Beyond the stones

Fast food in Ancient Rome? 10 great things we inherited from the Romans

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According to history books, Rome fell more than 1,500 years ago, but it can be easily argued that the Empire's influence never truly waned. Beyond its majestic ruins, Rome left a legacy so intertwined with our modern world that we often fail to recognize how many of our daily conveniences stem from their unique vision and innovation. From public sanitation to bureaucracy, here are 10 surprising ways the Roman Empire continues to shape our lives today.

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The Julian calendar, named after Julius Caesar, forms the backbone of our modern Gregorian calendar system. While it has been modified by Pope Gregory XIII (hence the name "Gregorian"), the basic structure—365 days with leap years—remained.

Even the names of our months are derived from Roman months, which is most evident in months like July and August, which honor the early rulers Julius Caesar and Augustus. Moreover, Rome's efforts to standardize time laid the foundation for modern global timekeeping.

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Bizarrely, the standard width of modern American railways can be traced back to Roman chariot paths. These ancient roads set a standard gauge of 4 feet, 8.5 inches, which were used extensively across the empire.

Since much of the road infrastructure built in Great Britain was only improved upon by the following rulers, the same width was preserved long after the Roman Empire fell for fear of breaking the wheels of carriages, and it eventually became the basis for railroads.

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Concrete is so ubiquitous in modern architecture that it’s hard to believe it was invented over a thousand years ago. Roman concrete, or opus caementicium, was a revolutionary formula—a mix of volcanic ash with lime and water— which produced materials so durable that they have withstood millennia.

In fact, Roman concrete may have been even stronger and more resilient than our modern version. The inclusion of calcium carbonate chunks and unique mixing techniques gave it remarkable self-healing properties, allowing the material to repair cracks over time, further enhancing its durability.

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The Romans invented the hypocaust system, an early form of central heating. By circulating hot air beneath the floors and walls of public baths and homes, they ensured warmth and comfort, especially during cold winters. The system was so efficient that it could easily provide heat for hundreds of people at once.

Unfortunately, after the collapse of the Roman Empire, heating reverted to more primitive fireplaces for nearly a thousand years. However, the technology lived on and eventually became the precursor to today’s underfloor heating systems.

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Rome’s sanitation systems were ahead of their time, featuring flushing toilets connected to complex sewer networks like the Cloaca Maxima (amusing name, we know). These innovations helped reduce disease and improve public health, a rare luxury in ancient times.

In fact, major cities like London did not have adequate sewage systems until 1875! The city only undertook this massive engineering challenge after untreated sewage in the Thames rendered it nearly uninhabitable, which goes to show just how advanced Roman sanitation systems were.

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Not even what we might consider the pinnacle of modern conveniences—fast food—is immune to Roman influence. In fact, Romans loved their street food. Thermopolia, the ancient Roman equivalent of fast-food shops, served hot meals to busy citizens on the go.

These establishments were a common sight in cities, offering quick and affordable meals. Even more, some historians suggest that they might have had burgers, or at least a similar type of meat sandwich called Isicia Omentata. This dish featured spicy minced pork seasoned with fish sauce and was often served in plain bread buns.

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Romans were no strangers to advertising. Merchants used signs, slogans, and symbols to promote their goods. Mosaics with company logos and distinctive designs served as early trademarks and have been frequently found in well-preserved archaeological sites such as Pompeii.

Hospices and inns also relied on advertising to inform travelers about their services, sometimes even noting that they served food "Roman style." Moreover, wealthy Romans often used advertising for political purposes, funding slogans to be painted on buildings or even commissioning caricatures of their political enemies.

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Graffiti was everywhere in ancient Rome, from political messages to love notes. But just like in modern times, Romans frequently used graffiti humorously, sometimes leaving rude remarks, explicit drawings, or just commenting ironically on daily life.

But graffiti could also be more innocent, featuring simple pictures or even games (picture a chalk tic-tac-toe on a wall). Despite the centuries that separate us, their sense of humor was not so different from ours, and graffiti has been invaluable to historians and archaeologists in reconstructing daily life in Roman times.

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Romans didn’t just build cities—they meticulously planned them. They pioneered grid layouts with organized streets and distinct zones for residential, commercial, and public spaces. These urban planning innovations have influenced modern city design, where very similar urbanization plans are still used to build and expand.

While the city itself is not a Roman invention, of course, Roman designs shaped how we conceive of urban spaces today. Their approach to planning ensured that cities were functional, efficient, and navigable, setting a standard that continues to guide modern urban development.

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Whether you see it as a gift or a burden, there is no doubt that Roman bureaucracy has left a lasting legacy. Rome’s complex system of governance required extensive bureaucracy. And they were among the first to implement systematic and detailed record-keeping, tax collection, and legal systems.

In particular, the Roman army was highly bureaucratic; something as simple as a stock check or a food order often required paperwork in triplicate before it could be authorized! But in any case, this meticulous record-keeping is a major reason we have such detailed knowledge about Roman times today.

