The city-state of Rome founded the Roman Empire in the 8th century BCE, which endured from 509 BCE to 27 BCE, marked by significant political and economic growth. It was an era of remarkable cultural and artistic achievements, reflecting the innovative and technologically advanced society of Ancient Rome. The legacy of the Ancient Romans extends to the present day, with numerous contributions that have had a profound impact on the world. In light of these facts, I am pleased to introduce:
The society of ancient Romans had a remarkable understanding of providing comfort to their citizens, evident from their development of central heating. They employed diverse techniques for heating their structures, which encompassed the use of fireplaces, furnaces, and hypocausts. The hypocaust was a distinctive heating system that utilized a network of flues or ducts to circulate warm air underneath the flooring of a building.
19) Halloween
Cc: History.com
Upon their conquest of the Celtic territories, the Romans assimilated the observance of Halloween, which was originally practiced by the Celts residing in present-day Ireland, the United Kingdom, and some regions of Europe. The Celtic festival of Samhain, held on the night of October 31st, signified the culmination of the harvest season and the commencement of winter.
Subsequently, the Romans adopted the contemporary Halloween festivities. One such instance was the Roman celebration of Feralia, which commemorated the departed and coincided with the time of Samhain.
18) Grid-Based Cities
Cc: Quora
The Romans displayed remarkable innovation in their approach to city planning, with a strong emphasis on a grid-based layout. This entailed an organized arrangement of everything in well-ordered rows, which proved to be a highly efficient method for designing a city.
They would segment the city into blocks and then construct all the necessary structures, such as residences, stores, and public edifices, within those blocks. This intelligent way of urban planning is still evident in modern cities such as Rome, Naples, and Milan.
17) Roman Arches
Cc: The Past
The Romans were truly impressive in the field of architecture, as exemplified by their awe-inspiring Roman arches. These arched structures, made of stone, were massive and capable of bearing an immense amount of weight, spanning across wide spaces without the need for additional support.
The Romans utilized them for various purposes, including aqueducts, bridges, and entrances to significant buildings. If you have ever glimpsed at an image of the Colosseum, you would have seen these arches in all their glory. It is remarkable to consider that they were constructed over two millennia ago and yet they stand sturdy even to this day.
Have you ever come across the Julian Calendar? It is an archaic calendar system that dates back to 45 BC, created by none other than Julius Caesar himself, the famous ruler of ancient Rome.
At the time of its creation, it was considered to be groundbreaking as it was the first calendar to incorporate a leap year, with an extra day added every four years to account for the fact that the Earth’s orbit around the sun isn’t precisely 365 days long.
However, despite its revolutionary nature, the Julian Calendar is no longer in use today. Most countries shifted to the Gregorian Calendar during the 16th century, which is a more accurate calendar system.
15) Social Projects
Cc: Encyclopaedia Britannica
The Romans were highly engaged in social projects aimed at improving the well-being of their community. They undertook the construction of an array of public facilities such as roads, aqueducts, public baths, amphitheaters, and other public buildings. These efforts were directed towards making life more comfortable for their citizens, ultimately resulting in an improvement in the quality of life and the development of the Roman Empire.
14) Roman Numerals
Cc: Adobe Stock
Did you know that the Roman numerals you learned at school were invented by the ancient Romans? The Romans developed a system of numerals known as the Roman Numerals, which use letters such as I, V, X, L, C, D, and M to represent the numbers 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000, respectively. Over time, Roman numerals have become an essential part of our society today.
13) Air Conditioning
Cc: Vitt Heating & Cooling
The Romans were not ones to tolerate the unbearable heat, and as such, they developed various techniques to combat it in their buildings and homes. Although they did not invent the air conditioner, they came pretty close.
Their methods included the use of water to cool the air, ventilation to circulate the air, shading to block the sun’s rays, and natural cooling techniques like building thick-walled homes with small windows to keep the heat out.
12) Welfare Benefits
The Roman Empire went beyond just creating infrastructure and architecture. They also established a welfare system to support their community, which was next-level civilization. The thesaurus, as it was known, was established in the 1st century BCE by Emperor Augustus. It provided a range of benefits such as food, clothing, and money to those in need.
