Roman Culture

1. Roman Culture The Romans admired and copied the Greeks in many ways but they always adapted what they borrowed to better suit their own needs.

2. Greek Statues Idealized (made to look perfect – young, healthy, and beautiful.) Roman Statues Realistic (made to look real – wrinkles, warts, and all.) Art

3. Greek Structures Used porches and colonnades (rows of columns) Roman Structures Also used arches, domes, and vaults (a curved arch ceiling) Architecture

4. Roman Concrete Romans invent concrete, a mixture of volcanic ash, lime and water. It was long lasting, light weight in comparison to stone, and could be formed into what ever shape was needed. Architecture

5. Greek Writing Epic poems – such as Homer’s Odyssey Satires – works poking fun at human weaknesses. Myths – tales of Gods and Goddesses Histories – recorded events of their civilization Plays – tragedies and comedies Roman Writing Epic poems –such as Virgil’s Aeneid Satires – the poet Horace followed the Greek style Myths – the writer Ovid based some of his works on Greek myths. Histories – the writers Livy and Tacitus recorded events of Roman history Plays – the writers Seneca, Plautus, and Terence based their works on Greek plays Literature

6. Greece Greek was the language of the Greek city-states Rome Latin was the language of the Roman Empire (although educated people also learned Greek.) Latin became Europe’s language for government, trade, and learning up to 1500. Latin is the basis for many modern languages such as Italian, French, and Spanish. Language

7. Greek Science Questioned how the world worked. Galen, a Greek doctor, brought many medical ideas to Rome. In particular anatomy (the study of the body structure.) Roman Science Questioned how the world worked. Galen’s anatomy Ptolemy – mapped over 1,000 different stars and created rules to explain the motion of the planets and stars. He also created detailed maps of the known world. Science

8. Roman Engineering Buildings A large network of roads Bridges Aqueducts Sewers Engineering

9. Religion Greek gods and goddesses were popular in the Roman Empire, although they were given Roman names.

10. Religion The Roman Empire eventually adopted the religion of Christianity; making it the official religion of the entire empire. This spread the religion to hundreds of thousands of people all around the Mediterranean Sea area.

11. Greek Philosophy Greek Stoicism – focused on finding happiness through reason Roman Philosophy Roman Stoicism – focused on living in a practical way (accepting and dealing with life’s problems), doing your civic duty by participating in public affairs, and keeping your emotions under control. Writers Epictetus and Seneca were two famous Roman Stoics. Philosophy

12. Law • The Romans followed a code of law which made popular the idea of all people being considered innocent until proven guilty. It also made popular that citizens had both a right and a responsibility to help run the country.