Today's words

You may be acting "extra" without even knowing! Learn 10 new slang terms

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We know it's hard to keep up with the trends all the time. On the streets and in the media, new music, dance moves, hair and clothing styles, apps, or even new flavors are constantly emerging. But also new words! Gen Z people have found original and clever ways to name all kinds of everyday things and situations. If you want to stay up to date with the latest slang, don't miss this article with 10 today's terms and expressions!

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What we used to call just a "phase" has taken on a more epic tone and is now called an "era." This slang term describes a period marked by certain behaviors or characteristics that define a person's current situation.

If you are trying to see the world with different eyes and find the bright side in every situation, let's say you are in your "positive era." Do you have a friend who got tired of being told what to do and now speaks her mind without fear? Well, it's clear she has entered her "villain era." And what about that cousin who got his first job recently? Today's teens would say he's in his "independent era." And so we could go on all day. What would you say is your current era?

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This term first appeared in the 2000s, but it has successfully re-emerged in recent years, especially on social media.

Have you ever seen someone desperately crying because they dropped a piece of toast? Remember that colleague who wore an overly formal suit to a casual barbecue? Well, you could say they were being "extra."

"Extra" is a slang word used to describe people, behaviors, or situations that are excessive or overdramatic. You know, anything that's just too much. Does anyone come to mind right now?

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When someone takes a bite, and you hear "mmm," it can only mean one thing: the food is delicious. But now there's a new word to express your approval when tasting a dish: "Bussin'!"

If you buy some snacks for your nephew and he says, "Yeah, bussin'!" Congratulations, you've made the right choice. "Bussin'" is used to describe anything considered excellent or well done, especially when it's about food and drink.

Next time you want to recommend a restaurant, you can say their desserts are bussin'!

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We've all been in love. Especially when we're young, the idea of that elusive crush is always in our thoughts. In other cases, it's not love but worries that occupy our minds all day long. There are also moments when we can't stop thinking about a book or series we want to return to when we get home.

There is an expression to refer to all those thoughts: they are said to be living "rent-free" in our minds. This witty expression implies that these recurrent ideas emerge without the need for any external stimulus, reason, or effort, and they will probably stay there.

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When your outfit, attitude, words, or anything you do goes well and impresses others, you may hear "Slay!"

While confusing at first, this is a slang term for showing approval. When this word appears, it means someone is doing a great job or "killin' it." You've probably read it in the comments under a photo of celebrities "slaying" on a red carpet, or maybe under a video with many likes. Even famous people have adopted the word, helping it become more popular.

Next time you like what you see or hear, you know what expression to use to compliment the person in front of you.

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We already have the term to show approval; now it's time for a word that expresses the opposite.

New generations have this term for when something unexpected or unacceptable happens. If someone suddenly changes their attitude toward you and starts being rude, if someone uses a weird word at work, or if that person you've been dating says something a little embarrassing or even offensive, the word you're looking for to describe how you feel is "ick." When something makes you uncomfortable or disgusts you, it's said it "gave you the ick."

Fun fact: The word was added to the dictionary in 2024!

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There are people who know how to stand out wherever they go. Whether it's their style, their way of speaking, the confidence they show, or their talent to make great decisions, today's slang has an expression for these people: they are the "main characters."

Have you ever felt that powerful emotion after finally setting boundaries and deciding for yourself? You know those days when you wake up in a great mood and feel extremely confident? Well, in those moments, you are definitely the main character.

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Do you recognize that anecdote, song, joke, or expression that only you and your best friend understand and share? While it sounds like a word in some foreign language, "Iykyk" stands for "if you know, you know." This written expression is used as a kind of warning or disclaimer: only a privileged few will understand the information, which is presented in code or as an inside joke.

This term appeared on social media around 2010, and since then, it has become more and more popular. Have you ever read it before?

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The word "vibe" is one of the most used terms by young people in their daily conversations as well as in their online chats, and it's used to describe the mood or the energy emanating from a person or even an entire place.

It's all about emotions and sensations. You know that colleague who's always complaining or that person who has a special talent to bring everyone's mood down? Well, you can confidently say they "don't pass the vibe check."

If, on the other hand, someone immediately connects with you or makes you feel great, we would say that they have "good vibes" or they "passed the vibe check."

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You're starting to see someone you really like, and it's been several months of dating and romantic messages. You're on a date night with him or her, and you suddenly see a friend of yours at the same bar. So, the question comes: "Is he/she your boyfriend/girlfriend?" Uncomfortable!

Some connections are difficult to define. But there is a new way to express that: If it is too risky to say that you are in a relationship, you can say you're in a "situationship."

What used to be defined by Facebook's "it's complicated" status can now be described with this new slang term that's perfect for when it's not a formal relationship but also more than just a friendship.