Roman Culture and Achievements Notes

Through war and conquest, Roam generals carried the achievements of Roman civilization to distant lands. Yet the resulting civilization was not simply Roman. It blended Greek, Hellenistic, and Roman achievements. The blending of these traditions produced Greco-Roman civilization. Travel during the Pax Romana spread this new tradition.

Virgil’s epic poem The Aeneid describes how the Greek hero Aeneas escaped from Troy and found Rome. Virgil’s goal in writing the poem was to increase patriotism and help unite Rome after years of civil war. The poem stressed cultural links between Rome and Greece.

Romans were impressed by the Hellenistic philosophy of Stoicism. It stressed duty, acceptance of one’s fate, and concern for the well-being of all people. Emperor Marcus Aurelius became a noted Stoic philosopher and writer.

Many poets satirized Roman society: Horace used wit to attack human folly, and Martial (another humorous writer) was so biting he had to use a fictitious name to protect himself.

Historians often stressed patriotic virtue. Livy recounted tales of heroes such ad Cincinnatus, and Tacitus wrote of the loss of liberty after the fall of the Republic.

Artists and sculptures stressed realism and sought to focus on the subject’s character and expression. Some sculpture was highly idealistic, portraying traits of power, grace, or strength. Romans would use art to beautify their homes. Mosaics were created from small bits of stone of glass. In AD 79, a volcano, Mt. Vesuvius, erupted, burying Pompeii in ash and trapping residents, but preserving their homes and art work.

Immense palaces, temples, and stadium were monuments to Roman power. Architects improved on structural devices such as columns and arches.

Engineers built roads, bridges, and harbors throughout the empire. These structures were so solidly built that many are still in use long after the empire fell. Eleven aqueducts brought water from the surrounding hills into the city of Rome. The water supplied public baths. Wealthy Romans had water piped into their homes.

A single, written, legal code covered citizens and non citizens alike. However, penalties varied according to social class. Lower-class defendants often received harsher treatment.

Many Roman principles became part of the modern American legal code, such as:

• An accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

• A defendant has a right to face his accuser and offer a defense.

• Clear evidence must be offered to prove guilt.

• Judges are required to interpret laws fairly.