What Inventions Did Ancient Rome Make?

Ancient Rome gave the modern world many inventions or improvements upon the works of earlier peoples and cultures. The time of the Roman Empire stretches over 1,000 years and included a multi-cultural society that meant the constant influx of new ideas. Leisure and wealth were available to more people than ever before, meaning that ideas, inventions and innovations were easier to bring to fruition.

Technology

Advanced roads and road networks were first developed in ancient Rome. Even today, the standard width of roads continues to be modeled upon those set in Rome. Triumphal arches, aqueducts and water pumps were invented during this era or were greatly improved upon. Cement that would cure more quickly was created when the ancient Romans realized that adding pozzolanic earth made it waterproof and solid. The first use of reinforced concrete also likely occurred during this time, when builders added metal bars into the concrete to give it added strength.

Medicine

The ancient Romans took the surgical tools of the Greeks and improved upon them. Cesarean sections were first performed and were often used to save the baby when the mother died in childbirth. The ancient Romans also developed public health programs and welfare programs for the poor. The Romans connected the malaria disease to mosquitoes and drained swamps to rid areas of the disease-carrying insects. Sewers were also created in Roman cities because of the connection the ancient Romans made between sanitation and health.

Government

Roman law continues to be the basis of many legal systems. The Romans advanced concepts of marital and divorce laws and incorporated a sophisticated legislative system. The Romans also created what was likely the world's first postal system. Street lighting was incorporated toward the end of the Roman empire. Public toilets were also made available to the citizens, and a tax was charged to use them. The concept of "innocent until proven guilty" comes to us from the ancient Romans' Twelve Tables. Organized propaganda campaigns were also likely first conducted in the empire.

Language

The ancient Romans' language, Latin, is at the root of many modern languages, including English, French and Spanish. Romans introduced the genre known as Satire. Symbols such as the ampersand and abbreviations such as etc. were first used. Several words still in modern use come to us from ancient Rome. These include republic, president, legal and judicial. The first newspaper, known as Acta Diurna, was published each day to inform Roman citizens about the activities of the Senate.

Culture

The calendar as we know it in modern times was created by the ancient Romans, and the names by which we call the months of the year and the days of the week also began during this era. Many of the holidays still celebrated have roots in festivals and events first marked by the ancient Romans. A variety of trumpets were invented during this era and were put to use in military parades. And, still in practice today, the ancient Romans had unruly fans that filled the stadiums during Gladiatorial games and chariot races.

References

• Ancient Roman Inventions
• Roman Achievements
• Ancient Roman Inventions