I would say rome since it was the beginning of the Republic before the punic wars began
<span>The United States Revenue Act of 1926, 44 Stat. 9, reduced inheritance and personal income taxes, cancelled many excise imposts, eliminated the gift tax and ended public access to federal income tax returns.</span>
Looking back at history let's you see what didn't work and what will come in the future. Let's say I am looking for a way to stop viruses on computers, I would look back and see where viruses attacked, what their intent was and fixed vulnerabilities that have not been fixed.