The Roman Empire was important for its feats of law, engineering, and political organization. The first important element of Roman history in terms of its lasting influence on the future would be its institution of the Republican system of governance, in which unlike the Greek democracy, people elected representatives rather than voting directly. Starting with the twelve tablets and continuing through the Justinian codes, the Romans developed a complex and far reaching legal system that is the basis for many modern western systems of law. Finally, Rome was expert in civil engineering, creating road and aqueduct networks that survive to the present day.