The Roman Empire: Introduction (01:25)

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This episode examines one of the largest empires in world history and its influence.

Paestum, Italy: 600 BC (01:47)

The Greeks established colonies in Italy. Rome borrowed and adapted many elements of Greek culture.

Appian Way, Italy: 264 BC (03:09)

Engineering and slavery were integral to the Roman Empire. The road connected Rome to Brindisi; 6,000 slaves were crucified along an 80-mile stretch. The empire encompassed 70 million people at its height.

Battle of Alesia: 52 BC (03:27)

Julius Caesar besieged the city and built fortifications. His victory over the Gauls earned him 20 days of thanksgiving from the Roman Senate. Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC.

The Forum: 509 BC-476 AD (07:58)

Many important structures were located on or near the public area. Octavian declared war against Antony and Cleopatra and became emperor; he rebuilt Rome and created a bureaucracy. Conquest was an intrinsic aspect of Roman values; Augustus set a trend of pillaging obelisks.

Tropaeum Alpium: 6 BC (01:06)

The monument signified Augusts' victory, Roman power, and Roman protection; Augustus was revered across the empire.

Theater of Merida: 16 BC (02:25)

Agrippa ordered the theater's construction; it underwent several restorations over the centuries. Roman theaters were built on their own foundations and completely enclosed. Merida boasted several Roman engineering projects.

Circus Maximus: 20 BC (02:45)

The arena was specifically designed for chariot racing and could accommodate up to 250,000 spectators. The Romans often built aqueducts and a forum with a temple.

Maison Carrée: 2 AD (05:29)

Augustus ordered the construction of several public buildings in Gaul. The Temple of Bacchus was a model of neoclassical architecture. Augustus' death ushered in a turbulent period. The Colosseum engineered support for the Flavians.

Colosseum, Rome: 70-80 AD (03:40)

The freestanding Flavian Amphitheater accommodated 80,000 spectators and had 78 entrances; it solidified the Lex Julia Theatralis. The Romans constructed amphitheaters across their empire.

Arch of Titus: 82 AD (04:00)

The Romans introduced the victory arch. Emperor Domitian ordered the commemoration of Titus sacking Jerusalem; the arch became a model for others. Rome entered a period of governance by five good emperors; Hadrian was responsible for many building projects.

The Pantheon: 27 BC-126 AD (02:47)

Hadrian claimed credit for rebuilding the structure originally constructed by Agrippa; its dome became the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome. The Romans also directed architectural skills toward civic functions.

Pont Du Gard: 40-60 AD (01:59)

The aqueduct was the highest bridge constructed by the Romans and originally part of a 31 mile canal. The aqueduct delivered water to Nîmes.

Baths of Caracalla: 216 AD (03:40)

An aqueduct delivered water to the thermae that accommodated 1,600 bathers. Many Roman sites across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East were built during the rule of Emperor Trajan. The Roman Empire experienced growing pressures after the death of Marcus Aurelius.

Arch of Constantine: 315 AD (05:17)

Constantine erected the arch next to the Colosseum, introduced Christianity as the new state religion, and moved the capital to Constantinople. The Roman Empire fell in the west but survived in the east. Roman architecture created a visual language; sites became popular tourist destinations.

Credits: The Roman Empire (00:38)

Credits: The Roman Empire