Sorrowful Ancient Rome - Searching for the Lost Civilization

Author: Su Mengwei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-01
Features: The Roman Empire was the latest empire to emerge in the Mediterranean region, yet it held a significant position in the development of European and world history. The ancient Roman Empire has always been shrouded in mystery. The architectural culture it left behind is a precious heritage of humanity. The Roman Empire's rule marked the final stage of the development of Roman slave-based economy and politics, as well as the final stage of slave-based economy and politics in the Mediterranean region. It can be said that the Roman slave-based economy, which developed on the foundation of slave-based economies in Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia, and Greece, became the highest form and final stage of slave-based economy in the Mediterranean region of the ancient world. Politically, Rome had kings, the Senate, and the Roman People's Assembly. After the establishment of the Roman Republic, the kings were replaced by consuls, while the other institutions remained. However, the ruling power was still in the hands of the Roman aristocracy, making the Roman Republic an undeniably aristocratic republic. The Roman Empire expanded its territory to an unprecedentedly vast size and, through a series of political measures, effectively incorporated vast regions under its rule, becoming the empire that ruled the Mediterranean region for the longest time. In 51 BC, Octavian's victory in the Battle of Actium not only marked the downfall of the Ptolemaic dynasty, which had ruled Egypt for 500 years, but also ultimately gave rise to the Roman Empire. During the reign of Trajan in the 2nd century AD, the Roman Empire reached its widest territorial extent, stretching north to Dacia beyond the Danube and the Rhine, west to the Atlantic and most of Britain, south to Egypt and North Africa, and east to Mesopotamia. The Mediterranean became an inland sea. Its territorial expanse was only comparable to the Chinese Han Empire, which was thousands of miles away. As the culmination of ancient Mediterranean civilization and a disseminator of Greek and Eastern cultures, the cultural achievements of the Roman Empire had a profound influence on later Europe. The Romans extensively studied, absorbed, and utilized the culture created by previous eras and peoples, particularly the Greeks, and on this foundation, they created their own unique civilization, making it an important part of classical civilization and a key element of the Renaissance. Rome contained too many mysteries, or perhaps it was a mystery in itself. From sunken ships to treasures, from the disappearance of legions to the deaths of emperors, and the mysterious disappearance of the ancient city of Pompeii—all were shrouded in heavy mist. But this was precisely its charm, attracting people for centuries. Even more fascinating were Rome's architectural wonders. Rome left behind the magical Leaning Tower of Pisa, the magnificent triumphal arches, and the gladiatorial arenas filled with struggle and bloodshed, as well as the Church of the Virgin and Martyrs—the Pantheon. In terms of culture and arts, there were the famous frescoes of Pompeii, as well as various sculptures that aided archaeological research. In law, Rome made even greater contributions to humanity. Since the enactment of the Twelve Tables during the Republic period, Roman law has been continuously refined, especially during the imperial era, when various schools of legal scholars extensively collected and comprehensively synthesized the achievements of legal development since the Republic, bringing the Roman legal system to perfection. The Roman Empire connected regions that were once isolated, promoting economic and cultural exchange between the East and the West. Although Emperor Nero brutally persecuted Christianity during his reign, the Christian religion that emerged during the imperial period was widely spread and declared legal by Constantine the Great in the Edict of Milan in 313 AD, gradually becoming one of the world's three major religions and having a significant impact on Western society. This book aims to provide an in-depth analysis of various aspects of ancient Rome, showcasing the civilization and art of this ancient civilization to readers. It includes the suffering under slavery, the hedonism in prosperity, and the city-state that rose from the flames. Among these, the long-standing mysteries that have puzzled people have also seen further developments, and it is believed that the time to uncover the truth is drawing near.