The Influence of the Roman Empire on Modern Society

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.