Intro. The Roman Empire was a war, engineering and political machine that shaped the Western world. Imagine a territory that went from Europe to North Africa and the Middle East, all connected by stone roads and governed by a single man. Here is the summary of what the Empire was: Power and Politics The Emperor: He was the supreme chief, commander of the army and often seen as a divine figure. Although the Senate existed, the Emperor had the final say. Roman Peace: For about 200 years, the empire experienced an era of relative stability, which allowed commerce and culture to flourish without constant civil wars. Society and Everyday Life Class Division: At the top were the nobles and landowners. Below, ordinary citizens (workers and artisans) and, at the base, a huge population of slaves who made the economy run. Bread and Circus: To prevent the poor masses from revolting against the government, the State distributed free wheat and organized