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Administering such a cast empire was a difficult, if not impossible task. Economic and social problems undermined the institutions. On the fringes of the Empire, personal ambition and inspirations to independence on the part of the conquered territories threatened the central power. The fate of the Roman superpower now depended on its legions: more and more legions were created, and the army became an increasing financial drain on the Empire's resources.

By the second century AD, the Roman army was all-powerful-a well-organised, highly experienced corps of men who played a crucial role in "Romanising" the conquered territories, taking part in the building of Roman roads, aqueducts and amphitheatres. When they retired, they were given lands and helped found new towns pattered on the Roman model. The Empire had become an assimilation machine. 90,000 kilometres of road linked Rime to its most far-flung cities.

Pompeii - where the eruption of Mount Vesuvius literally fossilised a moment in time, Although the latest excavation provide further proof of the magnificence of the Roman Empire, they also shoe how its hedonistic way of life contained the seeds of he moral decay of Rome.