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The Roman Empire was the post-Roman Republic period of the ancient Roman civilization. Ruled by emperors, it had large territorial holdings around the Mediterranean Sea in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and the Caucasus. The Roman Empire was then ruled by multiple emperors and divided in a Western Roman Empire. Rome remained the nominal capital of both parts until 476 AD, when Odoacer dethroned Romulus Augustus after capturing Ravenna. The Romans were prodigious builders and expert civil engineers, and their thriving civilization produced advances in technology, culture and architecture that remained unequaled for centuries, and have created several inventions still used today.