The great Roman senator and historian Publius Cornelius Tacitus once stated: “Great empires are not maintained by timidity.“ The Roman Empire is certainly proof of that, ruling its territories and borders with ferocity and efficiency to become one of the most iconic and memorable empires of all time. At its largest it’s thought the empire included 50-60 million inhabitants – and these are just the conservative estimates, as recent research puts the total number of inhabitants in a range between 70 and 100 million people. While the sheer age of the empire – which started as a kingdom and then a republic – makes researching life in ancient Rome a difficult task, it is helped by the fact that the Romans made great efforts to document their way of life and their military success. In fact, the roots of modern civilisation can be found in ancient Rome, and its rich culture, romantic mythology and intricate political systems still intrigue and inspire people today. Discover more about the rise and fall of the proud empire that has managed to stand the test of time and become a legendary civilisation inside.