The Roman Empire experienced a Golden Age which lasted for a 200 year period. This 200 year period was centered on peace and became known as the Pax Romana. The Pax Romana developed to be a time of cultural and intellectual achievements for Rome. Rome’s most important achievement has to be its system of laws. Their system included innocent until proven guilty, men being equal under the law, and having the right to face their accusers.
Another factor of the Roman Golden Age was their art and architecture. Roman art portrayed an incredibly realistic style of art, even though they favored the style of the Greeks form of art. Their architecture consisted of elaborate columns, arches, domes which can be found at sites like the Pantheon and Coliseum. The Romans also built roads, harbors, bridges, and an early form of elevators. They were also well known for the building of the aqueduct, which were bridge like structures that were used to carry fresh water across long distances. Roads, harbors, and bridges were used for transportation and trade of goods. Vertical shafts contained lifts operated by ropes and pulleys which led people towards the Coliseum. All these engineering and public structures were definitely important and useful to the people of the Roman Empire for trade, transportation, water, and just for an easier way of life. After the collapse the Maurya Empire, Chandra Gupta II led India to its Golden Age. Under Chandra Gupta II and during this Golden Age they kept a high level being sure to
be chivalrous and heroic. They began to write down rules for everything based on grammar, drama, and politics. Soon enough they gain a major language which was Sanskrit, and began to flourish in art and learning. Poets, playwriters, and philosophers were introduced and their form of literature started from religious pieces to folk tales. A few of the tales included Panchatantra which presented moral lessons towards the people. Not only were tales introduced, but plays began to become an important part in Gupta’s Golden Age. Dramas such as Shakuntala portrayed the ideas of romance and love. Mathematics was a significant contribution and advancement. They brought their ideas of algebra and invented the concept of zero. These mathematical contributions also helped astronomers, which was group of people that advanced the discoveries and understanding of the universe. The field of medicine was also included in these achievements and consisted of the invention of medical tools and the performance of operations. These incredible accomplishments of both the Roman Empire and the Gupta Dynasty in India, not only formed their Golden Age of success, but influenced the modern world today. Today, we have adopted the architectural forms of the Romans, such as domes, columns, and arches. Most buildings and structures today, like the Supreme Court, wouldn’t reveal their elaborate designs if it wasn’t for the achievements made during the Pax Romana. The Gupta Dynasty has also provided us with the forms of education, whether it is in math, science, or medicine. These areas of education have greatly impacted our society today because they are everyday tools of life. From algebra to number systems to medical instruments they have provided with items that are most important in the live of people today.