38 HISTORY AND SIGNIFICANCE OF SCIENCE 



again to have been superposition of a Nordic element upon 

 a Mediterranean one. But the fusion was more complete. 

 The sunny shores of the Middle Sea attracted the barbarian 

 long before the centuries during which Roman legions held 

 back the northern hordes. A transition occurred in Italy as 

 well as in Greece from the simple unimaginative standards 

 of neolithic culture to the luxurious and thoughtful tastes 

 of civilization, under the influence of Egypt, Mesopotamia, 

 and Crete. Later, the Hellenic culture became dominant 

 in the intellectual life of Rome. 



In contrast to the Greeks, the Romans were active in the 

 practical application of science rather than its theoretical 

 extension. Their cultural contribution was government and 

 the internationalizing of civilization. Rome was, however, 

 a bulwark against the barbarians, and thus made possible 

 a further development of science in Alexandria and in the 

 lesser centers which preserved the Greek tradition. Again 

 there occurred a great advance in the material aspects of 

 civilized life, this time in the means of communication and 

 transportation and in the stabilizing of the entire civilized 

 world. But through it all, the Roman was not distinguished 

 for originality in science or philosophy. Interest in nature 

 seems to have consisted mainly in the practical applications 

 of principles already ascertained. After two centuries of 

 peace, following the conquests, Roman genius was still 

 imitative in speculative science. 



Energy and fortitude, prudence, endurance of long and 

 arduous labor for the sake of ultimate gain, and hence an 

 unremitting toil, practical sense, and capacity to profit by 

 experience were distinctive Roman characteristics. The 

 Greek ideal of a noble enjoyment of leisure and the pursuit 

 of knowledge was but superficially comprehended by the 

 majority of cultured Romans. 22 The influence of racial 

 traits is a possible key to the situation. The Roman by 

 nature was practical and utilitarian rather than philosophical 



"Taylor, H. O., "Ancient Ideals," Chap. XII. 



