THE ancient Roman Empire left a living legacy across Europe. The relics of Roman law defined property, contracts, and crimes for that continent and much of the rest of the world. Memories of political unity encouraged European federalists for centuries. The language of Rome survived, provided the literature of the written book, and created a European community of learning. But this legacy that united the culture of Europe also divided the communities of Europe. For all over the continent there were two-language communities.
