Download achievements of the roman empire

Friday 9/20/13
RAP
 What do you think was the Roman
Empire’s biggest achievement? Explain.
Today:
1. Review reading notes on Rome.
Ancient Rome Ch. 2.2—pages

Today:
– Read intro to Rome—take notes
– REVIEW the first section of the Guided note
taker.
 Bring to class everyday—if we have time you can work
on it, but you will need to read at home to finish it. 
– Needs to be complete by Wednesday of next
week.
 ANCIENT ROME QUIZ NEXT WEDNESDAY!!
Friday 9/20/13
EXTRA RAP 
 Choose a teacher from your past, and describe
the positive influence she or he had on your life
today.
ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE
ROMAN EMPIRE
Assume the role of scholar

In this activity, you will assume the role of a
scholar (learned person).
– After examining ten different “accomplishments of
Rome” through pictures and descriptions of various
aspects of Roman life, you will make a quick sketch
of each and take notes on them.
– After taking notes on each you will write a speech
praising the legacy of these aspects of Roman
civilizations.
Ancient Roman Accomplishment
Notes
Make three columns in your note book and
11 Rows.
 Make a quick sketch of the
accomplishment in the first row.
 Describe the accomplishment in the
second row.
 Explain how the accomplishment affects
people today, in the third row.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
SKETCH
DESCRIPTION
System of laws;
twelve tables, etc.
AFFECTS PEOPLE
TODAY
System of Laws

Early Roman law was written down and carved on
twelve tablets. Though these Twelve Tables of Law
applied only to Roman citizens, the tablets, as the
picture shows, were hung in the Roman Forum for all
to see. As the Empire expanded, these laws were
combined with other laws and customs.
– The laws were written down as a
code of justice that would apply
to all people.
– According to Roman law, an
accused person was considered
innocent until he or she was
proven guilty.
– The principles of Roman law
became the basis for many
codes of law developed in
European countries and places—
like America.
Latin Language

Latin was the spoken and
written language of Rome.

Many forms of literature—poetry, histories,
fictional stories, and dramas—were written in
Latin.
Latin could be understood throughout the
Empire, and it became the language
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of the Roman Catholic church.
Latin greatly influenced the
vocabulary of many languages.
The English word “justice,” for
instance, comes from the Latin
word “jus” meaning law.
This same Latin root is also found in the
French word “justice,” the Italian word
“giustizia,” and the Spanish word, “justicia.”
Spread of Greek Ideas
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Roman life was heavily influenced
by Greek ideas and culture.
Educated Romans learned
the Greek language and
studied Greek art,
literature, philosophy,
and architecture.
Romans developed Greek
architectural features,
such as columns and
arches, and used them in
their buildings.
This picture of the Baths of Caracalla shows
the use of the arch in Roman bath-houses.
Visitors came to Rome to see the
city’s magnificent buildings, 37
monumental gates, 500 fountains,
and 36 marble arches.

visitors returned to their own
lands, and began to imitate
Roman and Greek styles in their
own buildings.
Many
Spread of Christianity
In early Roman times, Christianity,
a new religion, was one of many
religions.
– Christians were persecuted (legally
punished) because they refused to
worship the Roman gods and
emperor.
– Many Christians were tortured and
executed and became martyrs
(people who suffer or die for their
beliefs).
– Some were used as human torches,
while others, as pictured above,
were sent to the Circus Maximus
arena to battle and be devoured by
lions.
– The attempts by Roman authorities
to eliminate Christianity backfired.
– People in the Roman Empire were
so impressed by the faith of the
martyrs that they converted to
Christianity in large numbers.
– By A.D. 395, Christianity was
declared the official religion of the
Roman Empire and rapidly spread
across the Roman world.
Greater Freedom for Women
In early Roman times, women had few legal rights.
As the roman Empire expanded, new ideas were included in the law that provided
some protection for women.
 Women were given the right to own property, which helped them gain other rights.
For example, some Roman women owned businesses and some gained political
influence in Rome.
 Above, we see a picture of a woman pharmacist. At home, many women shared in
household decisions and managed the family accounts.
 Freedoms were given to women in new lands as people visited Rome and brought
back new ideas.

