Scientific achievements of Ancient Rome

пятница, 6 марта 2015 г.

Fundamentals of Roman culture and worldviews

Neglect of art and science does not mean that Roman remained half-educated. Not only the Greek was taught in enlightened homes, but also the correct and elegant Latin.

Already in the Republican period Rome had its original art, philosophy, science, formed its method of creation. Its main feature is the psychological realism and authentic Roman individualism.

Greeks saw the world through a comprehensive model of a harmonious world, through the majestic and heroic mythological system, which gave it a completeness. For the Romans world was extremely simplified, myth has ceased to be ideology and turned into a fairy tale. Consequently, the phenomena was perceived more clearly, it became easier to learn them, but one thing was lost irreplaceably - sense of wholeness of being disappeared. That is why the Romans could not approach the Greek ideal: natural model of the world, which was the main mystery of the ancient Greek greatness, was lost.

четверг, 5 марта 2015 г.

Roman science and philosophy

Roman science has not reached the scope of the Greek, because it was depending on the specific needs of the growing Roman Empire. Mathematics, geography, natural history and other sciences had narrow applied character among the Romans. Noticeable trace in science left Menelaus of Alexandria (spherical geometry and trigonometry), Ptolemy's geocentric model of the world, works on optics, astronomy (the catalog of more than 1600 stars), experiments on animals in physiology. Physician Galen came very close to discovery of importance of nerves for motor reflexes and blood circulation. Construction machinery was developed, which allowed to create Flavian Coliseum, 1.5-kilometer bridge over the Danube under Trajan, and so on. Mechanics were improved, hoisting machines came to be used. According to Seneca, "despicable slaves" each time invented something new: pipes, which steamed heat to the premises, special technic of polishing of marble, mirror tiles to reflect sunlight. Mosaic art was spread: even in the homes of the Rhine glass was inserted in windows. Both Menelaus of Alexandria and Ptolemy were Greek scientists working in Rome.

Claudius Ptolemy

Astrology, which occupied the major astronomers, had a great popularity. Basically, the Roman scientists studied and commented Greeks. A special place in the culture of the ancient Romans had philosophy and jurisprudence. In ancient Roman philosophy eclectically combined the principles of various teachings of the Greek philosophers, especially of the Hellenistic period. Philosophers have adopted their scientific apparatus, terminology, the most important directions.

The representative of the stoicism Seneca saw the meaning of life to achieve absolute peace of mind, overcoming the fear of death. A large part of efforts, according to Seneca, a man shall devote to his own improvement.

Seneca

Epicureanism was the only materialist philosophy in ancient Rome. Its most striking representative - Titus Lucretius Carus - was known for his philosophical poem "On the Nature of Things."

Titus Lucretius Carus

The passion of skepticism was also the characteristic of the Roman mentality. Founder of skepticism, Sextus Empiricus, built his teaching on the critical reassessment of current knowledge. The edge of skepticism was directed against the concepts of philosophy, mathematics, rhetoric, astronomy, and grammar. Skepticism has become the specific expression of progressing crisis of Roman society.

Cynics were also close to the stoic ideals of renunciation of material goods and life in harmony with nature, they referred to urban lower ranks in a language they understood. The pattern of development of Roman philosophy doesn't confine on Stoics and Cynics activity. Philosophical moralistic treatises of Plutarch were also popular. His works have plenty of vivid language, common sense, love of life, and tolerance.

The golden age of the Roman science was not much in multiplication of knowledge, as in encyclopedism, the desire to learn and systematically present the achievements already accumulated. Greek theories were taken for granted, without discussion. At the same time, a keen interest in the scientific, rational knowledge of nature was maintained, there emerged a whole galaxy of outstanding creative minds, great scientists.

среда, 4 марта 2015 г.

Roman Law

The most important cultural innovations of Roman antiquity are associated with the development of policy and law. Ancient Rome is the birthplace of jurisprudence.

If in the small Greek city-states with their diverse and frequently changing forms of government many questions could be solved on the basis of the direct expression of the will of the ruling elite or the general assembly of citizens, control of the vast Roman Empire was carried out by public authorities, well-organized administrative structure, legal laws regulating civil relations, justice and so on. The first legal document was the Law of Twelve Tables, which regulated criminal, financial and trade relations. Constant expansion of the territory leads to other documents: private law for the Latins and public law regulating the relations between the Latins and people living in the provinces.

Scaevola, Papiniana, and Ulpian are the most distinguished Roman lawyers. The original contribution was made to the right by eminent jurist Salvius Julian of Adrian era, who reviewed all existing praetor edicts (Pretoria exercised the supreme judicial authority), selected everything corresponding to the new conditions of life, brought them into the system, and then turned them into a single Pretoria edict. Thus, the whole valuable experience of previous court decisions was considered. There were other schools of lawyers, competing with each other.

The Roman historian Polybius already in II BC saw a guarantee of state's power in perfection of political and legal system. Roman lawyers indeed laid the foundations of legal culture. Roman law is still the basis, which supports the modern legal system. However, clearly provided by law relationships, authority in charge of numerous bureaucracies and officials - the Senate, magistrates, consuls, prefects, procurators, censors, and others - did not eliminate the tension of the political struggle in society. Nobility connects the general public to its struggle for a place in government trying to get support from them. Slogans and appeals of various parties and groups on the general background of patriotic glorification, which worshiped the Roman Empire and the Emperor, shaped public consciousness of citizens. Literature and art are put in the service of political and ideological goals, and even urban development and architecture. Although artistic creation was actually far from being fully subordinate to these goals, they had still a very significant effect on the character of art and whole cultural life of the Roman society. From this follows one of the main features of Roman culture - politicization.

Enthusiasm for politics and jurisprudence has led to a high level of oratory (Gaius Gracchus, Cicero, Julius Caesar) and logic. Speaking, writings, philosophical essays, treatises on oratory of Cicero had a great influence on his contemporaries. The most profound impression made his speech at the trial in the Senate. Eloquence was the main means of social struggle. Rhetoric has had a great influence on philosophy and literature. Art of eloquence was taught in public schools, where teachers received a salary from the state. The most famous rhetorician was Marcus Fabius Quintilianus, who wrote a great treatise "Institutes of Oratory" in 12 books.

вторник, 3 марта 2015 г.

Roman Historiography

Ennius (II century BC) is considered to be the founder of the Roman historiography considered Ennius. Roman historiography reached its highest flourishing during the Imperial period. Livy, who wrote the "History of Rome", was the most brilliant historian. The most renowned representatives of the Greek intellectuals who wrote in Latin were Dionysius of Halicarnassus, who wrote the book "Roman Antiquities" and claimed the kinship of the Romans and Greeks, and Plutarch, the author of the famous "Parallel Lives".

Quintus Ennius

Historiography was developed in a fairly difficult conditions. The great Roman historian Tacitus in his works "Histories" and "Annals" shows the tragedy of society, held in the incompatibility of imperial power and freedom of citizens, the princeps and the Senate. Skillful dramatization of events, subtle psychology, and accuracy of judgment made Tacitus perhaps one of the best Roman historians.