Famous Roman inventions of ancient times are among the first things that come to mind when discussing our ancient history: just to name a few, aqueducts, concrete that withstood the passing of time, and a vast network of roads that connected — and still connects — many parts of Italy and Europe.
These are all well-known contributions that left an indelible mark on the world, but the Romans also pioneered several other things that still influence the way we live: bound books, centralized heating, shopping malls, and even newspapers, they all come from the minds and ingenuity of our sandal-wearing ancestors!
Bound Books: the Codex Revolution
The transition from scrolls to bound books is one of the most significant advancements in the history of written communication, and it’s a Roman innovation; the Romans developed the codex, a format that involved stacking pages of papyrus or vellum (treated animal skins) and binding them along one edge. This made reading, writing, and storing information far more efficient than the cumbersome scrolls used previously. The codex became particularly popular in the early Christian communities and soon spread throughout the Roman Empire. Needless to say, this is the format that laid the foundation for the books we all have in our homes today.
Centralized Heating: the Hypocaust System
In a time when most people relied on open fires to heat their homes, the Romans introduced a revolutionary underfloor heating system known as the hypocaust. This system used a furnace to heat air, which was then channeled through a space beneath the floor and up through hollow walls, which resulted in a warm and evenly heated environment, and proposed a significant advancement over the more primitive methods used by other cultures at the time. The hypocaust was particularly popular in Roman baths and wealthy villas, where comfort and luxury were paramount.
The First Shopping Mall: Trajan’s Market
The modern concept of a shopping mall, where various stores are housed under one roof, can be traced back to ancient Rome, too.
Trajan’s Market, constructed around 110 AD, is often considered the world’s first shopping mall: built by Emperor Trajan, this massive complex was made up of multiple levels that housed over 150 shops, offices, and even apartments. It was a place to buy goods, but also a lively hub of social and commercial activity. The market’s design and function laid the groundwork for the shopping malls we frequent today, which shows the Romans’ ability to innovate in both architecture and commerce.
The Concept of Multi-Unit Housing: Roman Condominiums
The Romans also introduced the concept of multi-unit housing with their insulae, which can be seen as the precursor to the modern condominium. These multi-story apartment buildings housed multiple families, with the wealthier residents occupying the lower, more accessible floors, and the poorer residents living in the upper levels. The insulae were an efficient way to house the rapidly growing urban population of Rome and demonstrate the Romans’ advanced understanding of urban planning and real estate.
Newspapers: the Acta Diurna
One of the more surprising Roman inventions is the first form of newspapers, back then known as the Acta Diurna. Introduced around 59 BC, these daily gazettes were posted in public spaces like the Roman Forum and provided citizens with news about military victories, political events, trials, and other significant occurrences. While these were handwritten and not widely distributed like modern newspapers, they represent the first attempt at keeping the public informed through a regular publication.
Portable Chairs: The Curule Seat
Another barely-known Roman contribution to the way we live today is the curule chair, a folding seat that was both practical and symbolic; it was used by magistrates and high-ranking officials, and it was designed to be portable, making it convenient for those in power to carry a symbol of their authority wherever they went. The design of the curule chair influenced the development of portable seating in various cultures, and it remains a significant symbol of power and status in some societies today.
The Romans’ ingenuity went far beyond their well-known architectural achievements, with their innovations in everyday conveniences — like those we’ve briefly described here — remaining important in our modern world. These inventions highlight the lasting legacy of the Roman civilization and show us how deeply their ideas are embedded in our daily lives. In the end, we can really say that the Romans are closer to us than we think!
