THE ROMAN EMPIRE AND ITS HEIRS
KEY X.T. MORROW
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
Rome, one of the most fruitful and prosperous empires in history, did not become such a great power for such a great amount of time by mere accident. It is seemingly astounding that an empire that lasted for so long had so many changes in power and structure, which further provides evidence that Rome was such a great empire to emulate, because despite all the violence and disagreement over power, the empire remained largely intact throughout time. Rome utilized political and military organization that was never previously implemented, in addition to showing that a republic and an empire can coexist. But above all else, they instilled the idea of being a …show more content…
He took the idea of an empire run on laws and adapted it, improving it even, some would say. Justinian essentially took the Romans laws and had them published in writing, giving subjects of the empire a right to a fair trial before a judge. Much like most situations, religion got a firm place in future empires as a result of Rome switching from essentially infinite gods to the concept of monotheism via Christianity. In all actuality the Byzantine Empire and the Holy Roman Empire both were monotheistic, and both were devoted to the Christian cause. The Byzantine Empire under rule of Justinian, who as previously stated transcribed laws based on Roman laws, was influenced by Christianity in the formation of said laws. Also much like early Rome, the Byzantine Empire had some leniency in regards to religion, however not as much as Rome’s free-for-all polytheistic society. They did not tolerate polytheism well at all, although they did seem to be more partial to the monotheistic Jews and even at times Muslims. Fractionation within Christianity was also very much disdained. The Holy Roman Empire, and more notably the ruler Charlemagne, took perhaps the most impressive part of Rome and replicated it: the …show more content…
Charlemagne’s army was devastating and conquered many territories, even incorporating rather sizable kingdoms into their empire through his conquests. Also within this empire we have the recurring theme of monotheism, more specifically Christianity once again. Charlemagne actually was crowned Emperor by Pope Leo III, giving further evidence of just how large a role religion plays in general, and how Christianity truly got some major roots and spread as a result of the original Roman Empire. Rome did more than shape the landscape of empires that derived from itself, no matter how subtle. The workings of Rome and its people enjoyed countless architectural innovations, such as the arches and aqueducts, among many other things. Rome was the first known organization of any kind to have a senate, a concept that survived among other empires and even to our most modern of empires such as our own United States senate. The most impressive aspect of the Roman Empire may in fact be the senate, as it lasted throughout all rulers, all expansions and retractions, and every other event in the history of Rome. In fact, even after most consider Rome to have “fallen”, a senate continued to exist in Byzantium. This is a true test of time that was clearly passed by the idea of a
KEY X.T. MORROW
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
Rome, one of the most fruitful and prosperous empires in history, did not become such a great power for such a great amount of time by mere accident. It is seemingly astounding that an empire that lasted for so long had so many changes in power and structure, which further provides evidence that Rome was such a great empire to emulate, because despite all the violence and disagreement over power, the empire remained largely intact throughout time. Rome utilized political and military organization that was never previously implemented, in addition to showing that a republic and an empire can coexist. But above all else, they instilled the idea of being a …show more content…
He took the idea of an empire run on laws and adapted it, improving it even, some would say. Justinian essentially took the Romans laws and had them published in writing, giving subjects of the empire a right to a fair trial before a judge. Much like most situations, religion got a firm place in future empires as a result of Rome switching from essentially infinite gods to the concept of monotheism via Christianity. In all actuality the Byzantine Empire and the Holy Roman Empire both were monotheistic, and both were devoted to the Christian cause. The Byzantine Empire under rule of Justinian, who as previously stated transcribed laws based on Roman laws, was influenced by Christianity in the formation of said laws. Also much like early Rome, the Byzantine Empire had some leniency in regards to religion, however not as much as Rome’s free-for-all polytheistic society. They did not tolerate polytheism well at all, although they did seem to be more partial to the monotheistic Jews and even at times Muslims. Fractionation within Christianity was also very much disdained. The Holy Roman Empire, and more notably the ruler Charlemagne, took perhaps the most impressive part of Rome and replicated it: the …show more content…
Charlemagne’s army was devastating and conquered many territories, even incorporating rather sizable kingdoms into their empire through his conquests. Also within this empire we have the recurring theme of monotheism, more specifically Christianity once again. Charlemagne actually was crowned Emperor by Pope Leo III, giving further evidence of just how large a role religion plays in general, and how Christianity truly got some major roots and spread as a result of the original Roman Empire. Rome did more than shape the landscape of empires that derived from itself, no matter how subtle. The workings of Rome and its people enjoyed countless architectural innovations, such as the arches and aqueducts, among many other things. Rome was the first known organization of any kind to have a senate, a concept that survived among other empires and even to our most modern of empires such as our own United States senate. The most impressive aspect of the Roman Empire may in fact be the senate, as it lasted throughout all rulers, all expansions and retractions, and every other event in the history of Rome. In fact, even after most consider Rome to have “fallen”, a senate continued to exist in Byzantium. This is a true test of time that was clearly passed by the idea of a