It should be noted that Roman philosophy developed under the dominant influence of Hellenistic Greek philosophy. She used in her practice the scientific apparatus, terminology and main directions peculiar to Greek philosophical thought. At the same time, stoicism, epicureanism and skepticism became the dominant trends.
The life ideal of the followers of Stoicism was absolute peace of mind, equanimity, overcoming fear of the gods and death. One of the most prominent philosophers of this school, Lucius Annaeus Seneca (4-65 BC), taught in his philosophical and ethical treatises: everything that is external has nothing to do with us. In turn, it is philosophy that can heal our soul from excessive fascination with the outside world.
Epicureanism became the only materialistic trend in the philosophy of ancient Rome. Lucretius Carus (96-55 BC), a prominent representative of epicureanism, in his poem "On the Nature of Things", explaining everything that exists in a materialistic way, set a goal for himself – to help a person find peace of mind and free his mind and feelings from fear and superstition.
The founder of skepticism, Sextus Empiricus (200-250 BC), questioned the possibility of knowing truth and reality. His teaching was aimed at a critical reassessment of all modern knowledge.
In addition to the theories listed above, mystical philosophical doctrines such as Neopythagoreanism, Neoplatonism, as well as Eastern religions and cults were very popular during the Roman Empire.
Roman art also has its own unique look. Although there is an Etruscan and Greek influence in the content of his works, they are an artistic expression of typically Roman ideological tendencies. This is especially true of architecture, where the desire for pomp and splendor finds its expression in the construction of triumphal arches, squares (forums), temples, theaters, bridges, aqueducts, markets, hippodromes, etc. At the turn of the III—II centuries BC, durable Roman concrete was invented, the use of which made it possible to carry out a number of magnificent projects. A remarkable achievement of Roman architecture and construction techniques was the construction of the Colosseum's grand amphitheater and the building of the temple of all the gods – the Pantheon in Rome.