Origins-Civilization

Running Head : Roman Civilization

The Roman Civilization

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Abstract

The Roman civilization was one of the greatest civilizations in world history . It spanned almost a thousand years and stretched from Europe to Africa . Although the Roman civilization is already long extinct , its legacy is still an important part of today 's social institutions such as government and religion

The Roman Civilization

The Roman civilization is one of the most powerful and influential civilizations in history . It was well-known for its political

, economic cultural and technological advancements that allowed it to expand from Europe to Africa (MSN Encarta , 2007 . So consequential is the Roman civilization that most of its practices are still in use today

Ancient Rome

The Roman civilization was believed to have started almost 3 ,000 years ago on the hills beside the Tiber River in central Italy (MSN Encarta 2007 . What began as an encampment of shepherds ' huts later evolved into the city of Rome (MSN Encarta , 2007 . It is sometimes claimed that the land and environment of Italy proved to be condusive for the growth of Roman civilization (MSN Encarta , 2007

Being a peninsula , Italy is separated from the rest of Europe by sea on the east , west and south and the Alps mountain range on the north (MSN Encarta , 2007 . The country in general enjoys a temperate climate , with hot summers in the south (MSN Encarta , 2007 . Italy 's western coast and offshore islands have several volcanoes such as Mount Etna and Mount Vesuvius , resulting in fertile land in some parts of Latium , Campania and Sicily (MSN Encarta , 2007

Italy 's timber-rich mountains had vast meadows where sheep and goats grazed during the summer (MSN Encarta , 2007 . The Tiber River was abundant in salt and Etruria had large iron deposits (MSN Encarta 2007 . North-south land routes boosted the Roman economy by improving commerce , agriculture , pasturage and metalwork (MSN Encarta , 2007

Romulus and Remus - The Founders of Rome

According to Roman myth , twin brothers Romulus and Remus founded Rome in 753 BC (MSN Encarta , 2007 . They were the grandsons of King Numitor the ruler of the ancient city of Alba Longa in Latium (MSN Encarta 2007 . But Numitor 's brother seized the throne and also tried to kill the twins by having them thrown into the Tiber (MSN Encarta , 2007 . The twins miraculously survived - they were washed ashore and were nursed by a she-wolf (MSN Encarta , 2007

Upon reaching adulthood , Romulus and Remus brought Numitor back to his throne and formed a new city located on top of Palatine Hill (MSN Encarta , 2007 . Romulus had this new city surrounded with a wall , which Remus scornfully jumped over in an attempt to assert his leadership (MSN Encarta , 2007 . Romulus killed him as a result , later becoming the city 's first king and naming it after him (MSN Encarta , 2007

Life in Ancient Rome

Ancient Roman society was religious and family-oriented (MSN Encarta 2007 . Family and religion not only influenced personal and social relations...