The Roman Empire was one of the most powerful and influential civilizations in history, spanning from 27 BCE to 476 CE in the West, and enduring in the East as the Byzantine Empire for nearly a thousand more years. At its height, it encompassed vast territories across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, connecting diverse cultures through advanced infrastructure, a unified legal system, and a common currency. Renowned for its monumental architecture, such as the Colosseum and aqueducts, as well as its contributions to governance, engineering, and the arts, the Roman Empire left a profound legacy that continues to shape the modern world.