Lesson 3: The Legacy of the Roman Empire

Key Idea

By the 400s C.E., the mighty Roman Empire was rotting from the inside. A long line of weak and corrupt emperors made the government unstable. The empire also faced severe money problems, and its society was filled with unrest.

This internal weakness made it difficult to defend the empire’s vast frontiers from constant attack. Eventually, the combination of problems became too great. In 476 C.E., the last western emperor was overthrown, leading to the collapse of the Western Roman Empire into many smaller kingdoms.

Key Idea

When the Romans encountered Greek settlements, they were impressed by their grand temples and public buildings.

The Romans borrowed many Greek ideas for their own architecture, using features like large columns and strong designs. This style helped make Roman cities look powerful and magnificent, reflecting the strength of their empire.

Key Idea

Even after the empire fell, Rome's influence lived on in its art. Romans decorated buildings with beautiful mosaics, which were pictures made from tiny, colorful tiles. Their sculptures showed people as they really were, with wrinkles and all, unlike the perfect figures often created by the Greeks.

The Roman language, Latin, also had a huge impact. Over time, it evolved into several modern languages, including Spanish, French, and Italian. These are known as the Romance languages. Many English words also have Latin roots, connecting modern speakers directly to the ancient Roman world.

Key Idea

The Romans believed justice should be fair and consistent. To achieve this, they created a written code of laws called the Twelve Tables. This meant that the rules were public and applied to everyone, preventing powerful people from changing them on a whim.

This legal system grew over time and influenced many modern countries. The Romans also developed the idea of citizenship, which gave people specific rights and duties within the empire. This concept became a blueprint for how future governments would define who belongs to a nation.