About the book: 2007 / 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, an 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 the spiritual highs and bloody dramas that are so abundant in Roman history. Moreover, the lessons of Rome are sometimes surprisingly consonant with the challenges of our time…