Roman Technology
The Romans invented allot of things, but people get confused on what they invented and what they just took from other cultures and improved. The Greek gods are a perfect example. When the ancient Romans heard the stories of the ancient Greek gods. They renamed the Greek gods, except for Apollo, kept the myths the same, and used them all. And that’s how the Greek gods became the Roman gods.
Even though the Romans left lots of written records, it's hard to know what they actually invented, since the ancient Romans claimed they invented just about everything. However, here is a list of achievements and inventions that most “scholars” agree were invented by the ancient Romans, many of which influence our life today.
Technology: The ancient Romans were great builders. The ancient Romans built things to last. Their advances in technology include the actual invention of concrete, roman roads, roman arches, and aqueducts.
Medicine: Huge public health programs including welfare programs for the poor, which is still used today.
Language: Roman language (Latin), the root of all the romance languages including English, French, and Spanish.
Clothing: Socks first called “soccus” worn by both women and men. Shoes, all kinds of shoes, including the hobnailed shoe that made such a terrifying sound when worn by the common soldier, along with shoe construction that adjusted for left foot, right foot variance in shape, which made wearing any shoes a lot more comfortable.
Even though the Romans left lots of written records, it's hard to know what they actually invented, since the ancient Romans claimed they invented just about everything. However, here is a list of achievements and inventions that most “scholars” agree were invented by the ancient Romans, many of which influence our life today.
Technology: The ancient Romans were great builders. The ancient Romans built things to last. Their advances in technology include the actual invention of concrete, roman roads, roman arches, and aqueducts.
Medicine: Huge public health programs including welfare programs for the poor, which is still used today.
Language: Roman language (Latin), the root of all the romance languages including English, French, and Spanish.
Clothing: Socks first called “soccus” worn by both women and men. Shoes, all kinds of shoes, including the hobnailed shoe that made such a terrifying sound when worn by the common soldier, along with shoe construction that adjusted for left foot, right foot variance in shape, which made wearing any shoes a lot more comfortable.
Roman Architecture
Ancient Roman architecture adopted certain aspects of Ancient Greek architecture, creating a new architectural style. The Romans were in debt to their Etruscan neighbors who supplied them with knowledge essential for future architectural solutions, such as hydraulics and in the construction of arches. Later they absorbed Greek and Phoenician influence, apparent in many aspects closely related to architecture, for example, this can be seen in the introduction and use of the Triclinium in Roman villas as a place and manner of dining.
Aqueducts
"An aqueduct is a water supply or navigable channel constructed to convey water. In modern engineering, the term is used for any system of pipes, ditches, canals, tunnels, and other structures used for this purpose." Back in the days people didn't have pipes to carry precious water from water sources like lakes or flowing streams, instead they used aqueducts. These structures were mad just like any other temple they constructed, with huge marble pillers that were made to last, and they did, for hundreds of years. The "Pont du Gard"in France, a Roman aqueduct built circa 19 BC. Is one of France's top tourist attractions now and even a "World Heritage Site."
Arches
The Roman use of the arch and their improvements in the use of concrete and bricks facilitated the building of the many aqueducts throughout the empire, such as the Aqueduct of Segovia and the eleven aqueducts in Rome itself, such as Aqua Claudia and Anio Novus. The same idea produced numerous bridges, such as the still used bridge at Mérida.The dome permitted construction of vaulted ceilings and provided large covered public space such as the public baths and basilicas. The Romans based much of their architecture on the dome, such as Hadrian's Pantheon in the city of Rome, the Baths of Diocletian and the Baths of Caracalla.
How we use it today
Today, Roman influence can be seen among countless buildings such as banks, government buildings, houses, and business buildings. Roman culture is still used in modern building styles because of the structural mastering of the dome and the arch. When a building has substantial weight bearing down on lower levels, columns can easily support the weight when it is distributed through an arch, reducing the stress significantly. The arch, for this reason, is the most famous and most modernly used aspect of Roman architecture and can be seen nearly anywhere. The Dome is not used as frequently among modern buildings, but it is widely used to show prominence and elegance. In Washington, D.C., domes are a common theme among the government buildings, originally meant to imitate the grandeur of ancient Rome. Modern use of Ancient Roman Architecture is most commonly used as an allusion to Ancient Rome itself, people recall the Roman Empire as a colossal, dominant, and extremely influential nation.
Aqueducts
"An aqueduct is a water supply or navigable channel constructed to convey water. In modern engineering, the term is used for any system of pipes, ditches, canals, tunnels, and other structures used for this purpose." Back in the days people didn't have pipes to carry precious water from water sources like lakes or flowing streams, instead they used aqueducts. These structures were mad just like any other temple they constructed, with huge marble pillers that were made to last, and they did, for hundreds of years. The "Pont du Gard"in France, a Roman aqueduct built circa 19 BC. Is one of France's top tourist attractions now and even a "World Heritage Site."
Arches
The Roman use of the arch and their improvements in the use of concrete and bricks facilitated the building of the many aqueducts throughout the empire, such as the Aqueduct of Segovia and the eleven aqueducts in Rome itself, such as Aqua Claudia and Anio Novus. The same idea produced numerous bridges, such as the still used bridge at Mérida.The dome permitted construction of vaulted ceilings and provided large covered public space such as the public baths and basilicas. The Romans based much of their architecture on the dome, such as Hadrian's Pantheon in the city of Rome, the Baths of Diocletian and the Baths of Caracalla.
How we use it today
Today, Roman influence can be seen among countless buildings such as banks, government buildings, houses, and business buildings. Roman culture is still used in modern building styles because of the structural mastering of the dome and the arch. When a building has substantial weight bearing down on lower levels, columns can easily support the weight when it is distributed through an arch, reducing the stress significantly. The arch, for this reason, is the most famous and most modernly used aspect of Roman architecture and can be seen nearly anywhere. The Dome is not used as frequently among modern buildings, but it is widely used to show prominence and elegance. In Washington, D.C., domes are a common theme among the government buildings, originally meant to imitate the grandeur of ancient Rome. Modern use of Ancient Roman Architecture is most commonly used as an allusion to Ancient Rome itself, people recall the Roman Empire as a colossal, dominant, and extremely influential nation.