[balrog666]

Nope. The west refers to the western hemisphere, i.e., Europe and, by extension, the Americas. Western Rome vs the Eastern Empire was a later division. Gee, you ever heard of the Greeks, WOSG? How about any earlier groups?

Oh, and, since you like Rome, how many official religions did the Romans have?

[Markofhumanfeet]

Oh, and, since you like Rome, how many official religions did the Romans have?

Just one, Baalism

[WOSG]

Uh, on defining 'the west', take it up with Toynbee.

Still waiting on this major western religion other than Christianity that has been *so* intrumental we have to give it equal time in schools ....

Mithra? LOL... Baal? ROFL. that was the real Philistinism; yes, likely Carthage not Rome. All minor stuff compared to the importe Greek Gods that Rome worshipped before Christianity came along ... all the ancient cults were swept aside like a horse-and-buggy against a Pontiac GTO ...

Boy are you guys slow!

In 315 AD Constantine saw a Cross in the sky and Christianity, previously persecuted became the official religion of Rome. Hence, 1700 years of Christianity influencing western civilization.

The runner up??? Okay class, here it is: Judaism!

And #3? Islam. The Moors, barbary pirates, Ottomans.

So, tell you what. We can just use the Genesis story and cover all three in one plonk.