Rome was a major city in Italy that was a huge influence on the rest of the known world in the 10th century BC for about two and a half thousand years. Over that time, it became one of the largest empires in the ancient world. Since Rome had a big influence on the rest of the world, the things that they invented and experienced have a large effect on our world now.
Government was one of the affects that Rome has on our society today. To become part of the Senate, you were elected by the people on the basis of who they liked better and would run the city better. The Roman Senate was mostly advisories. They didn't actually make the laws. They listened to the voices of the people and what the people outside of the government wanted. This was just like our modern day democracy of how the people vote for what they want.To go into office, such as a governor or president, you are elected by the people who choose the person that they think is right for the position. They choose the person that they think will help their society to improve.
The culture of Rome is similar to our culture now a day too. In Rome, they had gymnasiums, theaters, and libraries. We also have these places that we use for entertainment, just like the Romans. The Baths in Rome were sort of like their version of our malls. At the Bath's they could wash themselves, or there were stores and places to entertain themselves or just hang out with friends. Although at our malls there are not places to bathe, there are many shops and places to go to be with friends and families. The Forum was also a major place for the Romans that consisted of outside shops and entertainment. This is similar to our fairs or even our malls.
Roman technology has also influenced our world too. Romans were using cement to build their roads. The cement resulted in marble and then there was glassblowing. We still use everyone of these things today to make items such as roads or beautiful glass pieces. Romans also invented underground aqueducts to supply their water to the cities and to get water to their crops. Back then, this was a major invention that still helps us today. Rome's sanitation was excellent too. Some places had flushing toilets and indoor plumbing. If it wasn't for the Romans are sewer systems would not be like they are now.
The Ancient Olympics were competitive events that are what created our known Olympics today. The Roman Olympics happened every four years, or Olympiad, just like ours. At first the Olympics had only one event, a short sprinting race, but then it expanded to two and three men races. Other events that were added on over the years of the Olympic were boxing, wrestling, and chariot racing. Olympics now, include running, boxing, and wrestling just like the Ancient Olympics. Just like the Olympics now, they are very, very competitive.
"Livy was a Roman historian in the time of Augustus. He wrote about Romulus and Remus and their life growing up. He also told how Rome started and everything in between then and the time he died. Livy was the one to write about the famous Hannibal and the second Punic Wars in Book 21. Here is an exerpt from Book 21 by Livy: [21.1]I consider myself at liberty to commence what is only a section of my history with a prefatory remark such as most writers have placed at the very beginning of their works, namely, that the war I am about to describe is the most memorable of any that have ever been waged, I mean the war which the Carthaginians, under Hannibal's leadership, waged with Rome. No states, no nations ever met in arms greater in strength or richer in resources; these Powers themselves had never before been in so high a state of efficiency or better prepared to stand the strain of a long war; they were no strangers to each other's tactics after their experience in the first Punic War; and so variable were the fortunes and so doubtful the issue of the war that those who were ultimately victorious were in the earlier stages brought nearest to ruin. And yet, great as was their strength, the hatred they felt towards each other was almost greater. The Romans were furious with indignation because the vanquished had dared to take the offensive against their conquerors; the Carthaginians bitterly resented what they regarded as the tyrannical and rapacious conduct of Rome. The prime author of the war was Hamilcar. There was a story widely current that when, after bringing the African War to a close, he was offering sacrifices before transporting his army to Spain, the boy Hannibal, nine years old, was coaxing his father to take him with him, and his father led him up to the altar and made him swear with his hand laid on the victim that as soon as he possibly could he would show himself the enemy of Rome. The loss of Sicily and Sardinia vexed the proud spirit of the man, for he felt that the cession of Sicily had been made hastily in a spirit of despair, and that Sardinia had been filched by the Romans during the troubles in Africa, who, not content with seizing it, had imposed an indemnity as well. "
Book 21 is all about the story of Hannibal and the story of the Punic War. It describes the battle tactics that Hannibal and the Romans used to defeat Hannibal.
Rome has been through many tough times, but through it all they have invented and experienced events that will help the world to succeed in many ways like improving government and entertainment.
"Ancient Rome -." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 05 Mar. 2010.
"Ancient Olympic Games -." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 05 Mar. 2010.
"Livy -." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 05 Mar. 2010.
"Livy's History of Rome." Kennedy Assassination Home Page Index. Web. 05 Mar. 2010.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ancient_Olympic_Starting_Line.JPG
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