Independence and public service were virtues that the Founding Fathers saw in the citizens of Rome. Roman citizens were willing to serve in public office, not for money, but because they were devoted to their republic. Historians today admit that the Founding Fathers somewhat exaggerated the virtues of Rome’s republic.

The men who inspired the American Revolution and created the American Constitution were imbued with the influence of the classical Greek and Roman world. The Founding Fathers used Greek philosophy and the model of Roman Republican government into order to form a new nation based on ancient principles.

Ancient America was home to sophisticated civilizations such as the Maya, Inca, Olmec and Aztec societies, and mysterious ruins like Chichen Itza, Teotihuacan, Serpent Mound, Tikal, Machu Picchu and the Nazca Lines.

They were enamored with Rome’s unique form of government, which had supposedly preserved liberty for hundreds of years. The Founders lavished praise upon Roman heroes who defended their government from tyranny in the Republic’s turbulent final days.

The Roman Empire

Zoroastrianism is an ancient Persian religion that may have originated as early as 4,000 years ago. Arguably the world’s first monotheistic faith, it’s one of the oldest religions still in existence.

Charlemagne’s

Charles V was the last emperor to be crowned by the pope, and his successor, Ferdinand I, merely adopted the title of “Emperor elect” in 1558. The final Holy Roman emperor-elect, Francis II, abdicated in 1806 during the Napoleonic Wars that saw the Empire’s final dissolution.

Francesco Totti

The emperors used a variety of different titles throughout history. Often when a given Roman is described as becoming “emperor” in English, it reflects his taking of the title Augustus or Caesar. Another title often used was imperator, originally a military honorific.