Day 8

Rome and the Roots of Western Civilization

      I.        The Legacy of Greco-Roman Civilization 

·     Greco-Roman Civilization- a new culture produced by the mixing of Greek, Hellenistic, and Roman culture.

·     Also called classical civilization

1.    Roman Fine Arts

·     Pompeii- best examples of roman painting are found in this town; Mount Vesuvius erupted and covered Pompeii in a thick layer of ash and killed about 2,000 thousand residents.

2.    Learning and Literature

·     Virgil- a poet who spent ten years writing the most famous work of Latin Literature, the Aeneid,the epic of the legendary Aeneas. 

·     Tacitus- a Roman historian, notable among ancient historians because he presented the facts accurately; also, was concerned about the Romans’ lack of morality.

     II.        The Legacy of Rome

1.    The Latin Language 

·     Official language of the Roman Catholic Church into the 20^thcentury.

2.    Master Builders

·     Aqueducts- designed by Roman engineers to bring water into cities and towns.

3.    Roman System of Law

·     Some of the most important laws:

1.    All persons had the right to equal treatment under the law

2.    A person was considered innocent until proven guilty

3.    The burden of truth rested with the accuser rather than the accused

4.    A person should be punished only for actions, not thoughts

5.    Any law that seemed unreasonable or grossly unfair could be set aside

4.    Rome’s Enduring Influence

Questions 1 and 5 page 183

1.    Greco-Roman Civilization- a new culture produced by the mixing of Greek, Hellenistic, and Roman culture.

Pompeii- best examples of roman painting are found in this town; Mount Vesuvius erupted and covered Pompeii in a thick layer of ash and killed about 2,000 thousand residents.

Virgil- a poet who spent ten years writing the most famous work of Latin Literature, the Aeneid, the epic of the legendary Aeneas.

Tacitus- a Roman historian, notable among ancient historians because he presented the facts accurately; also, was concerned about the Romans’ lack of morality

Aqueducts- designed by Roman engineers to bring water into cities and towns.

5.    Because of its common Roman heritage.