Conquered Greece conquered her rude conqueror

1. Conquered Greece conquered her rude conqueror …and brought the arts to Rome -Roman poet Horace

2. Roman Achievement • The Romans took Greek and Hellenistic achievements and adapted them • Resulted in a blended culture • Really, the Romans took a large portion of their philosophy, science, and culture from the Greeks

3. Literature • Roman authors borrowed Greek themes and style • Differed from Greeks in that they wrote in Latin • Virgil, author of the Aeneid, tried to relate his works to that of Homer • Told story of Rome’s founding, hoped to inspire national pride • Other poets, like Horace, used satire to make fun of roman society.

4. Art • Like the Greeks, the Romans focused on every detail of a person • Focused on revealing a person’s character • Facial expression is key

5. Art

6. Art

7. Art • Romans used art to decorate homes • Depicted scenes from daily life or Roman literature • Many had mosaics- pictures made from chips of colored glass or stone

9. Architecture • Romans emphasized grand power and beauty, as opposed to simplicity • Used columns, arches, and domes • Great example is temple for their many gods, the Pantheon

10. Science and Math • Romans excelled in engineering- the application of science and math to develop structures and machines • Developed the aqueducts- bridge-like stone structures that carried water from the hills into cities

11. Science and Math • Romans did little research themselves- left the thinking up to the Greeks • Pliny the Elder, a Roman, complied huge volumes of information gathered by other people • In Alexandria, Ptolemy suggested that the earth was the center of the universe • This would be accepted for 1500 years

12. Baths • Aqueducts would carry water into Rome, and pumped into public bath houses • Not only did they bathe, but Romans used bath houses as opportunities to socialize, to gather news and gossip

13. Legal Legacy • “Let Justice be done though the heavens fall!” • Rome’s commitment to justice can be seen in many modern-day legal systems • Originally had one system of laws for citizens and one for non-citizens • Once citizenship was extended to all parts of the empire, they were merged into one

14. Legal Legacy • Romans developed the idea of: • Innocent until proven guilty • Accused allowed to face accuser and offer defense • Judges allowed to interpret laws and make fair rulings • Guilt must be established “clearer than daylight”