The Roman Republic was a major world power for years. However, it eventually fell and was replaced by the Roman Empire, which then endured for another few centuries. In this volume, readers learn about the history of ancient Rome, with a focus on the main factors that contributed to the Roman Republic's collapse: income inequality, civil wars, and corrupt politicians. The engaging main text is augmented by an in-depth timeline, and full-color photographs bring this unique civilization to life. Informative sidebars highlight interesting facts, and a glossary of new terms gives readers a better understanding of ancient Rome.