Roman Influence on the Modern World

Tom Richey
13 Apr 201410:47
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script delves into the enduring influence of the Roman Empire on Western Civilization, emphasizing that despite its ancient origins, the Romans continue to shape modern society in significant ways. The lecturer highlights seven key areas where Roman contributions are evident: the alphabet, language, law, calendar, architecture, religion, and entertainment. From the Latin alphabet's global use and the widespread influence of Latin-derived words in English, to the Roman Republic's impact on the U.S. government and the spread of Christianity, the script underscores the profound and lasting legacy of Roman civilization. It also notes the architectural inspiration drawn from Rome, evident in neoclassical buildings like the U.S. Capitol, and the ongoing popularity of Roman-themed entertainment in modern media. The summary serves to remind viewers of the relevance and pervasive impact of Roman culture on contemporary life.

Takeaways
  • 📚 The Latin Alphabet: The Roman Empire's alphabet, which evolved into the Latin alphabet, is widely used globally and has influenced how we spell words in various languages.
  • 🔡 Alphabet Evolution: The classical Latin alphabet had 23 letters, and the absence of certain letters like J, U, and W has affected the way words are spelled in languages that adopted this alphabet.
  • 🌍 Global Influence: The Latin alphabet's reach extends beyond Western countries, with even nations like China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Israel teaching it for scientific and scholarly purposes.
  • 📝 Latin Language: Despite being considered a 'dead' language, Latin is still pervasive in modern languages, with many English words having Latin roots.
  • 🏛️ Roman Law and Government: Roman legal principles and the concept of a republic have heavily influenced the U.S. system of government, including the structure of the Senate.
  • 🗓️ Roman Calendar: Our modern calendar, including the names of the months and the concept of 'kalends' for the first day of the month, originates from Roman tradition.
  • 🏛️ Architectural Legacy: Roman architectural styles, such as neoclassicism, are evident in many public buildings in the U.S., including the U.S. Capitol Dome and the Jefferson Memorial.
  • ⛪️ Spread of Christianity: The Roman Empire facilitated the spread of Christianity, which is now the world's largest religion, and Rome remains the center of the Roman Catholic Church.
  • 🎬 Entertainment and Media: The Roman era continues to captivate audiences through movies like 'Gladiator', demonstrating a continued interest in Roman history and culture.
  • 🌟 Lasting Relevance: The Roman civilization's contributions to alphabet, language, law, calendar, architecture, religion, and entertainment ensure its enduring impact on Western civilization and global culture.
Q & A

  • Why is the study of the Romans still relevant today?

    -The study of the Romans is relevant because they have profoundly influenced Western Civilization and continue to impact various aspects of modern life, including our alphabet, language, law, calendar, architecture, religion, and entertainment.

  • What did the Romans contribute to the development of the alphabet we use today?

    -The Romans contributed the Latin alphabet, which is the basis for the modern English alphabet and is used worldwide. The classical Latin alphabet had 23 letters, and it has influenced the way we spell words in English and other languages.

  • How has Latin influenced the English language despite being considered a 'dead' language?

    -Latin, although not spoken as a modern language, has contributed a significant number of words to the English vocabulary. Many English words are derived from Latin, and Latin is still used in scientific nomenclature and legal terms.

  • What is the connection between the Roman Republic and the United States' system of government?

    -The Roman Republic served as a model for the United States' system of government, particularly in the establishment of a Senate. The Roman fasces, a symbol of the Roman state's strength, is also depicted on the Seal of the United States Senate.

  • How did the Romans influence the naming of the months in our calendar?

    -The names of the months in our calendar are derived from the Roman Calendar. Months such as January, March, June, July, and August are named after Roman gods or significant figures like Julius Caesar and Augustus Caesar.

  • In what ways has Roman architecture influenced modern structures, particularly in the United States?

    -Roman architecture has influenced modern structures through the use of neoclassical elements, such as columns and domes, which are evident in buildings like the US Capitol Dome, the Supreme Court building, and the Jefferson Memorial.

  • How did the Roman Empire facilitate the spread of Christianity?

    -The Roman Empire provided the infrastructure, such as roads and a centralized administration, that allowed Christianity to spread across the known world. The story of Jesus' birth in The Gospel of Luke is set within the context of a Roman census, illustrating the empire's role in the religion's dissemination.

  • What is the significance of Rome in the context of Christianity today?

    -Rome is the center of the Roman Catholic religion, which is the largest group of Christians in the world. The Vatican City, with St. Peter's Basilica, holds a significant religious and historical importance for Christians globally.

  • How has the entertainment industry continued to use the Roman era as a setting for movies?

    -The Roman era has been a popular setting for movies such as 'Gladiator,' 'The Eagle,' and 'Ben-Hur,' which often depict historical events, gladiatorial combat, and the intrigues of the Roman Empire, providing modern audiences with an entertaining look into the past.

  • What is the origin of the word 'calendar' and how is it connected to the Romans?

    -The word 'calendar' originates from the Latin word 'kalends,' which referred to the first day of the month. The Romans' way of keeping time has influenced the modern calendar system used worldwide.

  • Why do some countries that do not use the Latin alphabet still teach the Latin alphabet in schools?

    -Countries like China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Israel teach the Latin alphabet in schools due to its widespread use in scientific nomenclature and international communication, even if it is not the official script of those countries.

Outlines
00:00
📚 The Enduring Legacy of the Romans

This paragraph introduces the topic of the Roman Empire and its continued relevance to Western Civilization. The speaker, Richie, explains that despite the passage of many centuries, the Romans have left a profound impact on various aspects of modern life, including the alphabet, language, law, calendar, architecture, religion, and entertainment. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the Roman influence, which is still pervasive in contemporary society.

