--- title: "Roman Law, Latin, and Christianity" description: "Explain how Roman law influenced later legal systems, how Latin developed into French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian and contributed words to English, and how Christianity spread through " canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/history/roman-law-latin-and-christianity-mt_uzk7qs4KxE source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/history/roman-law-latin-and-christianity-mt_uzk7qs4KxE.md retrieved: 2026-11-12 --- > **Agent view.** This is the Markdown twin of the page, for tools and assistants. > When to use this site, and the call that answers each job: https://lightmysky.com/agent-instructions.md > API description (OpenAPI 3.1): https://lightmysky.com/openapi.json · Authentication: https://lightmysky.com/auth.md > Pricing: https://lightmysky.com/pricing.md · Catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms.txt · Full catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms-full.txt > Every machine-readable file on this domain: https://lightmysky.com/.well-known/ai-catalog.json > Ask for Markdown with `Accept: text/markdown`, a `.md` address, or `?mode=agent`. # Roman Law, Latin, and Christianity Explain how Roman law influenced later legal systems, how Latin developed into French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian and contributed words to English, and how Christianity spread through the Roman Empire. Distinguish Constantine and Licinius's protection of worship in 313 CE from Theodosius I making Nicene Christianity the official religion in 380 CE. Subject: History · Area: Ancient Greece & Rome · Ages 9 to 11 Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/history/roman-law-latin-and-christianity-mt_uzk7qs4KxE ## Ready when they can - Give examples of English words that come from Latin - Explain that Roman law influenced modern legal systems in Europe and beyond - Describe Christianity's spread through the Roman Empire and distinguish protected worship in 313 CE from official religious status in 380 CE ## Lesson: What Rome Left Behind You have learned about Rome's emperors. Rome had written laws and courts before emperors ruled. Enslaved people had far fewer legal rights than free people. Later legal systems in Europe and beyond borrowed Roman ideas about written laws, courts, and property, meaning things people own. Rome did not invent law or give everyone equal rights. Latin was widely used in Rome, but Greek and other languages were also spoken in the empire. Spoken Latin developed into French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian. These are Romance languages. English is Germanic. It borrowed Latin-root words, sometimes through other languages. Annual means every year and is linked to annus, Latin for year. Exit, video, and education also have Latin roots. Borrowing words does not change a language's family. *(drawing: Each box names a separate language that developed from Latin. The boxes do not show one language turning into the next.)* Christianity began in Judea, within the Roman Empire, in the first century CE. It grew from Jewish traditions and Jesus's teachings. Travelers shared Christian beliefs along roads and sea routes. Paul traveled and wrote letters to Christian communities. Some Christians were persecuted, meaning punished for their faith. Their treatment varied across times and places. Christianity was spreading before emperors supported it. In 313 CE, Constantine and Licinius agreed to protect religious worship, including Christian worship. Protection did not make Christianity the official religion. In 380 CE, Theodosius I made Nicene Christianity, a form of Christianity, the empire's official religion. An official religion has the state's support. People did not all change their beliefs at once. **Recap.** Roman law influenced later laws. Latin developed into Romance languages and contributed English words. Christianity spread through the empire; Nicene Christianity became official under Theodosius I. *Lesson, quiz, and flashcard repairs written for this dataset. Historical background was studied in Khan Academy's Christianity in the Roman Empire and OpenStax World History, Volume 1.* ## Practice 8 questions on this page, each with its working shown. ## Needs first - [Roman Republic and Empire](https://lightmysky.com/learn/history/roman-republic-and-empire-mt_vFYFvgrPgD) ## Optional connections - [Greek Gods with Roman Names](https://lightmysky.com/learn/history/greek-gods-with-roman-names-mt_FDKd7I79JZ) ## Opens up - [Greek and Roman Legacy Today](https://lightmysky.com/learn/history/greek-and-roman-legacy-today-mt_Nj32xtOhno)