Regions of Germany that were under Roman rule approximately 2,000 years ago exhibit higher levels of psychological well-being, better health, and more adaptive personality traits compared to regions outside the Roman Empire, a new study has found. Published in Current Research in Ecological and Social Psychology, the study suggests that the infrastructure, institutions, and cultural advancements introduced by the Romans have left a surprisingly long-lasting imprint.
“The intersection of history and psychology is gaining increasing attention in psychological research, but there remains a need for more studies in this area, particularly those that consider ancient history rather than focusing solely on recent historical events and epochs,” said study author Martin Obschonka, a professor of entrepreneurship at University of Amsterdam.
“We focused on the Roman macro-psychological imprint because there is substantial anecdotal evidence of the Roman legacy in Germany, particularly in the southern regions that were occupied and developed by the Romans around 2,000 years ago. Our study is among the first to systematically examine the correlation between Roman rule and present-day regional outcomes. In fact, it is the first study to investigate an effect of Roman rule on contemporary macro-psychological outcomes related to health and well-being.”
“There has been significant discussion about the historical imprint of the Berlin Wall—the border between West and East Germany that divided the country between 1961 and 1989,” Obschonka explained. “Even more than 35 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, a substantial socio-economic divide persists along its former course. In this new study, we explored whether, in addition to the Berlin Wall, the much older Roman Limes—an ancient frontier wall that separated German regions under Roman rule from the “barbarian” Germanic tribes—also left a lasting legacy as a socio-economic divide.”
“Finally, our study aimed to assess the enduring influence of ancient history, including major events and epochs, on today’s macro-psychological landscape and how these historical imprints continue to shape the lives of millions of people. We combined psychological, historical, and geographical approaches to investigate whether the Roman Limes wall is still ‘visible’ in the contemporary macro-psychological landscape.”
The researchers employed a spatial regression discontinuity design to investigate the long-term psychological and well-being effects of Roman rule in Germany. This quasi-experimental approach allowed researchers to compare regions that were historically part of the Roman Empire with neighboring regions that were not, focusing on areas near the Roman border, known as the Limes. By examining this natural boundary, the researchers minimized the influence of unrelated factors, such as geography or climate, that could otherwise confound the results.
To measure psychological traits, the researchers utilized personality data from the Gosling-Potter Internet Project, which collected responses from over 73,000 participants between 2003 and 2015. Participants completed a standardized Big Five Inventory questionnaire assessing traits like extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism, conscientiousness, and openness. These responses were aggregated at the regional level. Health and well-being outcomes, including life satisfaction, health satisfaction, and life expectancy, were drawn from the German Socioeconomic Panel and official life expectancy statistics.
The researchers incorporated historical data to evaluate the potential role of Roman infrastructure. They mapped the density of Roman roads, as well as the locations of ancient Roman markets and mines, to assess the extent of economic investment in different regions. The analysis also included a comprehensive set of control variables, such as soil quality, proximity to major rivers, and historical economic activities, to ensure that the results specifically reflected the influence of Roman rule.
The analysis revealed significant differences in personality traits and well-being outcomes between regions that were part of the Roman Empire and those that were not. Residents of former Roman regions scored higher on extraversion and agreeableness, lower on neuroticism, and exhibited better overall psychological well-being. These areas also showed greater life and health satisfaction and longer life expectancies, with Roman influence accounting for an average six-month increase in life expectancy.
“Ancient history may have a greater influence on the psychology of today’s populations than previously believed,” Obschonka told PsyPost. “Although Roman rule ended around 2,000 years ago, its legacy can still be observed in the present-day macro-psychological landscape. Not only is the Berlin Wall a fateful border for Germany, but the Roman Limes wall also represents a significant historical divide. Even when accounting for more recent historical factors, we find that regions developed by Roman civilization exhibit more adaptive personality patterns. These regions also show better health and psychological well-being today.”
Economic infrastructure played a critical role in these outcomes. The researchers found that modern economic prosperity mediated the relationship between Roman rule and present-day outcomes. Regions that benefitted from Roman infrastructure experienced sustained economic growth, which fostered psychological well-being and adaptive personality traits. This highlights how ancient economic advantages can create enduring cycles of development.
“Additional analyses suggest that Roman investments in economic institutions—such as trade infrastructure, including Roman roads, markets, and mines—played a pivotal role in creating this long-term effect,” Obschonka explained. “Collectively, these findings demonstrate how ancient cultures can leave a macro-psychological legacy that continues to contribute to present-day regional inequalities. The role of economic institutional investments in establishing a persistent comparative regional advantage appears to be critical for this cultural imprint.”
While the study sheds light on the long-term effects of Roman rule, it has limitations. The reliance on modern data means the study cannot fully trace the evolution of these effects across centuries. Future research could explore other mechanisms through which Roman rule influenced regional psychology, such as cultural transmission and social norms. Expanding the study to other regions influenced by the Roman Empire, like France or Italy, could provide a broader understanding of how ancient civilizations shape modern populations.
“We study long historical periods—spanning two millennia—which makes it challenging to account for every historical mechanism and event relevant to the emergence and persistence of regional macro-psychological differences,” Obschonka noted. “For example, we are unable to fully account for the complex migration patterns that have occurred throughout history.”
The long-term goal is “to test the link between ancient history and present-day psychology, as well as geographical and macro-psychological patterns,” he added. “Are today’s personalities and mindsets rooted in events and epochs from ancient history? Do today’s populations still think and behave in ways influenced by ancient historical legacies that persist and evolve across historical epochs?”
The study, “Roma Eterna? Roman Rule Explains Regional Well-Being Divides in Germany,” was authored by Martin Obschonka, Fabian Wahl, Michael Fritsch Michael Wyrwich, P. Jason Rentfrow, Jeff Potter, and Samuel D. Gosling.
