| Rome has been synonymous with mythology since | | | | continent. The defeat of France was a significant |
| the birth of civilisation. Few places around the world | | | | conquest and Caesar felt time was right to fulfil his |
| conjure such colourful legends. Since the dawn of time | | | | destiny. |
| itself, Rome has appeared to have had a say in | | | | Having marched his army into Rome, Caesar declared |
| almost everything that has occurred. | | | | himself Dictator for Life, commencing his reign over the |
| The Roman Empire had a huge influence on the | | | | largest empire the world has seen to this day. His rule |
| course of European art and culture. Lasting | | | | came to an abrupt end in 44 BC following his |
| impressions of Roman architecture have survived right | | | | assassination. |
| up to the present day, from the ruins of the | | | | Several years passed before his adopted son |
| Colosseum at the epicentre of Rome itself, to far | | | | Augustus stood forward and succeeded his father as |
| western corners of Europe including the city of Bath in | | | | leader. He declared himself emperor of Rome in 27 |
| England, named after its Roman baths. | | | | BC. |
| The origins of Rome are said to date back to 753 BC | | | | By the end of the 4th century the empire was in |
| and the notorious twins Romulus and Remus. Sons of | | | | decline; the map of Europe was changing. One by one, |
| Mars and a Vestal Virgin, the two warring brothers | | | | Roman outpost settlements were defeated. |
| conceived rival communities, forever at one anothers | | | | Barbarians from beyond the Danube and the Rhine |
| throats. | | | | were attacking villages with an increasing amount of |
| Eventually the hostilities came to a head and Romulus | | | | success. When the final emperor relinquished his post |
| killed his brother Remus. Freed from his brother's | | | | in 476 BC the Empire had fallen forever. |
| shackles, Romulus endeavoured to dominate civilisation | | | | The fall of the Roman Empire has spawned many |
| and the city of Rome was built. | | | | theories as to how the world's greatest power fell to |
| Centuries later another great leader emerged to take | | | | its knees. One interesting theory suggests the |
| the reins of the Roman Empire. General Julius Caesar | | | | extensive use of lead in their plumbing may have |
| had come through the army ranks and coveted the | | | | poisoned their drinking water to the extent of causing |
| position of leader of the Empire. | | | | infertility. |
| Caesar had spent his time marching his armies across | | | | Whatever the reason, the face of Europe changed |
| Europe, defeating his hosts along the way and | | | | forever, heralding the dawn of a new age. |
| expanding Rome's territorial domination of the | | | | |