When Rome became a republic at the end of the sixth century BC, it was a small state of no consequence compared to the major Mediterranean states of the day. By the time of Augustus in the early first century AD it was the major regional power, and well on its way to building the enormous empire for which is it so well known today. Much of that rise occurred during the third and second centuries BC (the period covered by this set), when it was victorious against its rivals, most famously Carthage and their allies.