Complex sentence: The birthplace of Western thought began in ancient Greece, with its democratic system of government and major advances in philosophy, science, and mathematics, and was followed by Rome, which made key contributions in law, government, engineering and political organisation.
Split into simpler sentences: The birthplace of Western thought began in ancient Greece, with its democratic system of government and major advances in philosophy, science, and mathematics. The Greeks were followed by Rome, which made key contributions in law, government, engineering and political organisation.