Two Different Worlds
(Rome & Islam)



Rome and Islam share many different ways of living their everyday life. They share different ways of ruling, attacking in wars, and architecture. There will be many differences appearing here and there. For instance, there will be contrasts of how the Romans& Islams rule, how they each attack in wars, and their architecture.


To start with, Rome& Islam have different ways of ruling. “Roman emperors choose their successors by blood.” (pg. 49) So basically the whole line of emperors is a big family altogether. If the emperor happens to not have a son, then that’s a different story. Also when the emperor has many sons, the eldest son gets to rule, and then followed by the second, third, and so on. I think that this isn't a very good solution. It just doesn't feel right, because some emperors aren't very good at ruling the empire. So they might cause their empire to fall very quickly. However, Islam has a different way of choosing the next in line to rule. “They choose rulers that believe in the Islamic Religion.” (pg. 100) The ruler also has to be at least related to Muhammad. This is a solution I agree to. It's because then, it gives everyone a chance to rule. The ruler will also be wise and courageous. The biggest difference between the two is probably that one has to be related by blood, while the other doesn’t.

Next, there are many ways to fight on the battlefield. “Some includes using weapons or shields. Others include bombs.” (pg. 49 Augustus’s weapon) Well Rome uses swords and shields mainly in wars. In Islam, they use something called a “War Torpedo.” (Video “What the Ancients Did for Us”) It’s some sort of a weapon that glides swiftly on the water. It attacks without the enemies knowing. It is a very useful weapon to use on the seas. This shows that Islam have a totally different strategy of attacking in war than the Romans, I think that both have a unique way of fighting. But I like the way how Islam uses their strategy. It is very smart and useful.

“In architecture, Rome has columns, arches& coliseums” (pg. 44+48 picture) Ancient Rome is very powerful.” In Islam, they have houses shaped like domes& cubes.” (pg. 91 picture) They don’t have any coliseums like the Romans. I think both have their reasons in building the different types of buildings. It’s because Rome doesn’t have deserts near them. However Islam does. So that’s why they have different building structures.

Hence, even two very different worlds can share many different things. But as the differences surfaces, we can all see what each has to offer. Rome& Islam are two very different places to contrast. Therefore, we can learn even more from these two distant places.

-Jennifer Poh