The history of the Roman Empire can be divided into three distinct periods: The Period of Kings (625-510 BC), Republican Rome (510-31 BC), and Imperial Rome (31 BC – AD 476). Rome continued to expand through the Republican Period and gained control over the entire Italian peninsula by 338 BC. It was the Punic Wars from 264-146 BC, along with some conflicts with Greece, that allowed Rome to take control of Carthage and Corinth and thus become the dominant maritime power in the Mediterranean. In this brand-new episode, Will invites Professor Edward Watts, professor of history at the University of California, San Diego to join the show. He is the The author and editor of several prize-winning books. His new book is called "The Romans. A 2000 Year history."