Romans made their statues out of marble, fashioning monuments to great human achievements and achievers. Sculptural art of the period has proven to be fairly durable, too. So today, scientists study Roman concrete, hoping to match the success of the ancient master builders. To make a concrete this durable, modern builders must reinforce it with steel. Seawater reacting with the volcanic ash created crystals that filled in the cracks in the concrete. Roman underwater structures proved to be even sturdier. Modern scientists believe that the use of this ash is the reason that structures like the Colosseum still stand today. The arches of the Colosseum are made out of cement, a remarkably strong building material the Romans made with what they had at hand: volcanic ash and volcanic rock. The sports stadiums we see today, with their oval shapes and tiered seating, derive from the basic idea the Romans developed. The game-loving ancients also built large amphitheaters, including the Colosseum. These arches served as the foundation for the massive bridges and aqueducts the Romans created. Ancient Romans created curved roofs and large-scale arches, which were able to support more weight than the post-and-beam construction the Greeks used. For example, they continued the use of columns, but the form became more decorative and less structural in Roman buildings. We can find traces of Roman influence in forms and structures throughout the development of Western culture.Īlthough the Romans were heavily influenced by ancient Greece, they were able to make improvements to certain borrowed Greek designs and inventions. From bridges and stadiums to books and the words we hear every day, the ancient Romans have left their mark on our world.Īncient Romans have had a tremendous impact on art and architecture. Though it has been thousands of years since the Roman Empire flourished, we can still see evidence of it in our art, architecture, technology, literature, language, and law.

Ancient Rome had a large influence on the modern world.

What are the legacies of ancient egypt