People in those parts of Germany that once enjoyed the blessings of Roman civilization are still better off today.
“What have the Romans ever done for us?”
(Monty Python's Life of Brian)
   The Limes Wall separated one of the most developed and powerful cultures in human history from the relatively undeveloped, “barbaric” German tribes. During their occupation, the Romans introduced their culture, such as better hygiene, technology, trade, and laws.
   In this study, we examine the role of ancient cultures, specifically the impact of Roman civilization around two thousand years ago, on the macro-psychological character of German regions. We compare present-day regions that were advanced by Roman culture with those that remained outside of Roman influence.
   Even when accounting for more recent historical factors, we find that regions developed by Roman civilization show more adaptive personality patterns (Big Five) and better health and psychological wellbeing today.  Results from a spatial regression discontinuity design indicate a significant effect of the Roman border on present-day regional variation in these outcomes. Additional analyses suggest that Roman investments in economic institutions (e.g., trade infrastructure such as Roman roads, markets, and mines) were crucial in creating this long-term effect.
   To conclude, our study is testimony of the striking and sometimes surprising effects of deep historical imprints on psychological patterns and outcomes of populations today. Indeed, it would appear that one of the lasting effects of Roman culture in Germany is reflected in greater life satisfaction and longevity among residents who live in the former Roman region. 
   From this perspective, it seems that the civilization head-start established by the Roman Empire in German regions south of the Limes around two thousand years ago still persists today, just in different ways. This is an important result, especially in light of the oft- supposed legacy of the Berlin Wall, which is widely seen as creating a macro-psychological historical divide that still shapes German regions and their populations today.