History Roma Eterna? Roman Rule Explains Regional Well-Being Divides in Germany

[Tautalus]

To what extent can an ancient culture, from an empire that ended more than a millennium and a half ago (its western part), still influence the formation of psychological traits and the well-being of populations in modern times ?
This is an interesting article that explores how ancient Roman civilization has left a lasting impact on the psychological well-being and personality traits of modern-day German regions. It highlights the long-term influence of historical events on present-day regional inequalities. The researchers found that areas once under Roman rule exhibit more adaptive personality traits and better health outcomes compared to regions that were not influenced by the Romans. The regions in southern Germany that were once under Roman rule still exhibit higher levels of extraversion, openness, and life satisfaction, along with lower levels of neuroticism. Life expectancy in regions once under Roman rule is higher—on average, six months more than in non-Romanized areas.
This effect is attributed to the advanced economic institutions and infrastructure introduced by the Romans, such as roads, markets, irrigation systems and public amenities, which stimulated trade and economic growth. This infrastructure has had a lasting impact, with 87% of modern highways in Romanized regions tracing near ancient Roman roads.
Roman institutions, such as an advanced legal system and public health services, established cultural norms that continue to influence behaviors and values in these regions. The study suggests that these regions have developed a "collective memory" associated with Roman values, which is reflected in local stories, traditions, and community attitudes. The initial economic advantages established during Roman rule created a development pattern that reinforced itself over time, contributing to present-day regional differences in well-being and personality traits.
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Abstract

In light of persistent regional inequalities in adaptive outcomes such as health, wellbeing, and related personality traits, psychological research is increasingly adopting a historical perspective to understand the deeper roots of these patterns. 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. Together, these results demonstrate how ancient cultures can imprint a macro-psychological legacy that contributes to presentday regional inequalities.
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Roma Eterna? Roman Rule Explains Regional Well-Being Divides in Germany​

The Limes Germanicus (Line of frontier fortifications in the ancient Roman provinces of Germania), Roman roads, markets, and mines and Celtic Oppida.

 

[MOESAN]

I haven't had time yet to examine it but I'm almost sure this survey is full of bias or has someones at least.
Experience has learned me the infrastructures and the material easiness are not always synonyms of individual satisfaction about life (wellbeing). Concerning adaptativeness I can understand when the roads/exchanges network is better. BTW I don't know for Germany, but in Gaul the most of principal "Roman" roads had been made in the tracks of Gaulish ways, what is not to deny them a better condition/usability.

 

[Pax Augusta]

I will read it but I have a feeling that it is based on circular argumentation and even bias.

The authors of this study seem mostly to be economists, and I fear that none of them have the interdisciplinary knowledge needed for such a complex topic.

 

[Tautalus]

It’s a macro-psychological study, it seeks to understand how historical events and processes, like the impact of ancient civilizations, shape individual and collective psychological outcomes over long periods. Macro-psychology integrates insights from various disciplines, history, geography, sociology, economics, to provide a comprehensive understanding of present-day outcomes. But it’s difficult, if not impossible, to account for all the intervening variables and changes that occur over extended periods. There are many limitations in historical and geographic data, in their existence, accuracy and completeness, especially in pre-modern times. It’s extremely complex to establish a definitive causal relationship between Roman rule and present-day outcomes, to isolate the effects of Roman rule in that region from other historical events and influences that have occurred over the past millennium and a half. The authors acknowledge that more recent factors also play a role in maintaining regional differences and that the study has several limitations.​

 

[Vitruvius]

It's about as much nonsense as the idea that northern Italy's higher level of relative wealth compared to the rest of the country is due to Germanic or Celtic conquest. The roots of modern economic success within particular regions of industrialized countries lies in the history of how and why they industrialized which was not a geographically egalitarian process. They have little if anything to do with ancient conquests or cultural impact.