All roads lead to Rome. Or they did. What had started as a small town on the Tiber River in central Italy would eventually grow to become a vast empire covering most of the known world, including England, western Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia. Although the Roman Empire fell in the 5th century, many of its accomplishments live on in our modern world. Readers will learn about the advancements Rome made in politics, architecture, law, and the arts. Accessible text is paired with full-color photographs, maps, and biographies of important historical figures.