The Romans were responsible for introducing the world to the technique of glass-blowing, which they learned from the Syrians. Glass-blowing had been practiced for centuries by the Syrians, and the Romans further developed the craft. Today, glass-blowing is still widely used to produce a variety of glass objects, ranging from scientific instruments and household items to art glass.
10) Dental Fillings
Cc: MC Mahons Point Dental
The Romans were concerned about maintaining their dental hygiene and were pioneers in the use of dental fillings and other materials for the restoration of teeth damaged by decay or injury.
They employed diverse materials such as gold, bronze, bone, and ivory to fill cavities and repair teeth. In addition, the Romans were innovators in the use of dental bridges to replace missing teeth, using gold wire to secure false teeth and to support a bridge spanning the gap created by the missing teeth.
9) Postal Service
Cc: IMPERIUM ROMANUM
In the 1st century BCE, the Roman Empire established a postal system called the “cursus publicus.” This system consisted of roads and stations designed to transport official mail and messages throughout the empire. The government used the system to communicate with officials and military commanders, and private individuals could also send letters and packages using it.
8) Newspapers
Cc: Early Church History
Although the Romans didn’t invent newspapers in the modern sense, they did have a system for spreading information to the public that was comparable to a newspaper. The Romans had a system of public announcements called “acta” which were posted in public areas, such as the forum, and read aloud to the public by a crier.
7) Apartments
Cc: Quora
The idea of shared living spaces in a multi-unit building originated in Rome and has evolved into modern apartments that typically offer a higher standard of living for people in various communities across the nation.
6) Bounded Books
Cc: BBC
The ancient Romans are credited with inventing the bound book, also known as the codex, which revolutionized how information was stored and accessed. Unlike scrolls, which were difficult to read and keep, the codex was a practical and efficient way to store and access written documents.
It was made up of folded sheets of papyrus or parchment that were sewn together, creating a spine along the edge of the book. This allowed the pages to be turned like a modern reader, making it easier to read and reference specific passages. While not as advanced as modern storage solutions, the codex was a major breakthrough in its time.
The Romans were pioneers in mass-producing glass, which had various applications such as windows, mirrors, and decorative items. Even today, glass remains a ubiquitous material, used in a wide array of products including windows, bottles, and containers. Regardless of whether the glass is half-empty or half-full, it is a testament to the Romans’ ingenuity and craftsmanship that their legacy still endures in modern times.
4) Sewer Systems
Cc: Science
The Romans recognized the importance of proper sanitation and created sophisticated sewer systems to remove waste from their cities. Unlike modern piping systems, their sewer systems used clay, concrete, and other materials to construct a complex network of underground channels.
The sewer system was typically covered with a vaulted ceiling to prevent waste from spilling onto the streets above. This innovative system helped to prevent the spread of disease and contributed to the overall health and well-being of the Roman people.
Today, modern sewer systems still rely on the principles established by the Romans, and their legacy can be seen in the way we manage waste and sanitation in our own communities.
3) Aqueducts
The Romans understood that water is the origin of life, and they were knowledgeable in ensuring universal access to it. They constructed intricate waterways and aqueducts that transported water to numerous cities and towns.
What’s even more remarkable is that these aqueducts relied on the force of gravity to transport the water from one location to another. Despite enduring the ravages of time, these waterways are still functional and utilized today. The principle of gravity-driven water transport has been incorporated into contemporary water systems.
2) Roads
Cc: Geotech Rijeka
The Romans constructed an expansive network of roads throughout their empire, a feat for which they are also renowned. These roads were constructed using a range of materials, including concrete, and were engineered to be robust and enduring. Additionally, the Romans pioneered the concept of a roadbed, a foundation of crushed rock or gravel that bolsters the road surface.
1) Concrete
Cc: ASME
The Romans introduced the widespread use of concrete, a blend of water, cement, and aggregate that gradually hardens. Their use of this material transformed the field of construction and paved the way for a fresh approach to building and design.
Today, we see the enduring legacy of Roman concrete all around us, from the foundation of buildings to the sidewalks we walk on. Concrete has become a ubiquitous material, with a lasting impact on construction and infrastructure.
