Essay On Ancient Rome Impact On Modern America

If not for Ancient Rome, Modern America would not be what it is today. Ancient Rome played an integral role in shaping the current world, inspiring centuries of development and ideas. The everyday lives of American citizens are persistently affected by Ancient Rome, centuries after the empire fell. Out of the many contributions Ancient Rome produced, the Latin language, the Twelve Tables, and Roman Christianity have had the most significant impact on modern American culture.

To begin with, the Ancient Roman language, Latin, is found throughout the modern English language. Latin's influence on English began in the sixth century when numerous Latin terms were incorporated into Anglo-Saxon. Towards the end of the sixth century, the spread of Christianity integrated

Around 450 B.C.E., Rome’s first set of written laws was composed. Ten men were chosen to produce a set of twelve laws, two of which were added a year after the original ten were written. Referred to as the Twelve Tables, these laws were displayed in the Forum and introduced written law to the Roman empire. Invading Gauls destroyed the Twelve Tables in 390 B.C.E. however they continued to impact Roman law. The Twelve Tables prevailed for centuries and are still relevant in the modern world, especially in America. The U.S. government is incredibly similar to the Twelve Tables. For instance, Ancient Rome and the U.S. share “the beliefs that no man could be accused anonymously and that he was innocent until proven guilty” (Rome DBQ, Doc 3). To add on, Ancient Rome and the U.S. are alike in the sense that all citizens are protected by the law. Table one of the Twelve Tables implemented the idea that everyone is treated equally under the law, a sentiment that is also expressed in the fourteenth amendment of the United States Constitution. It becomes clear how great of an influence the Twelve Tables had on the U.S. government and