forum romanum 01.05.10

city form: history/culture

 
The forum was the center of civic, economic and religious life during the Roman Republic and subsequent Empire. Though Roman expansion was begun during the days of the Republic, it reached its zenith under Emperor Trajan, controlling 6.5 million square kilometers. Because of the Empire's vast extent and long endurance, Roman influence upon the language, religion, architecture, philosophy, law, and government of nations around the world lasts to this day. The Western Roman Empire collapsed in 476 AD as a result of widespread corruption, general debauchery, and overextension of resources. Sound familiar? It would be nice to think the U.S. could learn from past mistakes of fallen empires, but perhaps any empire only has a certain lifespan, and eventual demise is inevitable.http://dlib.etc.ucla.edu/projects/Forum/timemaphttp://library.thinkquest.org/26602/republic.htmhttp://www.lycos.com/info/trajan.htmlhttp://www.rome.info/history/empire/fall/shapeimage_4_link_0shapeimage_4_link_1shapeimage_4_link_2shapeimage_4_link_3