Examines how the Roman Empire linked Western Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa into a commercial and political unit based on their cities. Macaulay visits historical sites throughout the once great Roman Empire, and tells how the structures were built and used. In animated segments, he tells the story of the construction and conflicts of a fictional Roman City in the newly conquered territory of Gaul. Includes visits to Pompeii, Herculaneum, Ostia, Nimes, Orange, and Rome to view actual Roman architecture and engineering greatness.