In a time of frequent invasions and competition among warring tribes, the ancient cities of the Roman Empire stood as pillars of strength, beauty, and sophistication. Across the empire, these cities provided the grounds for a flourish of cultural activity among the diverse civilizations brought together under Roman law. If much of the art and architecture now considered Roman in origin actually owes its inspiration to other advanced societies that preceded it, what features of our own modern cities do we then owe to the ingenuity of the Romans?--From container.