Architectural Landscape and Imagery
The sights and sounds of the ancient Roman Empire are no more. The Forum, the Pantheon, Rome’s seven hills, the Colosseum, the Aqueducts – all these monuments to Rome’s grandeur and power are gone, leaving us with a haunting absence of the magnificence that was the Roman Empire. However, modern archaeologists and urban planners are looking to the past to imagine what the ancient city might have looked like if those ruins had never been lost.
For starters, Colosseum would have been their biggest stadium, with over 80,000 seats. It had three floors and was an icon of the sporting scene and with the popularity of gladiatorial games, it is easy to ensure that it would have still held a huge influence on the city’s citizens. Other architectural marvels of the empire such as the Forum, the Pantheon, the Circus Maximus, and the Appian Way – the oldest of Rome’s ancient roads – would have still been standing, dominating the skyline.
The city of Rome itself would have been unrecognisable from the ruins we can find today. Cities during the Roman Empire were characterized by many high-rise buildings, monumental entrance gates, public squares and impressive public gardens. It is likely that larger public works like aqueducts would also have been preserved, allowing the city to sustain its population while allowing its citizens access to clean water. Rome was also known for its extensive infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and sewer systems, which would have added to the modernized look of the city.
Not only would the city have been different architecturally, but in terms of its economy as well. Though slavery would still have been a significant factor in Roman life, many citizens would have been educated and had access to learning and knowledge, giving them the opportunity to be involved in business and other activities outside of manual labour. The Roman market system of trade and commerce had evolved considerably in the centuries leading up to the fall of the Empire, and with advances in communication technology, it is likely that this area would have been even further developed.
Of course, no discussion of what ancient Rome would look like without its celebrated ruins would be complete without a nod to the impact of the Roman Empire on modern culture. Though art, literature, and philosophy from the Roman era often focused on topics such as tragedy and religion, in modern life, we’re drawn to modern-day gladiatorial combat in the form of mixed martial arts, and the same ancient plays, poetry and literature have been adapted into screenplays and may have even inspired modern plays such as Shakespeare’s work.
Overall, it is clear that without its ruins, the ancient Roman Empire would have been completely different. Modern archaeologists and urban planners can only use their imaginations to speculate on what the city might have looked like in its prime.
The Influence of Religion
The ancient Roman Empire was known for its religious pluralism, as Romans adopted and adapted from a variety of religious traditions such as Greek, Egyptian, and Babylonian. In the absence of its ruins, it’s likely that the same spirit of religious openness and tolerance would still have been present in the city.
The Roman Empire was built upon a foundation of polytheism, although Christianity had begun to take a more significant foothold towards the end of their rule. It is likely that if the ruins had never been lost, the church would still have had a significant influence in the city, and Christianity would have maintained its influence. The presence of major Christian churches and monuments, as well as smaller places of worship, would have been an important part of the landscape and the spiritual lives of ancient Romans.
Additionally, in the absence of the ruins, there would probably have been more of a melding of different religious traditions, as the city would have been exposed to various external influences. Philosophers and teachers from other parts of the world would have been more often welcomed in Rome, exchanging ideas, stories and beliefs which could have resulted in a truly unique religious culture.
The presence of multiple religions in the city would have doubtless led to more tolerance of different beliefs and ways of life, something which has undeniably been lacking in modern times. In a world where religious tensions are still high, the values of an Ancient Rome without its ruins could have offered a different path – one of understanding and acceptance.
Cross-Cultural Exchange of Ideas
The Roman Empire was an expansive and influential power, with contact and ties to many different parts of the world. Without its ruins, it is likely that even more would have been achieved in terms of cross-cultural exchange and understanding.
The city of Rome had many contacts in the Near East, North Africa, and Asia due to its far-reaching influence. This could have led to further advances in philosophy, literature, art, architecture, science, and engineering as knowledge from different cultures may have been more freely exchanged. Philosophers from other lands may have been welcomed in Rome, bringing ideas and writings from different perspectives and helping to shape the culture and thought of the city.
Moreover, the scientific community in Rome would have had much more access to knowledge and advancements that may have been difficult to exchange in the past. With increased cultural exchanges, not just within the city but with the wider world, advancements in medicine, engineering and astronomy would have been made much more quickly, leading to a world which was much more connected and enlightened.
Today, the world is still divided in many ways, but without the loss of the Romans’ ruins, it is likely that a much more progressive society would have emerged in the ancient world.
Political Influence
Without its ruins, Rome would have still been a powerful and influential city, albeit with a slightly different political system. Instead of the emphasis on military strength and waging wars for the sake of glory, Rome would have focused more on internal power struggles and crafting laws that would grant Roman citizens equality under the law.
