Why was Ancient Rome Built?
Ancient Rome’s influence on the world is undeniable. One of the earliest and most influential civilizations to ever exist, the Roman empire left an indelible mark on history and the way we view the world today. So why was Rome built, and what do its foundations still tell us today?
At the dawn of the Roman Republic, Rome was a city-state made up of a conglomeration of villages and towns competing for hegemony in the region. It was founded by the Etruscans in the 7th century BC, after the Bronze Age and before the Iron Age.
The Etruscans were a powerful people and a major driving force in the region. They controlled the area known as Latium, an important hub and trading center of the Roman world. The Etruscans and other Italics, along with the shared religious beliefs Rome held with the ancient Greeks, all combined to form the basis of the Roman city-state.
The Roman Republic was, in essence, an agrarian-based economy. The people lived in small agricultural units on small plots of land, trading and bartering with other communities for food and building materials. Rome had a very strong agrarian economy, based on large-scale agricultural production.
The other feature of the Roman Republic was that it was founded on the basis of law and order. This was the basis of the civil system, with a court, laws, and courts of justice. This system allowed Rome to have a powerful and organized military, as well as cities and roads that could be developed and effectively used.
The Roman Republic’s economy also rested on a strong, powerful military. This allowed Rome to expand and conquer territories and to build an extensive network of roads, which provided the necessary infrastructure for effective communication and transportation.
Rome was also a great center for learning, with numerous schools, universities, and centers for studies of science, philosophy, and the arts. It was the center of the ancient world and a major source of knowledge and education for the people living in and around the city.
Additionally, the Roman Republic was a powerful religious society. Religion was an important part of the Roman people’s lives, and religious practices were integral to the functioning of the state. Religion was also instrumental in the formation and success of the military, as soldiers were often expected to swear loyalty to the gods of Rome.
Rome As an Empire
When the Republic was transformed into an Empire in the 1st century BC, Rome took on an entirely new outlook. As a powerful world-spanning state, Rome became an all-powerful military superpower, dominating the Mediterranean and visiting influence and control upon Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
The Roman Empire was founded upon military strength and expansion, but also upon social, economic, and cultural progression. The Roman Empire was a vast, multi-ethnic experiment in living, with cultural, religious and ethnic heterogeneity being its strength.
This was something new and different, and the Romans were never content to sit back and relax. They were constantly pushing the boundaries and exploring new cultures, bringing in new technologies, and creating conflict and discourse.
The Roman Empire was also an innovator in terms of architecture, engineering, and urban design. It made great strides in technology, particularly in the areas of hydraulics and sewage systems, which helped to enhance the quality of life for its citizens. Rome’s road networks also helped to open up trade and commerce, allowing people from all parts of the world to participate in it.
Legacy of Ancient Rome
The legacy of Ancient Rome is still seen today in the form of the Roman laws, the Latin language, and the influence of the culture on other parts of the world. The Roman Republic and the Roman Empire continue to shape our thoughts and ideas, and the societies we live in today would be drastically different without them.
Many of the systems of government, law, and infrastructure that we take for granted today owe a substantial debt to the Romans, and their influence was felt for centuries after their fall from power.
The Roman Republic and Empire also produced a wealth of important philosophical texts, which continue to be studied and analyzed by scholars today. Many of the most influential thinkers in history have drawn inspiration from the works of Roman authors, including Cicero, Seneca, and Livy.
Most importantly, the Roman Empire was a major driving force in the development of Christianity. Christianity was almost certainly influenced by the cultures and beliefs of the Roman world, and its rise to prominence has been linked to the fall of Rome.
Rome and Ancient Military
Rome’s military was one of the most powerful and advanced of its day, particularly its infantry. Rome’s army was made up of cohorts, or large groups of troops organized into centuries, or smaller groups of 10 soldiers. The soldiers were provided with a wide variety of weapons, including javelins, swords, spears, and bows.
Rome’s military was also an innovator in terms of strategy and tactics; its troops were some of the most effective and efficient in the ancient world. The Roman legions were versatile and well-disciplined, and the Roman military was renowned for its success in sieges and other large-scale battles.
Rome’s military was also a major innovator in terms of engineering. The Roman engineers were some of the first to use concrete in construction, a technique which would be essential in the building of bridges, aqueducts, and other infrastructure around the world.
The Roman navy was also an advanced force, innovative and able to navigate the Mediterranean seas with ease. The Romans also developed significant advances in navigation in the form of the compass, which could be used to determine one’s position on the open sea.
Role of Religious Beliefs
Religion played a major role in Rome’s development and the functioning of the Roman state. Religion was closely tied to the state, and there was a strong intertwining of religious and secular rule throughout the Roman Republic and Empire.
Rome was a polytheistic society, and its many gods were closely intertwined with its politics, as well as with its military and legal systems. Worship of the gods and goddesses was of great importance in the Roman world, and it was believed that they had the power to influence human affairs.
Many of the most important Roman gods and goddesses had direct ties to the Roman republic and the Roman Empire, and their worship was often seen as a way to promote the success of the state. The cult of Jupiter, for instance, was seen as an important part of the Roman Republic, and Jupiter, along with the pantheon of gods and goddesses, was a great source of inspiration for Roman soldiers.
Roman Technology
The Roman Republic and Empire were also great innovators in terms of technology, particularly in the areas of construction and engineering. The Romans were some of the first to use concrete in their buildings, a technology which would remain in use for centuries.
The Romans were also innovators in terms of city planning and civil engineering. They built roads, aqueducts, and sewers, which improved the quality of life for residents of their cities. Rome also had an extensive network of roads, which allowed it to control its far-flung territory and open up trade and commerce.
The Romans were also pioneering inventors. They invented numerous tools, such as the saw and the compass, as well as ingenious devices such as the water wheel and the sundial.
The Roman Way of Life
The Roman way of life was defined by the city-state and the law. The citizens of Rome were surrounded by many other states, and the Roman way of life was distinctive in the fact that it promoted stability, order, and safety.
The Roman way of life was also based around religion and the gods. Roman gods were a source of inspiration for politicians, soldiers, and thinkers, and the religious beliefs of Rome pervaded many aspects of its culture and daily life.
Rome was also a great center for learning, with numerous schools, universities, and centers for studies of science, philosophy, and the arts. It was the center of the ancient world and a major source of knowledge and education for its citizens.
The Romans were also a very practical people, and a major part of their daily lives was the use of technology to make life easier. The Romans developed a wide range of tools and machines, which allowed them to build their cities, roads, and sewers, as well as to hunt, farm, and make war.
Finally, the Roman way of life was also based around values such as courage, honor, and justice. It was this belief in a code of conduct that allowed Rome to become one of the greatest empires in world history, and it is one of the foundations on which modern civilization is built.
