Four American professors vividly narrate the story of Ancient Rome, which grew from a small village on the banks of the Tiber to become an empire controlling the kingdoms of the Mediterranean from Armenia and Persia down to Judea in the east, and from the British Isles to the Iberian Peninsula and the northern shores of Africa.

The recounting of events, alongside images and maps, extends to the 5th century A.D., including the last years of the Western Empire and the Renaissance of Rome in the East.

For the reader wondering what made such a vast empire, the largest the Mediterranean ever knew, endure for a full 600 years, the answer lies in the ideological framework that supported Rome's claims.

Rome made sure to spread among its provincial subjects that the Roman spirit was not foreign to their identity and that it served their interests. It aimed to instill in the various peoples living within the empire's territories that they all shared a common goal.

And when this sense faded, it was inevitable that its fall would follow, accelerated by barbarian invasions. The transfer of Rome to Constantinople, in order to survive, was a one-way street.

The Byzantines were fully aware of the reasons that led them to call themselves Romans, as they considered themselves the continuers and heirs of the traditions of Romulus, Camillus, Augustus, and Constantine the Great.

Without any exaggeration, the captivating writing of the authors could easily serve as a movie script, transporting the reader through time with historical accuracy in a way that truly enchants...