Discovering Our Past: Ancient Civilizations

Chapter 10: Roman Civilization

Chapter Overview

The Romans admired and studied Greek art, architecture, and ideas. Roman engineers built an impressive system of roads, bridges and aqueducts to supply Rome with clean water. They also built sewer systems. Despite these achievements, the large city was crowded, noisy, and dirty. The Forum served as a marketplace and public square. People enjoyed watching the chariot races and the gladiators in the Colosseum. The Romans worshiped many gods and goddesses. As the empire grew larger, Romans learned about other religions.

Poor leadership, a failing economy, and attacks by Germanic tribes weakened the Roman Empire. As the government weakened, the Roman economy fell apart. Farmers grew less food, artisans produced less work, and businesses closed. The empire was further weakened by inflation. Despite the reforms of Diocletian and Constantine, the empire continued to decline. It eventually split into the Western Roman Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire.

The Eastern Roman Empire became the Byzantine Empire. The location of its capital city, Constantinople, helped to make it safe from invaders and accessible to trade. The policies and reforms of Emperor Justinian and his wife, Empress Theodora, helped make the Byzantine Empire strong. Byzantines developed a rich culture based on Roman, Greek, and Christian ideas. The religious center of the empire, Hagia Sophia, featured mosaics of saints.