Rome continuation of Greek civ essays

Rome continuation of Greek civ essays To what extent was Rome simply a continuation of Greek civilization? To what extent did Rome innovate in Mediterranean civilization? The classical civilization of Greece contributed in the rise of the second largest Mediterranean city: Rome. The role of the past Greek civilization influenced Rome greatly, providing a knowingly functional set of essential and core ideas which could be expanded and built on by the Romans. Such essential and core ideas between Greece and Rome remained the same throughout Romes expansion; ideas, simultaneously, stemmed from familiarities, while expanding and focusing on completely different aspects. Art and philosophy of the Greeks serve as and represent its most lasting classical civilization attribute. Later Romans derived much from Greek art and philosophy, while keeping and modifying particular aspects. Greek and Roman religion-with similarity of gods, differing mainly in their names-contributed to artistic disputes within Roman upper-class life concerning Roman values. Authors and sculptors of Rome often times copied Greek work by modifying characters in stories and heroic statues. Science also expanded with few Roman additions, differing greatly from the additions of their architectual advances leading to powerful and detailed structures such as public baths, large stadiums and water aqueducts. Differences in Greek emphasis of science and philosophy and Roman emphasis of engineering and law led to the formation of Romes principles of politics. Laws were generally based on common sense and protection of the family and private property. This law expanded as the Romans did, demanding compliance and citizenship (idea Greeks opposed) among conquered groups allowing them to be preserved(p159), ultimately contributing to the greater preservation of Greco-Roman beliefs. Social structures of Greece influenced Romans. Aristocrats, merchants, peasants, and proper...