The Most Influential Aspects of Ancient Rome in Today’s World

It is my belief that some of the most influential aspects of ancient Rome still seen in the world today are the system of law, the spread of Christianity, and the architecture. The Romans system of law is the base of most systems in the western world, and the Greek-inspired architecture is seen in many buildings, including the Lincoln memorial, and other government buildings. The Romans accomplished many things during the rise and fall of the empire, and so has gained immortality through its influence.

Under the Roman law system, all people were equal in court, and all people were considered innocent until proven guilty. The Roman government also allowed people to use evidence to support their cases. There were also rules and regulations to ensure that trials were as fair as possible. This system has become the foundation of many; the U.S. uses all four of those aspects, among others. The rest of the world is gradually turning to these same principles, with some exceptions, or course.

The Romans also helped Christianity to spread. At first Christians were persecuted, but still they gained power. Finally, Constantine stopped that persecution, and converted to the religion. Later, Theodosius I made Christianity the state religion. From this came the Pope: leader of the church, but also a powerful politician. His two ceremonial keys stood for two kinds of power: one religious, and one political. The pope controlled the lives of the masses, and all leaders looked to him for consent, and advice.
The Romans have left us remnants of great buildings and temples that have greatly influenced our own modern architecture. The Greeks were the first to use columns: Corinthian, Doric, and Ionic. The Greeks developed new ways to construct massive structures, and the Romans built on this: using columns, domes, and high ceilings to make their mark on the world.

The Roman Empire lasted about five hundred years, but the legacy of that highly advanced civilization has survived millennia. Indeed, without the Romans, life as we know it would be vastly different. Our courts are regulated, and controlled by many strict rules. We can be assured of a fair trial, and of the right to defend ourselves, no matter the evidence against us. Christianity was brought in by the Roman elite, and went from existing on the fringes, to being the largest single religion on earth. Our buildings and homes use many features of Roman engineering and architectural skill. Though centuries have passed since the Roman Empire was overthrown, it lives on in the bedrock of our own civilization.