from...http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00wsqk6 
in the last of the series, archaeologist and historian richard miles examines the rise and fall of
the roman empire.
at the height of its power, the roman empire extended the benefits of its civilization to a 60
million citizens and subjects in a swathe of territory that extended from hadrian's wall to the
banks of the euphrates. even under the rule of mad, bad and dangerous emperors, the imperial system
proved to be robust, buttressed by the support of elite families in the far-flung corners of the
empire whose loyalty was ensured by a system of cultural aspiration, economic opportunity and
military coercion.
but the material benefits of the 'good order' delivered by roman rule provided its citizens and
subjects with the security to ask profound questions about the meaning of life, questions that the
pragmatic, polytheistic roman belief system was ill-equipped to answer. christianity grew to fill
the spiritual vacuum at the heart of roman civilization, eventually claiming an emperor,
constantine, as its greatest prize. the city of man would be eclipsed the city of god.
in the last of the series, archaeologist and historian richard miles examines the rise and fall of
the roman empire.
at the height of its power, the roman empire extended the benefits of its civilization to a 60
million citizens and subjects in a swathe of territory that extended from hadrian's wall to the
banks of the euphrates. even under the rule of mad, bad and dangerous emperors, the imperial system
proved to be robust, buttressed by the support of elite families in the far-flung corners of the
empire whose loyalty was ensured by a system of cultural aspiration, economic opportunity and
military coercion.
but the material benefits of the 'good order' delivered by roman rule provided its citizens and
subjects with the security to ask profound questions about the meaning of life, questions that the
pragmatic, polytheistic roman belief system was ill-equipped to answer. christianity grew to fill
the spiritual vacuum at the heart of roman civilization, eventually claiming an emperor,
constantine, as its greatest prize. the city of man would be eclipsed the city of god.
