To discover the full story of Rome's rise to become the mightiest empire the world has known and the astounding little-known facts about how it fell into utter ruin, keep reading.It is probably the greatest story in all history: how the people in a tiny village on the Tiber River took over the entire known world of its day and developed brilliant literature, buildings, armies, roads, and laws that we still talk about thousands of years later.This great empire was strong and invincible at its height, yet it eventually fell. How was that possible? Did these great people become soft? Were the rulers too greedy? Were the tens of thousands of their slaves a poor economic foundation for long-term survival? Did the astounding depravity and public debauchery of some of their best-known emperors undermine the moral presence and force of Rome?In careful detail, this book will let you understand the remarkable, little-known reasons behind the breathtaking rise of Rome. And also, exactly how and why this truly great civilization collapsed to the wonder and astonishment of all those looking on at the time.Here's just a small sample of what you are about to discover: The ruthless, highly effective legions of Rome were feared across the known world, yet at times, they were beaten in battle. You will learn how this happened.Did Emperor Nero actually play the fiddle while Rome burned? How much of Rome caught fire at that time? Why was the fire brigade unable to put it out? Did Christians start the inferno? Find out the truth about this remarkable event.Watch as Hannibal crosses the Alps with elephants. See Julius Caesar cross the Rubicon. Be dazzled by the love affair of Cleopatra and Mark Anthony. It's all here, woven into the history of the empire.Find out the average age of a gladiator, discover that women were also gladiators, and be astounded that even emperors stepped into the arena and fought.Rome was said to have been founded by two brothers who were brought up by a wolf. See if there is some truth in the legend.Examine the true, unseen workings of Rome's early democratic system and find out if ordinary citizens actually had a voice in their government.Be amazed at how astute some of Rome's best emperors were.Learn about the little-known organization of Rome's suburbs, plus how the houses and roads were actually built.Romans ate half a million tons of wheat each year. See where this huge supply of grain came from and how it was brought to the city from the othe