Contributions of Ancient Rome

1. Contributions of Ancient Rome North Carolina Geographic Alliance PowerPoint Presentations

2. Government Government • Republic – representative democracy • Senate – elected by citizens • Rule of Law – constitutional government • Expansion of the Empire – extended around the Mediterranean Sea and north to Britain • After the republic emperors replaced elected representative government and ruled the empire.

3. Architecture • Use of the arch and domes in building • Colosseum in Rome • Adopted Greek Ideas – columns • 4. Aqueducts for carrying water • 5. Development of cities

4. Transportation • Roman Roads – Appian Way • Shipping on the Mediterranean Sea • Transportation linked all areas of the Roman Empire • Goods to markets in cities • Movement of troops

5. Language • The Roman Latin alphabet adapted from the Greek alphabet • Latin became the universal language of Europe • Latin became the basis for the Romance languages • French • Italian • Spanish • Portuguese

6. Religion • Christianity • Developed during Roman times • Became the official religion of the • Roman Empire in the AD 300’s • From Rome Christianity spread • throughout Europe • Rome became the center of the • Christian faith and later the Roman • Catholic branch.

7. Roman Empire AD 117

8. Hadrian's Wall Around ad 122, Roman Emperor Hadrian ordered the construction of a wall in northern Britain, then part of the Roman Empire, to keep out theunconquered Caledonians of Scotland.

9. Architecture Architecture The Pantheon in Rome, one of the most famous buildings in the world, was commissioned by Hadrian in 118, and it was completed in 128.

10. Architecture The use of arches allowed Romans to build structures covering large areas.

11. Architecture The Colosseum in Rome (70-82) is best known for its multilevel system of vaults made of concrete.

12. Architecture Roman aqueduct in Spain Aqueduct construction

13. Transportation The cobbled Appian Way was constructed more than 2200 years ago as the primary route from Rome to Greece

14. Roman Forum More than 2,000 years old, the Roman Forum was the political, economic, and social center of the Roman Empire.