[the OlLine Rebel]

The Romans were not “Italians”. Already stated.

Note how much of that “genius” disappeared after the Roman Empire. Gradual build-up over the millenia just as in the rest of Europe.

[nopardons]

They weren't; what were they..Chinese, Hun, Egyptian?

Pssssssssssssssssssssst...the "Romans" were invaders, long, long, LONG before their grand Empire; they conquered the Sabines, displaced and wiped out the Etruscans, and Romulus & Remus never did "found" Rome!

Note how much of every nation's innovative, genius class went dark, during the the fall of both the East and West Roman Empire; if said nations even had any such people!

Still and all, belittling ancient and present day Italians is just plain old dumb; not to mention inaccurate and uneducated.

The "four horsemen of the Apocalypse" has taken its toll on most places, from time to time.

How about how all of the inventiveness and energy suddenly departed China, long, long, loooooooooooooooooooong ago, for example?

[Albion Wilde]

Note how much of that “genius” disappeared after the Roman Empire. Gradual build-up over the millenia just as in the rest of Europe.

Guessing they left because of the high taxes the empire needed to keep the panem et circenses going for all the immigrant laborers. Some things never change.