The Roman Empire at the pinnacle of its power and glory encompassed an area stretching from Scotland in Europe to the lower portions of the Nile River and part of Sudan and from the borders of the Inner Eurasian steppe in the Caucasus and Ukraine to the Atlantic shores of North Africa. The Mediterranean conquest resulted in unrivalled concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few men within the elite circle. The Romans had organized themselves into a state which took the form of a republic referred to as res publica or the “public thing”. The Roman Republic had a distinct governmental structure wherein the Senate and popular assemblies constituted from among the citizens was responsible for issuing policies.