the legacy of the roman empire. reasons for the fall of the roman empire in the west. political...
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The Legacy of the Roman Empire
Reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire in the west.
•Political Instability
•Economic and Social Problems
•Weakening Frontiers
Political Instability
Lack of peaceful method for transferal of power
Generals fighting for control
Economic Problems
1. huge armies - heavy taxes - poverty
2. slaves - unemployment - poor flood to cities
3. trade declined
Social Problems
• 1. corruption and government waste
• 2. decline in the spirit of citizenship
• 3. crime made roads unsafe
Weakening Frontiers
• 1. empire’s huge size made it hard to defend
• 2. barbarians move inside empire
Rome is Divided • 1. Constantine sets
up new capital in the east at Byzantium (Constantinople). Byzantine Empire last another 1000 years.
• 2. barbarians invade in the west and set up separate kingdoms; last emperor driven from throne 476 C.E.
Rome Leaves a Lasting Legacy in
• Art• Architecture• Engineering• Language• Writing• Philosophy• Law• Citizenship
Art
1. Important Art Forms: realistic statues, mosaics, frescoes, decorative bottles, gem cutting, metal work and cameos
2. Art Forms that Influence modern life: murals, lifelike statues, cut gems, and cameos
Architecture and Engineering• Important Architectural and
Engineering Achievements: arch, vault, dome, concrete, stadium, triumphal arch, roads, bridges, and aqueducts.
• Architecture and Engineering that Influence Modern Life: designs of churches, banks, government buildings (including our Capitol dome), stadiums. Some modern roads are built over Roman roads and some aqueducts are used today.
Language and Writing• Roman alphabet has 23
letters; English 26 letters (J, U, W)
• The numbers 1, 10, 100, and 1000 were written as I, X, C, and M.
• Roman language that influences modern life: proverbs, Latin root words and prefixes.
Latin Roots Used in English WordsLatin Root
Anima
Meaning
Life, breath, soul
English Word(s)
Animal, animated
Civis Citizen, community
Civic, civilian
Lex, legalis Law, legal legislature
Manus Hand manual
Militare To serve as a soldier
Military, militia
Portare To carry Portable, portion
Unus One United, union
Urbs City Suburb, urban
Verbum word Verbal, verbatim
Latin Prefixes Used in English Words
Latin Prefix Meaning English Word(s)
In, im, il Not Inactive, impossible, illogical
Inter Among, between international
Com, co Together, with Communicate, cooperate
Pre Before Precede, previous
Post After, behind postpone
Re Back, again Remember
Semi Half semicircle
Sub Under. Less than, inferior to
Submarine, substandard
Trans Across, through transportation
Philosophy, Law, and Citizenship• Important Roman ideas: 1. Live in a way that agrees with
nature 2. The only true good thing in life is to
have good character 3. Everyone has natural rights
• Ways Roman philosophy, law, and citizenship have affected modern life:
1. Some legal codes are based on Roman laws
2. Many people today believe in natural rights as stated in the Declaration of Independence
3. In the U.S., all citizens have the same rights