In pre-Christian Rome, religion was still important. The Romans worshipped a variety of gods and goddesses and enjoyed rituals and symbols that would ensure their health, happiness, and continued prosperity. The Romans also kept their ancestors memories alive in their homes and used their funeral masks in yearly rituals and religious ceremonies (Matthews & Platt 111). This indicates the Romans were spiritual even before Christianity entered their realm, and also indicates how the ri

Thus, while the Roman Empire eventually fell, for a time it excelled in the arts, architecture, law, music, religion, and language. It influenced European and worldwide culture for centuries, and, as the textbook authors note, "When the ancient world was swept away, the Idea of Rome remained a beacon in the darkness that descended over Europe" (Matthews & Platt 140). What is most interesting about all of this is that powerful as it was, the empire still could not withstand the influences of without and within, and was not strong enough to stand on forever. Another historian writes, "The Empire gradually killed itself; decay was more rapid at the heart 1 than on the frontiers; and the result could not have been brought about in any other way, since it was the greatest power in the world, and could only die of its own inherent weaknesses" (Chapot 417). That raises the question, is any civilization capable of lasting "forever," or longer than the Romans?

tualism of Catholicism, their major modern religion, would appeal to them later in history.

That of course is not to say that Rome and its culture were perfect. That is simply not the case with any complex civilization, as our own modern civilization clearly indicates. While the Roman system of government during the city-state was reasonable and semi-democratic, it ended by 600 B.C. Even during times of good government, there was still a great distinction between the classes, and eventual exclusion of the plebian class. When the Roman republic replaced the earlier government, it was a model in government and separation of powers (Matthews & Platt 114), and it evolved through several stages, but it was still dominated by strong families and politicians, and it eventually disintegrated into an autocracy. The government had become corrupt, imperialistic, and largely ceremonial and ineffectual, no longer fully representing the entire population and their needs and wants. When the autocracy was formed, the rulers relied on military power to hold on to their rule. Society improved, and so did trade, but just about every aspect of culture changed when Rome changed from a republic to an empire, even the arts and architecture. Many things advanced, in parallel with Greek culture, but other aspects diminished, which eventually led to unrest, unhappiness, and eventual collapse. During the empire, culture, the arts, and philosophy all reached a "golden age." It almost seems as if Rome reached a pinnacle and could go no further, and so, there was no where to go but down. Historian Jenkyns notes that one reason the empire finally fell was the

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1762
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)