How did a small Italian city-state expand into a Mediterranean hegemon and what mechanisms sustained its longevity and eventual transformation? Greg Woolf, a professor of classics and ancient history, synthesizes archaeological evidence, literary sources, and modern historiography to examine the Roman experience. He argues that the empire was not a static entity but a dynamic, evolving system defined by its capacity to integrate diverse populations and adapt its administrative structures over centuries.

Experts recognize this work as a comprehensive, high-level synthesis of Roman history that balances academic rigor with accessibility. Readers frequently note that the prose is dense but rewarding, offering a clear framework for understanding the complexities of imperial governance and social change.