During its thousand-year history, Rome was one of the most powerful and influential empires in the world. The Romans made significant contributions to law, government, architecture, engineering, and literature. The Roman Empire also spread Christianity throughout Europe and the Middle East.
The fall of the Roman Empire is often seen as the end of the ancient world and the beginning of the Middle Ages. However, the Roman Empire had a profound impact on Western civilization, and its legacy can still be seen today.