Roman Law in Modern Life: Citizenship

The ancient Romans created citizenship, but at first glance it seems very different from our citizenship. For instance, women were not allowed to become citizens. Citizenship could be bought, but at a very high price. Citizenship could be awarded to those who helped the empire in some way. Nowadays, however, most people who apply for citizenship get it, and there is no racial or gender bias. According to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, you must have "good moral character, the ability to read, write, and speak English, knowledge about the Constitution, and a favorable disposition towards the United States.

Noa

Sources Cited:

"US Citizenship Application." US Immigration Support. Web. 20 Oct. 2009. .

"Roman Citizenship." Www.wikipedia.com. 19 Oct. 2009. Web. 20 Oct. 2009. .

Roman Law in Modern Life: Stoicism

Romans promoted the idea of Stoicism, the importance of virtue, duty, and endurance in life. These were values that the Romans thought highly of. The belief of Stoicism helped create a strong sense of citizenship in Rome. The country provides protection and security for its citizens and in return, the citizens are expected to be active and participate in society to strengthen their country. Today, the Stoic idea of public duty still stands in America. Some examples are voting and recycling. The picture to the left portrays Marcus Tullius Cicero, one of the most important Stoic philosophers in Roman times. Cicero was a scholar and politician.
I used my social science textbook for this information, World History: Medieval and Early Modern Times.




Works Cited:


World History: Medieval and Early Modern

Times.McDougal Littell, 2006. Print.
Picture Citation:
Digital Image. The Romans. Taylor and Francis. Web. 11 Oct. 2009. .

~Beverley

Roman Law in Modern Life: Leadership

Above, the United States Congress and Roman Senate.

The Romans believed that no leader should have too much power. Thus, they had two elected consuls, while a Senate and Assembly were in charge of making rules. The Senate was very similar to today's Congress. The senators could pass decrees called "senatus consultum," which were much like today's bills.

Therefore, my first example for Roman Law in Modern Life is our United States Congress. Like our Congressmen, their Senators were elected as well. Like our modern day President and the Congress, the Senate acted as a check to the consul's power.

Noa

Engraving of a Meeting of the Roman Senate. Digital image. LAT 311: Roman Authors. University of Texas. Web. 11 Oct. 2009. http://www.utexas.edu/courses/lat311moore/lat311images2.htm.

United States Congress. Digital image. Knowledgerush.com. 2005. Web. 11 Oct. 2009. .

Brown, Brian. "The Great Dictator: Julius Caesar and the Death of the Roman Republic." Thefreelibrary.com. Junior Scholastic, 23 Jan. 2006. Web. 11 Oct. 2009. .