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How Did Ancient Rome Influence the Foundations of America?

Ancient Rome was one of the most significant civilizations in human history, and its impact on the modern world is undeniable. The United States of America, in particular, has a rich history closely intertwined with that of ancient Rome. This article will explore how ancient Rome influenced the foundations of America.

Republicanism and Democracy

An address given in an Ancient Rome cabinet.
Image by: Students of History

The Roman concept of republicanism has highly influenced the American systems of government — a government in which citizens have a voice in the decision-making process. Famous historian Gordon S. Wood writes, “The Roman Republic was the model of a virtuous republic in which citizens acted for the common good, and it was the model that American patriots looked to as they established their republic.”  

The Roman’s emphasis on civic duty was incorporated into American political thought. Figures such as Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin emphasized that the citizens participating in the political process are a fundamental tenet of both republicanism and democracy.

Law and Justice

Image showing the law of the twelve tables.
Image by: Britannica

Many aspects of Roman law, such as the right to a fair trial and the presumption of innocence, are deeply ingrained in American legal culture. As historian David Brion Davis writes, “The Roman conception of the rule of law, in which even the most powerful individuals were subject to the law, was a key influence on the American legal system.” 

The use of Latin legal terms, such as habeas corpus and pro bono, is also a testament to the influence of Roman law on the American legal system.

Symbols and Institutions

A typical bald eagle in US.
Image by: National Park Service

The United States Supreme Court was modeled after the Roman Republic’s system of magistrates. Justices of the Supreme Court are appointed for life, similar to Roman magistrates’ appointments.

Literature and Language

Art depicting Virgil reading the Aeneid.
Image by: Wikipedia

Latin, the official language of the Roman Empire, has significantly influenced the English language. Many Latin words and expressions are frequently used, especially in law, science, and health. For example, the term “quid pro quo” is commonly used in legal contexts to represent an exchange of goods or services for something else, and the phrase “et cetera” is frequently used in everyday speech to denote “and so on.”

American writers have long studied and admired the writings of Roman authors like Virgil, Ovid, Horace, and Cicero. Walt Whiteman and Herman Melville’s poetic themes of national identity and sacrifice resonate with Virgil’s Aeneid.

Architecture and Design

Image of the Colosseum in Rome.
Image by: Wikipedia

Ancient Rome had a significant impact on the architecture and design of America, particularly during the Neoclassical period of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. This style of architecture was characterized by its use of classical motifs and proportions, drawing heavily on the architectural styles of ancient Greece and Rome.

Image by: Wikipedia

The United States Capitol building, completed in 1800, was designed to resemble a Roman temple. Its dome, the most iconic feature of the building, is modeled after the Pantheon in Rome. 

The Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.
Image by: PBS

The Lincoln Memorial, built in 1922, is also based on the architecture of ancient Rome. It features 36 Doric columns commonly used in ancient Greek and Roman architecture. 

Other than that, the White House, Central Park, Boston Public Garden, Supreme Court Building, and Jefferson Memorial also reflect Roman architecture.

Education

Stone carving of education in Ancient Rome.
Image by: History Learning

Roman education inspired American educational reformer Horace Mann, who advocated for establishing a public education system that would offer a fundamental education to all kids, regardless of their social status or upbringing.

During the colonial era, the United States adopted the Roman classical educational system, which remained a pillar of American education until the early 20th century.

A building of the Harvard University.
Image by: Harvard Official

Harvard University, founded in 1636, was deeply influenced by the classical education system of the Romans. Princeton, Columbia, and the University of Virginia were also modeled after the ancient Roman education system. 

Conclusion

Despite the many differences between the cultures of ancient Rome and contemporary America, it is evident that Rome’s influence is still felt in modern-day America. By studying the past and comprehending its impact on the current society, we can better appreciate the rich history and culture that have shaped the modern world.

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American History Blog Posts History History Adventures Old West

6 Shocking Things Considered Normal in the American Wild West

The American Wild West was a time of lawlessness and rugged individualism. The only goal of the Westerners was survival! The frontier’s unique challenges and dangers shaped the period’s cultural norms. You’d be amazed to know that many practices considered normal at the time would be shocking today.