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Development of the Dome
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Romans learned how to use
columns and arches from both the
Etruscans ad the Greeks, two
groups that settled in Italy before
Roman civilization developed.
The Romans improved on design
of arches by inventing the dome, a
roof formed by rounded arches.
Once Romans learned to use
concrete, they were able to mold
the domes on the ground. After
the walls and columns of a building
were constructed, the dome was
hoisted into position on the top of
a building. This achievement
allowed architects to build
enormous structures using domes.
Today domed buildings, like the
Arizona State Capitol and Montana
Capitol building shown here,
appear in many parts of the world.
Development of Aqueducts
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The need for a water supply
in cities led Romans to build
aqueducts.
Aqueducts, canal-like concrete
structures, brought water
from springs, wells, and
distant lakes to people in
cities.
In order to supply drinking
water to the Roman people,
aqueducts tunneled through
mountains and crossed
valleys.
Here we see an illustration of
interconnected systems of
aqueducts in ancient Rome.
People became aware of the
need for cleanliness – took
back to their own lands.
Network of Concrete Roads
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To improve transportation and
help unify distant parts of the
Empire, Romans built highways.
By the year A.D. 100, over
250,000 miles of roads
connected the cities of the
Roman empire.
These roads were made of heavy
concrete blocks set in layers of
crushed stones and pebbles.
Like the Appian Way, the famous
road pictured here, Roman roads
were designed to last forever.
 The extensive Roman system of
roads and bridges made travel

faster in the days of ancient
Rome than it ever was again
until the development of
railroads in the 1800’s.
Military Organization
As the Roman Empire expanded, it
needed extra military protection against
invaders.
 To strengthen defenses, the Roman

government required all citizens who
owned land to serve in the army.
The roman army was divided into units
called legions.
 These groups were made up of 6,000
heavily armed foot soldiers.
 Each legion was divided into smaller
units, called centuries, which could be
moved around quickly.
 As a result, groups of Roman soldiers
could easily split off from the main army
and attack an enemy from all sides.
 The roman army – pictured here
storming a fortress-was built on
cooperation and discipline.
 A Roman legion had to be able to build a
complete fortified camp in a night, and
was trained to-at the sound of a
trumpet-take apart the very same camp
in a single night.

Republican Form of Government
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Rome’s form of government
influenced other societies.
In 509 B.C., Rome set up
a
republic-a government in
which citizens vote to choose
their leaders.
By about 275 B.C., no single class of
people dominated the government.
 Rather, the government was partly a
monarchy (ruled by a king), partly an
aristocracy (ruled by nobles, as was
the Roman senate), and partly a
democracy (government by the
people).

In the picture above, we see a Roman
leader speaking in the Senate.

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The Constitution of the
United States is based on the
Roman Republic’s system of
balancing the legislative,
judicial, and executive
powers of government.
Eulogy

You are going to write an eulogy for the Roman Republic.
– Eulogy is a speech or piece of writing that praises somebody or
something very highly, especially a tribute to somebody who has
recently died
Title: Come up with something creative.
 Written for audience that knows Rome fell, but little about its
accomplishments and lasting contributions to the world and the
local community.
 Must contain the following elements:

– Section I: Highlight the legacies of the Roman Empire. An
example may be “The Roman Empire has many lasting achievements.”
Discuss at least 5 achievements.
– Section II: Discuss the ways in which the legacy of the Roman
Empire influences the community today. It might begin, “Today,
the Roman Empire influences our community in these ways.” Provide
at least 3 examples.
Rest of class

Please read and fill in your note taker on
Ancient Rome
– Ch. 2.2