8/8 The second section opens with the Punic wars; it embraces the rapid extension of the dominion of Rome up to and beyond the natural boundaries of Italy, the long status quo of the imperial period, and the collapse of the mighty empire. These events will be narrated in the third and following books. The dates as hereafter inserted in the text are years of the City (A.U.C.); those in the margin give the corresponding years B.C.. |