05:04
🏛️ Roman Contributions to Modern Society

The second paragraph delves into the specific contributions of the Romans to modern society. It covers the Latin alphabet's global use and its influence on English spelling, the pervasive presence of Latin-derived words in the English language, the Roman legal system's impact on the U.S. government, the Roman calendar's influence on our months and method of timekeeping, architectural styles inspired by Roman designs, the spread of Christianity facilitated by the Roman Empire, and the ongoing popularity of Roman-themed entertainment in movies.

10:04
🌟 The Persistent Influence of Roman Civilization

The final paragraph reinforces the idea that the Romans are one of the most relevant ancient civilizations, with their influence still being felt today. The speaker invites the audience to subscribe for more lectures on the topic, indicating a continued exploration of Roman history and its impact on the present. The paragraph concludes with a sign-off and a musical cue, marking the end of the lecture.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was a vast and powerful civilization that spanned from 27 BC to 476 AD, with its influence extending well into the modern era. In the video, the Roman Empire is highlighted as a civilization that has profoundly influenced Western culture and continues to impact various aspects of modern society, such as our alphabet, laws, and architecture.
💡Latin Alphabet
The Latin alphabet, derived from the Roman adaptation of the Etruscan alphabet, is the basis for many modern writing systems, including English. The video explains that the Latin alphabet has been adopted globally, with 26 letters in today's version, and has shaped the way we spell words, despite its borrowed nature.
💡Latin Language
Latin, although considered a 'dead' language because it is not used for everyday conversation, has significantly contributed to the vocabulary of many modern languages, including English. The video points out that numerous English words are derived from Latin, demonstrating the lasting impact of the Roman Empire on our language.
💡Roman Law
Roman law has been a foundational influence on the legal systems of many Western countries, including the United States. The video mentions that concepts from Roman law, such as the idea of a republic and a senate, are embedded in the structure of the U.S. government, showcasing the enduring legacy of Roman legal principles.
💡Roman Calendar
The Roman calendar has been the basis for the modern Gregorian calendar used worldwide. The video explains that the months of the year are named after Roman gods and that the concept of a calendar itself has its roots in Latin, with 'kalends' referring to the first day of the month.
💡Roman Architecture
Roman architectural styles have left a lasting mark on the design of public buildings and monuments across the world. The video references neoclassical elements in U.S. structures like the Capitol Dome and the Jefferson Memorial, which were intentionally designed to resemble Roman architecture, reflecting the admiration for Roman aesthetics.
💡Christianity
The spread of Christianity is closely tied to the Roman Empire, which provided the infrastructure for its dissemination. The video notes that without the Roman network of roads and centralized administration, the spread of Christianity would not have been as extensive. Additionally, the story of Jesus' birth is contextualized within the Roman world, highlighting Rome's role in shaping religious history.
💡Entertainment
Roman themes and historical settings continue to captivate modern audiences through films and other media. The video mentions movies like 'Gladiator' and 'Centurion' as examples of how the Roman world provides rich material for entertainment, keeping the legacy of Rome alive in popular culture.
💡Neoclassicism
Neoclassicism is an architectural movement that draws inspiration from the classical ideals of ancient Greece and Rome. The video illustrates this through examples of U.S. buildings like the Supreme Court and the Jefferson Memorial, which incorporate Roman elements to evoke a sense of grandeur and historical significance.
💡Caesar Augustus
Caesar Augustus, the first Roman Emperor, is mentioned in the context of the Gospel of Luke, where his decree for a census is said to have led to the birth of Jesus in a manger. The video uses this example to show how Roman historical figures and events are intertwined with the foundations of Christianity.
💡Vatican City
Vatican City, as the center of the Roman Catholic Church, is highlighted as a contemporary embodiment of Rome's religious influence. The video points out that the largest group within the world's largest religion, Christianity, is centered in Rome, demonstrating the ongoing significance of the city in religious affairs.
Highlights

The Romans still influence Western civilization today in many ways, despite their demise long ago.

We use the Latin alphabet, which was created by the Romans, throughout the world today.

The English language and many others have borrowed words from Latin, even though it is considered a 'dead' language.

The Roman Republic and Senate were early models for our system of government in the United States.

The months of our calendar are named after Roman gods and figures, and the word 'calendar' itself comes from Latin.

Neoclassical architecture in the US, such as the US Capitol and Supreme Court buildings, is inspired by Roman designs.

Christianity spread across the Roman Empire, which provided the infrastructure for its growth into the world's largest religion.

The story of Jesus' birth in the Gospel of Luke is set within the context of a Roman census.

Rome is the center of the Roman Catholic Church, the largest group within Christianity.

Movies like Gladiator continue to entertain us with stories set in the Roman world.

The Roman Empire was at its height in 117 AD, as shown in the accompanying map.

The Latin alphabet has 23 letters, lacking J, U, and W, which were added later.

Many scientific names are still written in Latin, regardless of the language being used.

The Roman Republic and Senate influenced the creation of the US Republic and Senate.

The Roman calendar's naming system and structure have been adopted into our modern calendar.

The Jefferson Memorial was intentionally designed to resemble the Roman Pantheon.

The spread of Christianity is inextricably linked to the Roman Empire's network and administration.

St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City represents the enduring influence of Rome on Christianity.

Transcripts

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Roman EmpireCultural InfluenceLatin AlphabetWestern CivilizationAncient RomeLanguage RootsLegal SystemRoman CalendarNeoclassical ArchitectureChristianity SpreadHistorical Entertainment