Roman's Scientific Achievements

The great Roman Empire expanded across all of Europe and into the Middle East. Its military was one of the finest. With major trading in Africa and Britain, the economy flourished with brining many citizens a healthy income. With amazing advancements in culture and technology, Roman society was at its finest. During the Pax Romana, the Romans had 200 years of peace and good ruling by level headed dictators and emperors. Despite Rome’s greatness in all of these areas, Rome would eventually fall. Surprisingly all of these qualities that led up to a flourishing empire were the same ones that led to its demise. As Germanic tribes invaded, the military weakened and the government became unstable.

     The technological advancements of Rome were by far some of its greatest achievements. With such implementations and inventions and the great aqueducts and the better and more advanced weapons and fighting styles the Romans clearly had an edge over their opposition. The ability to provide fresh drinking water to all of its citizens is an accomplishment itself. The military advancements that the Romans created clearly made the difference in many battles. In fact, it is argued that as soon as people such as the Visigoths started using this military technology the Romans were doomed. Technology can definitely help sustain a civilization, but does it help create one?

The Roman Empire conquered land at a previously unparalleled rate, within the known world, affecting its institutions from the rest of the Empire’s prevalence. From Hispania to Britannia sweeping across the mediterranean, gaining Egypt, ending in Persia; the absorption of Carthage and North Africa, and finally the civil war being won by Augustus, all brought upon the negative effects of their conquest. The Empire continued to grow from the year 200 B.C.E. to the year 200 C.E.; this growth had many effects upon the Empire. Although expansion and conquest are often good, seen as liberating, or wholly expansive in mathematical, philosophic, and scientific thought, this is not inherently the case. The Roman Empire’s expansion was not entirely as powerful and awe inspiring as many claim it to be; the greedily performed collection of lands resulted in many negative outcomes. These outcomes largely presented Rome with an issue they would never be able to recover from: empiric decay. The effects of militaristic expansion, of the Roman Empire, resulted in the decay of previously prosperous economic, political, and social institutions.

Despite who it is, it is a loss or decline In technology and skill in exchange for increased labor. . Plutarch says that Gaius Gracchus built needed roads, and mile-calculating systems. These were needed technological advancements, and despite the creator, they were useful. Seneca says that the hammer and tongs were not created by wise men, nor does it matter which came first. He says that they were created by someone nimble and sharp, and are useful. Frontinus says that the aqueducts are important, and are very useful. He then goes on to say that the pyramids and the useless but famous works of the Greeks are unimportant, for they do not help the empire.

In popular culture and many history books Rome is portrayed as the pinnacle of culture before our modern times. Roman achievements such as aqueducts, thermal spas, roads, and the use of concrete are often highlighted to show how advanced technologically Rome was. Think of the film Gladiator and its depiction of the advanced coliseum. But imagine if Rome had never fallen. Would modern society be more advanced today? Quite the contrary would be true. It is actually medieval technology and society that progressed more rapidly than that of Rome, and if it weren’t for the fall of Rome, technology would have advanced much more slowly.

In document 8, the “flowing aqueducts” of the Roman Empire greatly increased the ability for people to live in very condensed areas, and therefore making the empire more efficient by allowing more people to live in smaller areas. The elected officials in each respected empire noted that, because of the technological advances, the empress benefited. Thus showing that the ideas of man to invent and reinvent are not always broken causes. Document 6 states that, the romans had very advanced roads built, roads built to last thousands of years. “For the roads were built to carry straight through the country without wavering and were paved with quarried stone and made solid by tightly packed sand.” This quote shows that, because of how technologically advanced the Romans were, they were able to build these roads, roads that still last

The Roman Empire was one of the most impregnable empires at it’s time. It conquered the Mediterranean Sea and was a well organized and blooming empire, at first. Many problems began to hit Rome straight in the face, three of the main problems that ended this magnificent empire were the economic problems, the weakness and vulnerability of their army, and the fallibility of the leaders and politics.

One of the greatest civilizations ever born was the Roman Empire.  When it started off Rome was known as a “sleepy little town”(Background essay) that had awakened once the Greek empire began to fall.  During the time of Julius Caesar was when Rome turned from republic to an Empire with Caesar as its first emperor.  Soon over the years Rome became a powerhouse with its lands stretching all around the Mediterranean Sea.  However unlike other civilizations where they fell because of other civilizations, Rome fell from within its walls because of several possible reasons and theories.

The Roman Empire has been looked up to for ages and seen as a model for many current societies. What many do not hear about as often as Roman accomplishments is the decay of the empire. Throughout several years, the Roman Empire was in a state of decay due to many deciding factors. The most important among these (and the most devastating) are natural disasters, diseases, economic corruption, the fall of the Roman army, and the invasion of the brutal Huns.

The Roman’s view of technology is more pessimistic than the Hans. Their attitude shows very little concern to how the common people benefit from the invention of technologies. Especially, Cicero refers the craftsmen as “vulgar” (Doc 2). This shows that they don’t respect any inventions whatsoever because the upper-class Roman does not care about those inventions. As long as they don’t benefit the upper class then they would think it is not necessary for the society. Seneca repeated this saying that the minds of whoever invented hammers or tongs were “not great or elevated” (Doc 5). This explains why the Romans concentrated more on mathematics and science than inventing technologies. Although Plutarch shows more appreciation towards technology than other Romans, stating that the roads were built with great pride. He said, “stones on either side of the road at lesser intervals so that it would be easier for those who had horses to mount them” (Doc 4). This does not show any benefit for the common or

After the collapse of the Roman Empire, Western Europe faced a period of regression and continuity. This collapse meant that few had the knowledge and skill to continue the foundation that the Romans had created. The Romans’ withdrawal caused chaos in small kingdoms, without that ‘central government’, tribes and countries were at war with one another, causing a halt in the progression in public health. Wars destroyed the Roman public health system and also the medical libraries, they disrupted trade so countries became poorer, travel became dangerous – reducing communication between doctors, education and the development of technology was disrupted.

The Roman Empire left a legacy that still continues to affect people with modern technology. The Romans’ technology might have not been as advanced as modern technology today, but they still managed to caused great impact over the ancient people. The Roman Empire’s inventions and innovations such as indoor plumbing, aqueducts, and construction of roads and buildings with their fast drying will always be notable attention because they managed to acquire extensive progress without modern methods. However, the Romans were not restricted to new inventions, they also managed to improve the existing fields of medicine, law, government and warfare.

Thesis: Although the many advancements in health and medicine greatly contributed to the growth of the Roman Empire, the advancements in construction and architecture played a larger role in the growth of the Roman Empire

Romans found new societal and technological innovations which led their empire to be a sustainable society. These innovations helped the Roman Empire to be successful and peaceful. They aided in making everyone content, including the conquered and prevented wars from breaking out within the empire. Technological innovations helped the citizens live a comfortable and healthy life. New innovations included new beneficial laws.

The technological advancements of Rome were by far some of its greatest achievements. With such implementations and inventions and the great aqueducts and the better and more advanced weapons and fighting styles the Romans clearly had an edge over their opposition. The ability to provide fresh drinking water to all of its citizens is an accomplishment itself. The military advancements that the Romans created clearly made the difference in many battles. In fact, it is argued that as soon as people such as the Visigoths started using this military technology the Romans were doomed. Technology can definitely help sustain a civilization, but does it help create one?