Roman Influence???

Question

How have Romans influenced today's society? And how are we today, Romans?

Answer 1

In too many ways!

In terms of language, Latin is the language from which the Romantic languages are derived. Without the Romans we would not have French, Spanish, Italian, or - even though it is of mainly Germanic origins, English as we know it.

In terms of law, Roman law is still a huge influence on the way we interpret our own legal system. Courts and witnesses and juries - a lot of what we consider "the right way" to do law is, in actuality, the "Roman way".

I apologize that I'm not a classical historian (got any cold war questions?), and must admit that those two points are all I'm drawing at this point. I'm sure someone else can highlight a few more for you, though.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Their language pervades all those of Western Europe (Italian, French, Spanish and Portuguese are Romance languages, and English, through Old French, has borrowed a lot of vocabulary from Latin). Latin still is a language of culture and science (wonder why the scientific names of animals and plants are latin?). Not to mention the fact that we still write using their alphabet.

Their legal system has influence that can still be felt today, even though british and American law feel it less than others... still, many legal terms and aphorisms are Latin in origin (starting with Habeas Corpus)...

And if Rome had not dominated the Mediterranean for 500 years, our history might have taken a very different turn. Ever wonder what the world would be like if there hadn't been a Roman prefect in Jerusalem in 33 AD and one Jesus had not died on a Roman cross? or, for that matter, if Caesar had not made Western Europe a Roman possession from Spain to Britain and from the Atlantic to the Rhine?

Answer 3

Most democratic governmental systems take after the Roman republic. We have roads, aqueducts (better ones than the Romans but they were ahead of their time so give em' credit), and art, too.

Romans also built small apartment complexes, however, they would collapse easily since steel reinforcement was not around then.

Think about the English language/alphabet for a moment. It has roots in Latin as well as Greek (just like 50% of the Indo-European languages...English is one of them).

The idea for a middle name and last name comes from Roman society.

Roman influence seems to be endless.

Answer 4

Just as the previous great empires, America is collapsing from within. The Greeks no longer believed they would be attacked and became more peaceful, Alexander the Great became ill, Genghis Khan died with too many heirs, the Holy Roman Empire started religious wars and the law of the land was Catholic law. The Romans created a political system that eventually led to liberalism and the end of the empire. They were the first "republic" to be destroyed by it's own politics. Americans do not realize that liberalism is the guaranteed destruction of our society, country and way of life. If they are so bent on change, they should move to places where that life already exists.

Answer 5

Actually the modern western civilization is thought to have it's oldest roots in the Greek culture. Roman culture was an extension of the Greeks'. Basically Romans built upon, and extended the Greek heritage. Western art, science, politics, etc. all have Greco-Roman roots. If you need more info or details feel free to ask more specifically...

Answer 6

Ancient Rome influence today since much of the same architecture is used today. We have a senate and a republic today, similar to that of the romans. Many places were named by romans back then such as London,romans named it Londinium.

Answer 7

TODAYS SOCIETY IS TODAYS ROMAN SOCIETY WAS ROMANS AFTER ALL YOU NEVER HEARD OF A ROMAN WALKING ABOUT WITH AN I POD POINT TAKEN

Answer 8

Yes they have