Overview
"Roman" is an adjective and noun connected with the city of Rome and the civilizations that grew from it. It commonly denotes the ancient inhabitants of Rome and the polities they built (the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire), but it also appears in cultural, linguistic and technical contexts—for example, Roman law, Roman architecture, Romance languages, and the typographic label "roman" for upright type.
People, state and history
Originally the term referred to residents and citizens of the city of Rome and, as Rome expanded, to peoples incorporated into its institutions. Roman political development moved from a city-state to a republic and then to an empire. The social and administrative practices of these polities—citizenship, municipal government, and legal codes—shaped later European institutions.
Culture, language and law
Latin was the language of Roman administration, literature and law; it later evolved into the Romance languages spoken across southern and western Europe. Roman law established ideas such as written statutes, contracts, and property concepts that underpin many modern legal systems. Roman religion, literature, and urban life also formed a durable cultural legacy in art, philosophy and public ritual.
Architecture and engineering
Roman engineering and architecture are noted for innovations adapted to large-scale public works. Characteristic features include the extensive use of arches, vaults and concrete; durable roads and bridges; aqueducts that supplied cities with water; and public buildings such as baths, amphitheaters and basilicas.
Typographic and modern uses
In typography, "roman" denotes upright (non-italic) letterforms and contrasts with italic and bold styles. The adjective appears in compound phrases—"Roman Catholic," "Romanesque," or "Romanization"—where it indicates a connection to Rome, Roman heritage, or Latin influence. Care is taken to distinguish "Roman" from unrelated terms such as the Romani people.
Notable distinctions
- Ancient Romans: members or citizens of Rome and its ancient institutions.
- Roman (adjective): relating to the city, its culture, language or institutions.
- Roman type: the upright style used in printed text, distinct from italic.
- Romance languages: modern languages descended from Latin, often called "Roman" in older usage.