Many people think that America is the world's longest-running self-ruled empire, but that is not so. The Roman Empire survived for approximately 1,163 years; by contrast the United States gained its independence a mere 230 years ago. What was its secret? What was so special about Ancient Rome that allowed it to go on for eleven and a half centuries under self-rule"

To answer those questions, one must first consider the people of ancient Rome. By ancient standards, Rome had an enormous population; as many as one and a half million people. Since those people basically had no rights, a problem arose: the government had to do something to keep them content and prevent revolt. The solution came from the emperor Vespasian when he built the Roman Coliseum.

It was at the Coliseum, watching the gladiatorial games that the citizens of Rome spent most of their time. These games were...