Roots of Western Civilization

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Roots of Western Civilization
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Greco-Roman Culture

• admired Greek culture
• art, literature, architecture and philosophy
• mixing of Greek, Roman and Hellenistic Culture
• classical civilization
• Roman art and literature conveyed Roman ideals
• strength, permanence and solidity
• http//www.uetigers.stier.org/library/ghg9grecorom
  anart.html

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Roman Fine Arts

• learned sculpting from Greeks
• realism
• bas-relief or low-relief
• told stories
• created mosaics
• small pieces of stone, tile or glass
• painting
• bright, large murals

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Learning and Literature

• Stoicism
• encouraged virtue, duty, moderation and endurance
• Virgil
• wrote epics
• government most important contribution

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Legacy of Rome

• Latin
• developed into French, Spanish, Portuguese,
  Italian and Romanian
• Master Builders
• arch, dome and concrete
• Colosseum
• Aqueducts
• transported water

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Roman system of law

• early law
• strengthened rights of citizens
• as it grew
• equality for everyone
• basis of legal systems
• US, Europe and Britain

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Enduring influence

• Combined with Greek culture to strengthen Western
  cultural tradition
• Roman idea is immortal