Yes. Although the Roman Empire began as a city-state on the Italian peninsula, its influence and conquests soon spread far beyond it. For several centuries, Rome held sway over much of mainland Europe, Northern Africa, and Western Asia. During this time, Roman culture, ideas, and institutions gradually diffused into and changed the lives of millions of non-Italic people across these vast areas. These changes also impacted other countries beyond its direct dominion because the empire served as a model for various cultures globally regarding art, literature, politics, and even language.