Bridge Over the Rhine.

Rome's colossal architecture spanned three continents and unleashed the power and promise of the world's most technologically advanced civilization. While the Romans dominated the landscape with massive feats of destruction, they were ultimately powerless to prevent their own self-destruction. March 15, 44 B.C. Julius Caesar dies. As a general, he more than doubled the Empire. As a politician, he rose to power as an emperor and established an empire that would last for centuries. As an …

…expanded the reach of Roman influence. His consolation of power marked the death of the Roman Republic and the birth of an empire in which tyrannical emperors could rule with absolute power. Some would use their power to build magnificent marvels. The vanity, excess, and ignorance of other would push the empire on the brink of destruction. Through it all, Rome would grow into the most powerful and advanced civilization the world had ever seen.