The Roman Empire left a lasting impact on the Western world, shaping language, law, architecture, and government. At its height, Rome controlled vast territories across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Latin, the empire's official language, evolved into the Romance languages - including Spanish, French, and Italian - and still influences English today. Roman law laid the groundwork for many modern legal systems, emphasizing principles like citizenship, contracts, and equal treatment. Architecturally, the Romans mastered concrete construction, roads, aqueducts, and monumental buildings like the Colosseum and Pantheon. Politically, the concept of a republic and a senate inspired later democratic governments. Even after the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD, its legacy continued through the Eastern Roman Empire, or Byzantine Empire, and the preservation of Roman ideas by medieval scholars. The echoes of Rome remain visible in modern infrastructure, legal codes, and political institutions across the globe.