Just the Facts: Ancient Rome

Product Description

For centuries, Italy was the center of civilization, with its capital in Rome, “the Eternal City”. The Romans created the largest empire the ancient world ever saw. Its influence extended outward and in time encompassed almost the entire then-known world. This great empire lasted more than 1,000 years. When it finally fell, modern nations like England, France, Spain, Germany, and Italy grew out of the remnants and kept alive many of Rome’s achievements. Even today, ruins of aqueducts, roads, temples, baths and theaters still exist all over Europe; from Turkey to Spain and Northern Africa to Scotland.

The Romans left a great legacy of art, literature and traditions which influence us today. All the romance languages, including English, use Latin as a basis. Roman engineering, bridges, city infrastructures, sewage and irrigation systems were amazingly advanced, and laid the groundwork for future civilizations. Roman law was used as a framework for our modern legal system; in fact, many Latin terms are still used in America’s courtrooms. The story of Ancient Rome is filled with drama and very important lessons can be learned from both the achievements and mistakes of the Eternal City. In this DVD, video footage gathered in Rome and at sites of Ancient Roman ruins around Europe shows the glory and grandeur that was Rome. Scholars of the classical world from Oxford University, The University of Michigan and UCLA help tell the story