Rome’s Senate would have been an important forum for debate and discussion, and the Roman democratic process may have been able to maintain its integrity if the political elite hadn’t become too eager for personal power. The Roman Empire’s wealth and power would have likely been maintained, although it is difficult to predict which areas they would have chosen to focus on without their ruins.
The Roman Republic had professionalized prison systems and police forces, something which only deteriorated significantly when the Empire transitioned towards autocracy. Without its ruins and their negative influence, the Roman political system may have been able to reform itself, maintaining that balance of power, justice, and representation which many of us today still strive for.
The loss of the ruins has left a gap in our understanding, but it is possible to look to the past to speculate on how the city of Rome may have flourished if its ruins had been preserved. Roman citizens may have had a more balanced system of government, a thriving economy, and a diverse religious landscape, all inextricably linked to the city’s appreciation for knowledge and a desire for progress.
Archaeological Advances
The loss of Rome’s ruins has also had a major impact on the way archaeologists study the city. Without the ruins, it is much more challenging to study the city’s history, as there is no physical proof or evidence of many of the events and personalities which shaped the Roman Empire.
Archaeologists have had to rely more heavily on literature and art from the period, and much of the knowledge of what Rome was like prior to the fall of the Empire is based on speculation rather than physical evidence. While archaeologists have been able to make fascinating discoveries in the centuries since the city’s decline, it is almost certain that even more would have been found if its ruins were still standing.
Without its ruins, modern-day archaeologists are also forced to rely more heavily on virtual models and computer simulations to help them understand what the city was like in its heyday. In the absence of physical evidence, these methods help to bring the wonders of Ancient Rome to life and help us gain a greater understanding, albeit distant, of what it might have been like in the time of the Empire.
Whilst it is heartbreaking to imagine what the city of Rome might have looked like in its prime, it can be comforting to know that the same values from the Romans’ time still exist today: progress, knowledge, a respect for difference, and a love for culture and art.
The Economic Impact
The loss of the ruins had a profound economic impact on the Roman world, especially during the empire’s decline. With no ruins to visit and advertise to tourists and traders, much of the city’s prosperity was lost, and its influence slowly faded as other powers rose in their place.
The wealth of the city was largely built upon trade, and without the ruins, there was far less incentive for traders and merchants to visit the city and do business there. Additionally, without its ruins, the city of Rome was unable to attract the same numbers of tourists, and much of the associated income was washed away.
It is likely that the loss of the ruins impacted the city’s finances significantly, which could have had far-reaching consequences on the entire Roman world. Without the same influx of funds and resources, the city and its citizens would not have been able to invest in the development of their infrastructure, technology, and educational opportunities in the same way as had been seen previously.
The loss of Rome’s ruins is tragic, but it is clear that their destruction had a dramatic impact on the fate of the city and the wider Roman world. Beyond its cultural losses, the economic impact of the ruins’ destruction cannot be ignored, and it is likely that if the ruins had been preserved, the city of Rome would have been a far different place from the ruins we see today.
Social Life in Ancient Rome
Though many people associate Rome solely with its ruins, in its heyday it was renowned for its vibrant and bustling social scenes. Public social life was centered around the public forums, marketplaces, and sports events, and many people gathered in private clubs and restaurants, again of which would no longer exist without the ruins.
Additionally, without its ruins, Rome’s reputation as a thriving metropolis full of diverse cultures would not have been the same. People from all over the Roman world would have had easier access to the city, encouraged by the preservation of its famous landmarks and buildings, and even more people would have been drawn to the city’s food, art and theatre.
Moreover, with the city’s wealth relatively secure, it is likely that there would have been more opportunities for people to pursue leisure activities. Pubs and clubs may have become increasingly popular as entertainment venues, and citizens would have encountered even more influences from other cultures, potentially leading to a more broadly accepting public sentiment.
Social life would have been a much more vibrant and diverse affair in Ancient Rome if the ruins had been held in place. People from all over the world would have experienced an immersive and multicultural society, which may have had a ripple effect on their perspectives and beliefs.
Urban Landscape
If Ancient Rome had been without its ruins, the urban landscape may also have been somewhat different. Without the monuments and statues which are now associated with the city, much of the same history and architecture would have been lost.
However, the city would still have been dotted with numerous other structures, such as theatres, parks and gardens, and squares. Major squares such as the Forum and Via Sacra would have provided venues for public events and gatherings, while lesser-known sites such as the Cloaca Maxima and the Aquae Felicitatis would have still been destinations of choice for the curious sightseer.
Also, the grid pattern which characterized the city’s streets and avenues would probably have been a clear feature. Different neighbourhoods would have been easily distinguishable from one another, providing a variety of environments to explore and allowing citizens to create their own sense of community.
In its prime, Ancient Rome was renowned for its stunning urban design and architecture.
