The Influence of the Roman Empire on Modern Society

Study Notes

Why We Should Care About the Romans

The Roman Empire was a major power from 117 AD.
The Roman alphabet is the basis for the Latin alphabet, used in many countries today, even those where it is not the official script.
The Roman alphabet has 23 letters, J, U, and W were added later.
Latin is a "dead language" but many English words are derived from Latin.
The Roman Republic was a major influence on the US form of government.
The US Senate uses the Roman symbol, the faes, for its seal.
The Roman calendar is the basis for our modern calendar, and many month names are derived from Roman gods and emperors (January - Janus, March - Mars, June - Juno, July - Julius Caesar, August - Augustus Caesar).
The word "calendar" is derived from the Latin word "kalons".
Roman architecture is seen in US government buildings, such as the US Capitol and the Supreme Court, which often use neoclassical elements like columns and domes.
The Jefferson Memorial is designed to resemble the Roman Pantheon, a famous temple.
Christianity spread through the Roman Empire, aided by the Empire's infrastructure, including roads.
Christianity is the world's largest religion.
The birth of Jesus in the Bible is set within the context of the Roman Empire and mentions a Roman census ordered by Caesar Augustus.
Rome is the center of the Roman Catholic Church, which is the largest Christian denomination.
Ancient Rome is a popular setting for movies and entertainment, such as "Gladiator", "The Eagle", and "Ben-Hur".

The Roman Empire's Enduring Legacy

The Roman Empire existed from 117 AD and shaped the world in many ways that we still see today.

The Roman Alphabet

The Roman alphabet has 23 letters and is the foundation for many alphabets used around the world.
Initially, the alphabet had 20 letters, but J, U, and W were added later.
The Latin language, which uses the Roman alphabet, has been influential in English, contributing many words.

Roman Influence on Government & Culture

The Roman Republic, a predecessor to the Empire, inspired the US governmental structure.
The US Senate even uses the Roman symbol "fasces" for its seal.
The Roman calendar is the basis for our calendar, including month names derived from Roman gods and emperors.

Roman Influence on Architecture & Religion

Roman architecture is prominent in US government buildings like the US Capitol and Supreme Court, using classic elements like columns and domes.
The Jefferson Memorial is specifically inspired by the Roman Pantheon.
The Roman Empire's infrastructure, particularly well-maintained roads, facilitated the spread of Christianity.
Christianity, now the world's largest religion, has its origins within the Roman Empire.
The Bible mentions a Roman census ordered by Caesar Augustus, demonstrating the Roman influence.
The Roman Catholic Church, the largest Christian denomination, is headquartered in Rome.

The Enduring Appeal of Ancient Rome

Roman history and culture continue to fascinate us.
Popular movies like "Gladiator," "The Eagle," and "Ben-Hur" are set in ancient Rome, highlighting its enduring cultural influence.

Description

Explore the significant impact of the Roman Empire on contemporary culture, government, and language. This quiz covers various aspects, including the Roman alphabet, calendar, and architectural influence on the United States. Test your knowledge on how the legacy of Rome continues to shape our world today.