What made the Roman Empire a superpower in ancient times? Is it only military power? Why was the culture of Ancient Rome, even a thousand years after its fall, perceived as an “eternal” heritage, the unshakable foundation of European civilization? The author of this book does not simply explore the past of the late Roman Republic and the emergence of the imperial idea; Tom Holland's deeply felt insight into the subject allowed him to create an epic panorama of spiritual highs and bloody dramas, of which there are so many in Roman history. Moreover, the lessons of Rome are sometimes surprisingly consonant with the challenges of our time...