The Roman Empire is well-known for its complex bureaucracy and extensive trade networks across the Mediterranean. This vast empire, which thrived from around 27 BC to AD 476 in the West, established a sophisticated administrative structure that facilitated governance over diverse populations. Additionally, the Romans developed an extensive system of roads and ports, enabling efficient trade across Europe, North Africa, and the Near East. Their trade routes exchanged not only goods such as wine, olive oil, and grain but also cultural and technological innovations, significantly influencing the regions they encompassed.