The civilizations of ancient India had their own different governments. In the Indus Valley Civilization, priest kings were at the head of government. The Maurya Empire boasted a stable, centralized government that allowed the flourishing of trade and culture. That government had weakened by the time of the Gupta Empire, opening the gates to foreign invaders and civil wars. This informative volume charts the changes in leadership in ancient India...

The Romans really profited from geography. Rome had a pleasant climate, rich soil, natural defenses, and easy access to the Mediterranean. It was the perfect spot from which to conquer the known world. Readers learn how Rome used its geographical advantages to launch an empire filled with extensive road and aqueduct systems and towns designed in its own image.