The Romans were artistic and innovative people. Their civilization flourished so much that their influence can still be felt now. Their contribution to society is so vast that some high school and college courses dedicate a lot of time to educating students about what the Roman’s have done for modern society.
Being one of the largest and most influential empires the world has ever seen, Romans have left behind a legacy that can still be felt in government, law, engineering, religion, language, and architecture. The concept of modern-day government is divided into three branches of judicial, legislative and senate is similar to the Roman Republic. Roman numerals are still being used today, and there are even terms in the fields of medicine, science, and law.
Even modern-day architecture still sees the influence of the Romans. Know more about long-lasting effects below.
- The Romans made the use of concrete of popular – everyone knows that most modern-day buildings are made from concrete, but some of these buildings do not last for decades. In ancient times, the Romans made the use of concrete popular instead of marble. While modern-day concrete is strong and durable, the recipe used is different from what the Romans used before. The Roman concrete, made from lime mortar, water, and other materials is strong enough to withstand thousands of years, as evidenced by the ancient Roman structures we can see today.
- The use of columns became widespread – in ancient Rome, the use of columns became very popular. Though columns were used for support, the Romans made it so that it was also beautifully styled that it was seen as a decorative enhancement and more than just an ordinary beam. With the use of chisels, hammers and other tools, the Romans carved designs on the columns. Some of the modern buildings that make use of columns are the White House, the Federal Hall in New York City and the Smithsonian.
- They introduced bridges – with the use of arches, the Romans were able to introduce a new way of traveling between cities. It was during their time that bridges were introduced, making it safer to travel from one place to another without having to cross bodies of water. What used to be impassable can now be used for traveling. And the use of arches is not just for bridges, one of the most popular tourist spots in Paris, the Arc de Triomphe, is greatly influenced by the Romans. The Romans actually used them to carve the important events that happened during that time.
Whenever Romans would conquer the city, they would also create an aqueduct to supply water to all the citizens of the place. Aside from that, the Romans invented a very complicated yet useful road system. They found a way to connect all the cities to each other, and all of the roads led to Rome, the capital.
The influence of the Romans does not end there, and the architects and civil engineers of today continue to study them to get inspiration and ideas.