The Roman Empire was an expansive political and cultural superpower that dominated much of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa from 27 BC to 476 AD. Its remarkable longevity was due to the tight integration of diverse cultures, practices, and beliefs, most notably the sustained importance it placed upon a pervasive spiritual system. A complex fusion of religious syncretism and traditional Roman cults, this system provided a common language, belonging and ever-renewing sense of purpose to the growing Roman populace. Given these factors, the Roman Empire stands out among other ancient civilizations for its unparalleled success in unifying disparate cultures and maintaining its influence for centuries.

See also: myth, mediterranean basin, ecosystem