I have never been to Rome. It must be strange for you, reading this statement of the author of an essay about Roman influence in Britain. But it’s true. And I have to face that fact even more often and be ashamed of what consequences it implies since I have come to Britain, and especially since I have come to Bath. Bath, the Roman City. Bath, the Roman Baths. Bath and the Romans. I feel like I have come to little Rome since I come here, really. It is everywhere and overwhelming, the still palpable presence of Roman life and culture today. I am very aware of the fact that the Roman Empire influenced not only Britain, but entire Europe. But the Romans never got so far as to conquer Berlin, so I never really got in touch with such an astounding presence still today. But the Romans did not have to really set a foot in a territory to make people feel their influence, even hundreds of years after the breakdown of the Roman Empire. Their influence is noticeable in almost every branch of human life, still today.
Table of Contents
- The legacy of the Romans for Britain
- All roads lead to Rome
- All roads lead to Rome
- All roads lead to Rome
- All roads lead to Rome
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay examines the enduring legacy of the Roman Empire on Britain. The author explores how Roman influence can still be felt in various aspects of British life, even centuries after the empire's decline.
- The influence of Roman infrastructure on British society
- The role of Latin as a lingua franca and its impact on English
- The development of British identity under Roman rule
- The spread of Roman ideas, including concepts of democracy and citizenship
- The lasting impact of Roman culture on British society
Chapter Summaries
The essay begins with a personal reflection on the author's experience in Bath, a city deeply marked by its Roman past. The author then explores the significance of Roman roads in facilitating communication and control within the empire, drawing a connection between the saying "All roads lead to Rome" and the practical reality of Roman governance.
The essay further examines the role of Latin as a lingua franca and its impact on various European languages, including English. The author discusses how Latin became the language of administration, poetry, philosophy, and conquest, leaving a lasting imprint on the languages spoken across the Roman Empire.
The author also considers the impact of Roman rule on the development of a British national identity. The author highlights how the Roman occupation brought a sense of unity and order to a previously fragmented Britain, fostering a shared identity among the Britons.
Finally, the essay explores the transmission of Roman ideas, such as democracy and citizenship, to Britain. The author acknowledges the limitations of Roman democracy, particularly its exclusion of women and non-wealthy men, but also emphasizes the Roman system's willingness to grant citizenship to those who swore loyalty to Rome.
Keywords
The key terms and concepts explored in this essay include Roman influence, Roman infrastructure, Latin language, British identity, democracy, citizenship, and cultural legacy. The author examines how these elements have shaped and continue to shape the British experience.
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- Katja Buthut (Autor), 2006, The legacy of the Romans for Britain, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/134720
