphe in Paris is one
huge triumphal arch.
4. aqueducts, which carried water from as far as
60 miles away; a system of 50,000 miles of roads
that connected the Roman Empire
Section 5
1. I think Modern Image E connects to Placard
A because (Answers will vary but may include)
both images show Roman numerals.
I think Modern Image A connects to Placard
F because (Answers will vary but may include)
both images focus on October; the modern calendar and the Roman calendar are similar.
The Legacy of the Roman Empire 1
G U I D E
T O
R E A D I N G
N O T E S
2. Many modern European languages have developed from Latin, including Spanish, French,
and Italian. English also borrows heavily from
Latin. Many modern English words start with
Latin prefixes or come from Latin roots. Even
Latin proverbs are used in the United States.
3. The ideas of Roman law and justice live on
in documents such as the Constitution and
Declaration of Independence, as well as in
modern-day courtrooms. People around the
world share the Roman belief that humans
have basic and natural rights.
3. The numbers 1, 10, 100, and 1,000 were written
as I, X, C, and M.
4. In Rome, all free people were considered citizens and were subject to Roman law, enjoyed
the rights of all Romans, and owed allegiance
to the emperor. Today, in the United States,
though most citizens are born in the country
and immigrants can become citizens of the
U.S., all citizens share basic rights and must
follow the same laws.
Section 6
1. I think Modern Image H connects to Placard
E because (Answers will vary but may include)
both images involve documents made up of
laws; both images show documents that are
read by many people.
I think Modern Image C connects to Placard
G because (Answers will vary but may include)
both images depict scenes involving what
appears to be a judge; both images show a
courtroom scene.
2. Stoicism is the belief that a divine intelligence
rules all of nature and that a person’s soul is
a spark of that intelligence. Stoics wish to live
in a way that agrees with nature and to have a
good character.
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The Legacy of the Roman Empire 2