Rome was originally a group of small huts on a hilltop, but it went on to become the most important city in the largest empire the world had ever seen.

The Romans were brilliant inventors, responsible for the development of newspapers, concrete, surgeons' tools and even an efficient postal system. Their buildings were remarkable, with many surviving to this day, and their army appeared invincible.

So why eventually did the whole empire come crashing down?

Find out what life in Ancient Rome was actually like while also discovering how Roman culture and ingenuity continues to influence our world today.

From the winner of the Blue Peter Book Award