The Rise of the Roman EmpireIn writing his account of the relentless growth of the Roman Empire, the Greek statesman Polybius set out to help his fellow countrymen understand how their world came to be dominated by Rome. Opening with the Punic War in 264 BC, he records the critical stages of Roman expansion its campaigns throughout the Mediterranean, the temporary setbacks inflicted by Hannibal, and the final destruction of Carthage in 146 BC. An active participant in