THE ROMAN STRESS ON HYGIENE VERY CLOSELY REFLECTS THAT OF THE MODERN DAY. ELEMENTS OF ROMAN CULTURE GREATLY INFLUENCE THE SCIENCE (AND SCIENCE FICTION) OF ASTRONOMY.
Hygiene
Roman doctor performing surgery
During the time of the Roman Empire, Hippocrates discovered the symptoms of many illnesses and tried to eliminate superstition from medical practice, pioneering conventional and helpful medical care. He also discovered the causes of tooth decay. Today, tooth decay and its prevention are highly stressed in daily hygiene routines, causing a majority of people to consistently brush their teeth twice a day. Also, the prevention of infection in surgery began during this time period. Surgical hygiene is still extremely important to modern physicians. Some doctors, still focused on mystical treatment, would suggest that patients soak in certain "healing" pools such as the Sacred Spring at Aquae Sulis. Although this was not the most practical treatment, it involved hygiene practices. The Roman development of hygienically sound practices correlates with the stress on daily bathing and medical cleanliness that exists in most countries today.
Excuse me, but the Romans' medicine never really affected my job...
WRONG DOCTOR!
Astronomy
Jupiter, the head Roman god, has a planet named after him
The Roman religion played a huge impact in making the solar system look the way it is today. Scientific innovations allowed for planets to be discovered and charted. Most planets, if not named by the Romans, were named after Roman gods (an important modern-day relic of Roman influence). Although this influence has less to do with Roman science than religion, it still pertains to this theme because it shows an overall Roman connection to modern science. Here are some planet names:
Mercury-named after messenger god.
Venus-named after goddess of beauty
Earth-just Earth...
Mars-named after god of war
Jupiter-named after supreme god of the skies (biggest god=biggest planet)
Saturn-named after god of plenty, wealth, generation, etc
Uranus-Greek
Neptune-named after god of the seas
Pluto-named after ruler of Underworld (which is SUPER ironic because people say RIP Pluto)
Romulus (See Star Trek)-named after mythical Roman founder (sidenote: an important Romulan adversary was named Nero)
AND the most important...
Mercury-named after messenger god.
Venus-named after goddess of beauty
Earth-just Earth...
Mars-named after god of war
Jupiter-named after supreme god of the skies (biggest god=biggest planet)
Saturn-named after god of plenty, wealth, generation, etc
Uranus-Greek
Neptune-named after god of the seas
Pluto-named after ruler of Underworld (which is SUPER ironic because people say RIP Pluto)
Romulus (See Star Trek)-named after mythical Roman founder (sidenote: an important Romulan adversary was named Nero)
AND the most important...