Wealthy Romans learned a lot from their neighbors just to the west. Educated by the Greek philosophers, they built on their progress, improved their republic and grew the most powerful empire the world has ever known.

      Although the rise of Rome came by conquest, their comfort would eventually lead to their fall. When Rome was at its peak, it was believed they would rule the world forever. That very belief would become their Achilles heel.

      Poor leadership, a paid military and a failing economy combined with a decline for the value of life was a recipe for disaster. Their spiral downward led to a dark age that consumed the entire known world before giving rise to the Renaissance.