Interesting, I wouldn't have thought the Romans were that influenced by the Chinese empire, I knew of the silk road and the cost of silk. But my understanding was the middle men between both nations jacking up the price combined with the long distance materials needed to travel.

That said I agree that a large proportion of Roman culture was influenced by the Greeks, but couldn't the same thing be said (to a much lesser extent of course) of the US and the British; Both countries have a shared history, a common language, an overlap in religious beliefs and legal principles.

My point being each empire builds off the previous one and with advancement in technologies and the reduction in degrees of separation, the ability to propagate an empire's culture increases. America is hugely influential, but a part of that is they are the current world power in a world with the internet, being able to travel anywhere in the world in less than a day and most people being able to speak English.

This is not an attempt to undermine America's achievements, they are a world power for a reason, but it's my belief that powers following their fall will overtake them in cultural influence.

Would love to read your reply, personally love a good discussion about random shit like this.