Tin Toy figures featuring Romans & Greeks: They often matched in terms of culture, partly because of the Greeks sometimes voluntarily or involuntarily fought in Rome and there was much influence on both from each. Greek cities like Ephesus or Athens flourished during the long era of peace (Pax Romana) more than ever. Though Greek, cities like Ephesus were not explicitly distinctive from Roman cities. The Greeks built roads to connect two specific cities. Government: The Romans created an empire that lasted 500 years. The Greek civilization was a collection of city-states, and were not united under one central government until they were conquered by Alexander the Great.