Why do civilizations borrow elements from earlier civilizations? think of two elements of american culture that have been borrowed from ancient roman cultures. explain what they are in a short essay.

Because people can learn from other people, in both in failures and in successes. The founding fathers of the United States took after the Roman republic in modeling after there government. This is why the United States Congress is structured in the same manner as the Roman Congress. Versus the rectangular or roundtable types of congresses that are seen in European countries. 

They also took after the Romans on the idea of a republic being comprised of people elected to represent them. These people are also meant to be changed out on a regular basis. And that the public was in control of who was calling the shots on their behalf.