The ancient Romans had many contributions that were important to the western civilization. Some of their contributions include the aqueducts, public baths, markets, and juries. The Romans were also the greatest builders of the ancient western world. They created a legacy that proved to be as dominant as it was long lasting and many roman principles are embodied in their modern instructions. The Romans made varies of contributions to the Western Civilization, but a few are the most important of all. Rome was the most important civilization to the Western World. It had left a great legacy behind by paving the road for the spread of Christianity, forming the basis for the republic, and allowing for a widespread diffusion of culture.
In many ways, the Roman legacy remains the ideal upon which Western civilization has shaped itself today. For example, the capitol in Washington is seen to be followed by the roman model in making of a new nation. According to history-world.org, as the Athenians saw the symbol of their city-state's democracy and culture in the rock-jutting Acropolis, so the Romans viewed the Forum as the symbol of imperial grandeur. The Romans were practical people whose greatness lies in shaping the government and the law. They wanted to lead the nation and that is what we adapted through their teachings still today.
Years ago, the Romans created one of the biggest and best organized empires the world has ever seen. Throughout their lands, they built towns and roads, and spread their way of life. One of the reasons why their empire was so successful was that, unlike other ancient states, the empire welcomed outsiders. Foreigners could become Roman citizens. At first this was a given as a reward for the loyalty or for the service in the Roman army, but under Emperor Caracalla, who ruled 211-217, citizenship was granted to every free inhabitant of the empire. (Chisp, 2007, pg 8) From the earliest years of the Republic, the Romans fought to defend themselves against their neighbors and to extend their territory. The Romans were tough fighters, but they were also politically astute, making military alliances with other cities in order to bring them under Roman control. (Chisp, 2007 pg. 14)
Several years ago, the Romans claimed that their city had been founded in 753 B.C.E by Romulus, son of Mars, the god of war. After ruling for 40 years as Rome’s first king, Romulus was believed to have been carried away into the sky, where he became a god. Romans were proud of their city that they were sure that the gods must have had a hand in its birth. (Chrisp, 2007 pg. 10) The Romans were proud of the works they had done especially their architecture. The Romans built some incredible buildings. According to the Encyclopedia, The origins of Roman architecture can be traced to the Etruscans, who migrated from Asia Minor to Italy in the 12th cent. B.C. What little is known about their architecture has been ascertained from clay models and tomb interiors. Etruscan architecture is thought to have derived from prototypes found in the nearby Greek colonies in southern Italy established during the 8th and 7th cent. B.C. The Etruscans are thought to have used arches and vaults in their later architecture. (Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 2009, 6Th edition, p1-2, 2p) The sequence of buildings in Rome shows how the Romans developed their own building styles, based on the Estrsucan and the Greek method. The styles combined columns, arches, and vaults. They were long, think bricks of clay which would be made to a standard size that gave more of a characteristic appearance to the city. The Romans invented a type of concrete that they faced with stone or brick. (Deckker, 2007, pg. 25)
Most important among the structures developed by the Romans themselves were basilicas, baths, amphitheaters, and triumphal arches. Unlike their Greek prototypes, Roman theaters were freestanding structures. The auditorium was semicircular, with movable seats at the orchestra level. Distinctly Roman innovation were the uniting of stage and auditorium as a single structure and the rich architectural embellishment of the stage itself. For the oval amphitheaters such as the colosseum, there are no known Greek precedents. The monumental or triumphal arch was also a purely Roman invention. The basilica, probably a Roman development based on the Greek temple, provided a large and relatively open interior space. From its original use as a Roman law court, the basilica form was adapted by the Christians for their churches. (Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 2009, 6Th edition, p1-2, 2p)
The baths, while probably derived from Greek gymnasia, were constructed on a totally unprecedented scale, the complexity of their plan competing with the luxury of their detail. In the typical Roman dwelling, the rooms were grouped about the atrium, which, by means of an opening in its roof, also served as a court. Multistory houses in the larger cities, called insulae, anticipated modern apartment buildings, as can be seen for example at Ostia (3d cent. A.D.). A third type of Roman dwelling was the luxurious country villa built by wealthy citizens to escape the congestion and squalor of the cities. (Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 2009, 6Th edition, p1-2, 2p)
One of the most famous architecture that influenced the western civilization was the amphitheatre. A Roman amphitheatre was as big as a modern football stadium. But the Romans did not go there to watch football, unlike we do today. The amphitheatre was the setting for gladiatorial games-contests between professional fighters that were often fought to death. A stone amphitheatre was built in 29 BC, but it was later destroyed in AD 64. To replace it the emperors built the amphitheatre called the Colosseum. The Colosseum was completed in AD 80. It was enormous by 188 meters long, 156 meters wide and 40 meters high. It could seat over 50,000 people. The five tiers of seating around the central arena were reached from 76 entrances at ground level. Under the floor of the arena there was a system of lifts, and ramps that would lead to trap doors in the arena floor. Wild animals would be released through these trap doors. There was also a tunnel to the Ludas Magnes, where the gladiators lived and trained within the Colosseum. (Connolly, 2001, pg. 36-37) Today we have the arena for entertainment to watch the super bowl and concerts. The Romans have influenced the idea of the amphitheatre for entertainment purposes. Another example of what Rome had passed on to the western civilization was the idea of building the arch by supporting the weight on both sides. We have learned so much from the Romans such as the architecture of building roads.
The Roman Roads constructed a network of long, straight roads with deep foundations. Unlike earlier track ways, which turn into squelchy mud under the heavy rain, Roman roads were well drained and could be used in all weathers. Good roads were needed throughout the empire so that armies and official messengers could travel quickly from place to place. Yet they benefited everyone, from traders and farmers bring goods to the market, to sick people trying traveling to healing shrines. (Chisp, 2007, pg 62) Today, we can drive from one point to another point across without worrying because we have such huge roads on high ways.
We have also adapted the way of celebrating their customs such as the ritual of a funeral. The way we do the funeral ritual for someone who has passed away is very similar to how the Romans used to the ritual. For an example, during the Roman times, the Romans had various ideas of what would happen to them after death. From the Greeks, they took the belief that a dead person’s spirit was rowed across a mythical river to a dark underworld. So the dead were buried with a coin in their mouths as a fee for the ferryman who would take them. There was a belief that the dead remained in or around their tombs, where they could receive offerings. Everyone felt that it was important to be given a proper funeral and a grave marker of some kind, so they would not be forgotten. (Chrisp, 2007, pg 54) The Romans have influenced us very greatly by remembering a loved one by giving them a proper burial in honor of their respect and a part of our culture. This is also done so we can let them live in peace.
In conclusion, Rome has had the greatest influence on Western Civilization of all previous civilizations combined; leaving priceless gifts that should not be forgotten. Rome left cultures, customs, government, politics, and religion, contributions that to this day have greatly influenced Western Civilization. The Romans have heavily influenced us with their architecture and the buildings that stand today in the Western civilization is due to the works of the Romans. We have learned so much from them by some of the work they have done. For example, the water works that have helped us out with our water such as the dams. They have also brought over their customs that we have adapted such as the rituals that we do during a funeral for a loved one, by giving them a proper burial.