Around 2 000 years ago, the city of Rome was at the centre of a huge empire that stretched from Scotland to Syria.

At the peak of its power, Rome ruled more than 45 million people across Europe, North Africa and Asia. Its army was the most powerful in the world, and as it conquered more land, Rome grew from a town into an enormous capital.

Ancient Rome was home to gleaming white marble temples, lavish palaces and spectacular gladiator shows. With over one million people living there, the city was also a dirty and dangerous place, with a maze of side-streets and slums.

Click on the red dots on the map below which shows the Roman Empire at its peak.