From public executions to photographing dead bodies, the Wild West was where the harsh realities of life on the frontier defined societal norms. This article will explore some of the most shocking things considered normal in the American Wild West.

Photographing the Dead Bodies

Charley Pierce, a famous American outlaw. Image by:  Pinterest

Reassuring the public of an outlaw’s death was so tricky in the Wild West that it became customary to photograph the body. When an outlaw died or was killed, they would be pictured standing against the wall before the body stiffened up. 

Only after this practice was the body buried. The images were also required as verification while receiving awards. When there was no photograph, there was no certainty that the outlaw was dead.

Traveling Corpse

Image by: Stillwater News Press

One of the Wild West’s most shocking and bizarre tales is that of Elmer McCurdy and his traveling corpse. Elmer McCurdy was a notorious outlaw whose life ended in 1911 after he was shot dead by law enforcement. 

However, his body was not buried. An undertaker preserved it, and the mummified body was put to display for about sixty years before a proper burial in Oklahoma. Bizarre, isn’t it?

Public Executions

Image by: eVanNicole / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Public executions were carried out to maintain law and discourage crime. Large audiences used to gather around to witness the executions. It was common for vendors to sell food and drinks to the spectators while they saw the executions. Talk about sinister theater, right?  

The legal system in the Wild West was frequently untested and prone to errors. Numerous public executions took place as a result of erroneous trials. At times, people were executed for crimes they did not commit, adding to the controversy surrounding public executions. Such executions were also racially biased. Minorities, especially African Americans, were punished more than whites, adding to the inequalities that existed in American society at that time. The practice, despite its cruelty, was widely accepted until abolished in the late 20th century.

Exploitative Prostitution 

mage by: Daily Mail

The rapid growth of towns and cities in the American Wild West brought a demand for prostitution. Poor women with limited work opportunities were forced into prostitution to survive. 

Many of these women were immigrants or members of minorities, making them especially vulnerable to exploitation. They were frequently exposed to severe working circumstances, including long hours, little pay, and physical assault. 

Prostitutes were also in considerable danger of developing sexually transmitted diseases and being assaulted by customers or pimps.

Additionally, local newspapers of that time would identify and mention prostitutes as a symbol of disgrace. There was a conflicting attitude towards prostitutes in the west. They were both desired for their sexual services (joy) and reviled for their perceived moral corruption (misery), as narrated in Anne Butler’s book “Daughters of Joy, Sisters of Misery.”

Significant Violence and Lawlessness

Image by: ArtStation

The American Wild West was a time of widespread bloodshed and anarchy. The lack of robust law enforcement created a dangerous atmosphere in the state where violence was a constant concern.

There were numerous sources of violence, including confrontations between settlers and Native American tribes or disagreements over land and resources. It was common for people in the wild west to carry firearms in public. It was considered a sign of bravery and toughness, widely accepted and encouraged.

Duels, brawls, and other forms of violence were common, and it was often necessary to defend oneself.

The Short-Lived Camel Craze of the American Frontier

Camels were brought to the Wild West by the US Army as an experiment to see if they could be used as pack animals in the desert terrain of the Southwest. The experiment began in the mid-1850s and lasted until the early 1860s.

According to David Roberts, author of “The Last Camel Charge: The Untold Story of America’s Desert Military Experiment,” the US Army imported 75 camels from the Middle East to Texas in 1856, and by 1860, there were 34 camels stationed at Camp Verde in the Texas Hill Country.

However, camels were not well-liked by soldiers and civilians alike, as they were seen as stubborn and difficult to handle. In addition, their strange appearance and unpleasant smell made them unpopular.

The use of camels in the Wild West was short-lived, as the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 diverted the attention and resources of the US Army. Many of the camels were sold off, and others were simply released into the wild.

Final Word

In conclusion, the American Wild West was a time of great danger and lawlessness. It is marked by unique cultural norms and practices that often shock modern standards. From public executions and widespread use of violence to the treatment of women, the Wild West was far from the romanticized version often portrayed in popular culture.