Professor Senn
Hum 121
26 October 2017
Comparing Ancient Rome and Modern America Philosopher George Santayana has a way with words and gives those who never really paid much attention to history a reason to now pay attention. Santayana declares that “‘Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it’ “(Santayana). Today in modern America, Americans like to compare ancient Rome and their surroundings. Ancient Rome and America share many of the same Laws, Literature, building structures, and even clean water. If it were not for these clever ideas the romans came up with, America would not be the same. In so many different ways the society has been affected by a touch of Ancient Rome. The making of laws began to develop …show more content…
Romans used unoccupied space to cover a range from one body of water to the next. Engineers constructed over 50,000 miles of roads that are still used today. Buildings in Washington D.C. were designed from Roman styles and Roman Theaters also have an influence on today’s theaters. Roman Amphitheaters as the circus maximus had a capacity to seat over 20,000 tourist and spectators. The colosseum coved over six acers of land. Events held at the colosseum consisted of chariot races, sea battles and even brutal blood sports. Colosseums in modern America are used for the same sort of thing today but, the activities hosted are not as brutal as Roman events. Roman building ability enhanced as they discovered concrete, this was a big jump for the Romans. Systems they built helped drain water properly and also allowing a stream of fresh water to be available to the people. America has become greatly exposed to clean water sources and draining systems that properly disposes water just as the romans did. Although these similarities may overlap into the next country, there are also a great amount of differences between the two. Even though we focus on the similarities the differences distinguish the countries between the two. Therefore we as citizens should not only understand how Ancient Rome has affected the states but recognize the differences as well, it may be an important guide in understand the future of the United States.
Works Cited
Nicholas Claremont. “"Those Who Do Not Learn History Are Doomed To Repeat It." Really?” Big think, 3 May 2015, http://bigthink.com/the-proverbial-skeptic/those-who-do-not-