Legacies from ancient times present today (II)
December 2, 2025
By Alejandro Serna
After exploring some of the legacies of the ancient world last week, we continue analyzing other historical legacies that have decisively contributed to shaping our culture and our way of thinking.
Senate: its origins date back to the period of the monarchy in ancient Rome. Its creation is attributed to Romulus, the first Roman king, although sources suggest that it actually arose from a council of 100 elders, or patres, heads of the most influential families, whose purpose was to form a stable political organization. The Romans considered that older men possessed wisdom, experience, and a deep knowledge of traditions—qualities indispensable for decision-making.
Another fundamental reason for the creation of the Senate was to offer advice to the king, serving as an advisory body on the most important matters of government. Currently, most modern senates are inspired by this Roman model. A clear example is the case of Spain, where the Senate is part of the Cortes Generales (Parliament) and acts as a chamber of territorial representation. Together with the Congress of Deputies, it participates in the drafting and approval of laws, thus reflecting the continuity of the institutional tradition inherited from ancient Rome.
Philosophy: It originated in Ancient Greece around the 6th century BC, in a region called Ionia (now part of Turkey). The first philosophers were called pre-Socratics, since they lived before Socrates or were not directly influenced by him.
Until then, the phenomena of the world were explained through myths, while the first philosophers began to seek rational explanations, far removed from the mythical. Furthermore, the expansion of trade allowed the Greeks to come into contact with other cultures, compare beliefs, and question the established order. Added to this were the freedom of thought characteristic of many Greek city-states and the growing need to understand the origin and workings of the world.
Many current constitutions and systems of government are based on the ideas of thinkers such as Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu. The separation of powers in Spain (executive, legislative, and judicial) directly reflects the influence of Montesquieu’s theories on the organization of the State and the need to prevent the concentration of power.
Religious celebrations / Public festivals: Ancient civilizations held festivals to honor their gods, ask for protection, give thanks for the harvests, and maintain harmony between society and the spiritual world. These celebrations usually included processions, music, sacrifices, banquets, dances, and ceremonies in temples.
In Greece, for example, one of the most important festivals was the Panathenaea, dedicated to the goddess Athena, protector of the city. This celebration included parades, sacrifices, and music. During the festival, the population dressed in a peplos, a special tunic that was offered to the statue of Athena in her temple, located on the Acropolis of Athens.
In Rome, a very popular festival was the Saturnalia, dedicated to the god Saturn. During these days, social roles were reversed: slaves could receive gifts, eat alongside their masters, and enjoy a symbolic freedom. It was a period of celebration, feasting, and a relaxation of social norms. Many modern holidays have their origins in ancient celebrations.
Ancient civilizations bequeathed to us numerous elements that still form part of our daily lives. These legacies not only show us how our ancestors lived but also help us better understand our society and appreciate the continuity of history. Recognizing these heritages allows us to learn from the past to build a more conscious present and a more solid future.