Research Notes on Ancient Rome
I. Introduction
● Overview: Ancient Rome (753 BCE to 476 CE) was a civilization that evolved from a
small city-state to a vast empire, influencing law, governance, engineering, and culture.
● Importance of Research: Understanding Ancient Rome helps contextualize modern
legal systems, political structures, and architectural innovations.
● Research Question: How did Ancient Rome shape the foundations of modern Western
civilization?
II. Background Information
● Historical Context:
○ Founding of Rome and the establishment of the Roman Kingdom, Republic
(509-27 BCE), and Empire (27 BCE-476 CE).
○ Key events: The Punic Wars, Julius Caesar’s rise and assassination, the
establishment of the Pax Romana.
● Key Terms:
○ Republic: A system of government where officials are elected.
○ Senate: The governing body of Rome, influential in politics and law.
○ Pax Romana: A 200-year period of peace and stability across the empire.
III. Current Trends and Developments
● Recent Studies: Archaeological excavations in Pompeii and Herculaneum provide
insights into daily life and urban planning in Roman society.
● Notable Figures:
○ Julius Caesar: General and statesman; his assassination led to the end of the
Republic.
○ Augustus: First emperor, credited with establishing the Pax Romana and
reforming the political structure.
○ Cicero: Philosopher and politician; influential in developing Roman rhetoric and
legal theory.
● Innovations: Advances in architecture (arches, aqueducts), law (twelve tables), and
military organization (legions).
IV. Methodology
● Types of Research:
○ Archaeological: Excavations of sites like the Roman Forum and Colosseum to
uncover artifacts and structures.
○ Literary Analysis: Examination of texts by Livy, Tacitus, and Virgil to understand
political and cultural narratives.
● Data Sources: Historical texts, archaeological findings, and academic articles.
● Analysis Techniques: Comparative analysis of texts and artifacts to interpret Roman
society and governance.
V. Key Findings
● Political Systems:
○ Transition from Republic to Empire; implications for modern governance and the
concept of citizenship.
○ Development of legal frameworks that influenced modern law (e.g., concepts of
justice and rights).
● Cultural Contributions:
○ Roman literature, philosophy, and art, including epic poetry (Virgil’s Aeneid) and
sculpture.
● Engineering and Architecture:
○ Innovations in infrastructure, including roads, aqueducts, and monumental
buildings (e.g., the Colosseum and Pantheon).
VI. Implications and Applications
● Real-world Applications
