[originaltext] Italy enjoyed a highly developed and specialized civilization

Italy enjoyed a highly developed and specialized civilization from about 264 B. C. until the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 A.D. Important contributions were made in art, science, religion, and architecture.’ Remains of Roman can still be seen in various parts of Africa and Europe today. Probably the most lasting of the Roman heritage to the world can be found in laws based on Roman legal principles as found in England, Latin America, and the United States, as well as the Roman alphabet which forms the basis of many languages among which are English, Spanish, and German.