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At its height, the Roman Empire spread from England to Egypt and from Morocco to Iraq. They spread their influence all across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Their dominance around the Mediterranean ensured safe trade and transportation across it, and the city of Rome's central location was optimal for trading.

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Roman Literature greatly contributed to our Western culture through poetry, philosophy and epics. Virgil's Aeneid described the story of a Trojan escaping to Italy and becoming the father of the Romans, which contributed to the grand storytelling and hero's journey structure authors utilize today. Additionally, Roman comedies and tragedies, though not invented by them, influenced the wide range of emotions that literature, especially drama, is written in.

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The Roman law became the foundation of western society's laws. Based on the Twelve Tables, Roman law introduced principles like justice and equality, which was not seen much before. Even after the fall of the Roman Empire, we can see its impact on our own laws.

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The Roman Government introduced important political and legal systems that make the base of modern systems today. The Roman Republic introduced the idea of elected representatives and the concept of checks and balances, which are things that we can directly see in our government today. Rome also introduced legal concepts that revolutionized the concept of justice, including the concept of "innocent until proven guilty". The Roman Empire's centralized government, impressive infrastructure, provincial divisions and public work projects contributed greatly to modern administration and public services.

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Roman Inventions revolutionized infrastructure and engineering, leaving a permanent impact on the modern world. The Romans first constructed an extensive road network, ensuring safe and swift communication and trade from all corners of the empire. We can see similarities in the American highway system, which closely resembles Rome's roadworks. Additionally, the invention of concrete and aqueducts greatly improved city living for the Romans, which are also two things still in use today. In short, Rome's legacy of innovation contributed a multitude of lasting impacts on our world today.

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Marcus Aurelius was a philosopher and an emperor who reigned shortly before the Pax Romana ended. He wrote The Meditations, which gave much wisdom about stoicism, virtue, self-improvement, and inner peace. His works greatly influenced the field of philosophy as we know it today.

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Cicero was a philosopher and an orator who greatly contributed to the Roman legal system, which in turned influenced our legal systems today. Examples include individual rights and justice under the law.

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Jesus' teaching of compassion and forgiveness founded the basis upon which Christianity was built on. Even though followers of Jesus were persecuted, Paul the Apostle spread Christianity across the Roman Empire. Eventually, Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity, and later Emperor Theodosius made it Rome's official religion. Ultimately, Christianity grew into one of the biggest and most influential religions today, impacting billions of people.