Jenna Shealy

Ms. Turner
Western Civ
10 December 2012
Why Were All Romans
The Romans have made many contributions to the world of today. Many of the modern
ideas for religion, government, cultures and politics originated from the Roman Empire. Rome
has left a mammoth mark on the western world as it is known today.
One major contribution from the Romans to the western world was Christianity. Although
it was not in Romes intentions, having a unified government allowed for the passing of
information easier and quicker. This assisted in the spread of Christianity throughout the western
world. Christianity, having a personal relationship with one God who offered an everlasting life
after death, was more appealing to the people than the cold religions of Rome. This
unintentional incredible contribution forever changed the history of the world.
Another major contribution from the Roman Empire is the democratic form of
government. The Romans developed a government where Senators represented groups of
people. This allowed them to govern the masses. Within this system they had a system of checks
and balances preventing a certain person or group from having too much power. Even though
this form of government did not last for the Romans, it did leave a blueprint for future countries
to follow. The United States is one example of this, using representation for governing with a
system of checks and balances and preventing one branch of government from having too much
power.
The Roman military conquered lands for the Empire causing Rome to have many cultures
and customs. Romes great size and organized government lead to the sharing of ideas,
spreading the Roman influence throughout the western world. Many different groups of people
came under the influence of the Roman Empire and these ideas were passed from generation to
generation and continent to continent.
Rome is one of the most important contributors, if not the greatest contributor, to the
world of today. Representation form of government with checks and balances, the census,
architecture, art and the calendar, are just a few things in the world of today that originated with
the Roman Empire. Their help with the spreading of Christianity throughout the world changed
it forever. The Roman influence is everywhere in the world of today, hence, we are all Romans.