Why was Rome portrayed as a beacon of civiIization when it reaIIy was unciviIized?

Rome was run by barbarians. The ruling class maintained order by killing people in gruesome ways and enslaving human beings by the millions. They robbed, raped, swindled, stole, and looted in a way that would make Hitler look like an amateur. True, they had some cool technology and a genius for organization, but most roman citizens were destitute, corrupt, superstitious, uneducated drunkards bought off by 'bread and circuses'. The 'high class' Romans weren't much better. Anyone who isn't totally disgusted with these creeps needs therapy. Rome had a very small wealthy criminal class backed up by a massive military and secret police organization. In that respect they we're no different from the various thugocracies of their day and today. They were a disgusting nasty people.