A recent study published in Current Research in Ecological and Social Psychology has shown that Roman rule, which occurred over two thousand years ago, continues to leave deep marks on regions in southern Germany. The work, led by Martin Obschonka and an international team of researchers, analyzes how Roman occupation shaped the psychological traits and well-being of the population, creating disparities that are still evident today.

The study focuses on the comparison between German regions that were part of the Roman Empire, protected by the famous Limes wall, and those that remained outside its influence. According to the results, areas under Roman rule display higher levels of extraversion, openness, and life satisfaction, as well as lower neuroticism, a trait associated with stress and anxiety. Additionally, life expectancy in these regions is significantly higher—on average, six months more than in non-Romanized areas.

The Limes line not only marked a military and cultural division in its time but still today acts as a psychological boundary separating behaviors, attitudes, and well-being between these regions, the study asserts.

One of the keys to Roman impact was the economic infrastructure. The Romans not only built roads connecting the conquered regions with the rest of the empire but also introduced markets, irrigation systems, and mines that stimulated trade and economic growth. According to the researchers, these investments were a catalyst for urban and economic development, whose effects have persisted to the present day.

Roman Empire Well-being Germany
The Limes Germanicus, the Roman roads, markets and mines, and the Celtic Oppida. Credit: Martin Obschonka et al.

For example, the analysis points out that 87% of modern highways in Romanized regions are traced near ancient Roman roads, demonstrating the persistence of this communication network. Roman roads not only facilitated trade in their time but also shaped patterns of urbanization and development that continued for centuries afterward, the researchers explain.

The study also highlights the role of Roman institutions in shaping a more organized, welfare-oriented local culture. The Romans introduced an advanced legal system, basic health services, and promoted hygiene habits through the construction of public baths accessible to all social classes. These innovations not only improved the quality of life in the occupied regions but also established cultural norms that influence behaviors and values to this day.

Moreover, it is argued that these regions developed a “collective memory” associated with Roman values, still reflected in local stories, traditions, and community attitudes. Even when physical remnants of the Roman Empire are limited, its cultural legacy lives on in how communities manage their environment and perceive well-being, the authors conclude.

The study also examines how the initial advantages established during Roman rule generated a path dependency, meaning a development pattern that reinforced itself over time. These regions started with an economic advantage due to Roman investments, making them more likely to sustain higher levels of well-being and growth.

Roman Empire Well-being Germany
Neuroticism and life expectancy in present-day Germany and Roman Limes border. Credit: Martin Obschonka et al.

On the other hand, areas outside Roman rule faced greater challenges in matching this development. According to the researchers, this historical disparity could explain some of the regional differences in economic and psychological indicators in contemporary Germany.

To reach these conclusions, the researchers used a spatial regression discontinuity design, a statistical method that allowed them to analyze the causal impact of the Roman border on modern differences. This approach compared individuals living near the ancient Limes, both inside and outside the former Roman territory, minimizing the impact of other geographical or historical factors.

Additionally, the results were validated in a similar analysis conducted in the Netherlands, where the Roman division also left significant marks on the personality traits and well-being of local communities.

The influence of history is undeniable. This work demonstrates that events that occurred millennia ago can have lasting effects on who we are and our quality of life. Understanding these mechanisms allows us to look at the past not just as a record of events but as a tool to interpret the present, the study concludes.


SOURCES

Martin Obschonka, Fabian Wahl, et al., Roma Eterna? Roman Rule Explains Regional Well-Being Divides in Germany. Current Research in Ecological and Social Psychology.January 2025, 100214. doi.org/10.1016/j.cresp.2025.100214


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