Why do you think aspects of Roman law and government continue to guide nations today?

The key principles of Roman civil law have provided the foundation of the civil laws of many modern countries. These are: citizenship status and citizenship rights, equality under the law, the right to have a proper trial and to defend oneself, the right to appeal, that the burden of proof rests on the accuser and not on the accused, that it is the exact form of actions and not intentions or Words which is punishable, that a law deemed unreasonable or unfair can be repealed, and that no Roman citizen should be tortured.