Let us list wonderfulnesses committed by Rome.

[Artimi]

At first one thinks of the infrastructure: roads, aqueducts, sewers, and other engineering feats.

 

The infrastructure made many material and non material goods flow across the empire.

 

 

 

 

 

and then there was sponge on stick.

[Centurion-Macro]

I would probably go with a superb military. The legions were a great innovation, and evolved to fight against many different threats. They were a grand military machine, and it was a wonderful thing that was created there.

 

Also, I would say influence. The Roman empire tied together links between hundreds of people's that still exist in languages and territory today.

[Viggen]

Language;

 

You already comprehend that many intellectual concepts and traditions were created or survived through Rome. But did you realize that you communicate in large part through dialects and modes of Latin? Although English is a Germanic language, it was heavily influenced by French (a Latin derivative) after the invasions of the Norman Franks. In addition, Latins`s influence through poetry, art, legals studies, sacred and secular literature (et cetera) was so profound that Latin has both inspired and infected not only the concepts, but the very terminology that we use to describe and to conceive of our world. This brief declaration provides you a minute picture of how pervasive Latin is: vocabulary with Latin origins is italicized.

 

...from Eric Nelson`s Complete Idiot`s Guide to the Roman Empire...

[the5500th]

Though the politacal system had many proplems it was revolutionary for its time and is better then alot we have now. The office of Tribune of the Plebs and the law that at least one consul had to be a pleb brought previously unknown rights and possiblities for the commaners even if bribery and political violence were rampant.

[Ursus]

In addition to what has been said: For the times, a rather liberal policy of granting citizenship to conquered subjects.

[Kosmo]

Language;

 

You already comprehend that many intellectual concepts and traditions were created or survived through Rome. But did you realize that you communicate in large part through dialects and modes of Latin? Although English is a Germanic language, it was heavily influenced by French (a Latin derivative) after the invasions of the Norman Franks. In addition, Latins`s influence through poetry, art, legals studies, sacred and secular literature (et cetera) was so profound that Latin has both inspired and infected not only the concepts, but the very terminology that we use to describe and to conceive of our world. This brief declaration provides you a minute picture of how pervasive Latin is: vocabulary with Latin origins is italicized.

 

...from Eric Nelson`s Complete Idiot`s Guide to the Roman Empire...

 

This is amazing. I had no idea English it's so Latin.

 

Romans left us an amazing legal heritage that it is very much alive in most countries of the world.

I also appreciate their rationalism and their inclusive religion.

[caesar novus]

In addition to what has been said: For the times, a rather liberal policy of granting citizenship to conquered subjects.

Also didn't they give citizenship to nearby allies and neutrals? Some say Rome fell due to their newfound reluctance to co-opt the barbarians with chances for a place in Roman society.

 

They added another kind of inclusivity to the common institution of slavery, that is wages at a rate that could give you the potential to buy your freedom in about 7 years. These folks were more like indentured servants than slaves. Some freedmen became outrageously rich - billionaires in modern terms.

 

Roman realistic sculpture of individuals has never been equaled, whether by the Greeks or renaissancians. The subjects aspirations and fortitude (yet pragmatism) comes thru without appearing forced or theatrical.

 

Their architecture reflects brilliant solutions to practical and aesthetic desires of mankind - not just pompous piles from meglomaniac leaders like tombs or defensive structures found all over the ancient world, but useful things of beauty.