Imperialism and the motivations behind it are a controversial and complex subject. But what powers the formation of an empire? Is it the fundamental urge to strike out into uncharted territory to discover "brave new worlds"? The sheer need for more territory? The desire to spread cultural, political, and religious influences? Or a straightforward lust for conquest, dominance, and plunder?

From the age of antiquity, the desire of powerful civilizations to enlarge their territory and spread their influence has inflicted death, destruction, and oppressive regimes on countless millions around the globe and deprived them of their rightful territory. Empires are also frequently underpinned by slavery. But empires have also served to open up new worlds and promote new cultures and led to vibrant interaction between different civilizations. In some cases, imperial expansion has begun almost innocently, as voyages of exploration and trading networks led to settlement, colonization, and then conquest. The degree of control exerted over various imperial possessions could also vary enormously: Some might be allowed to practice self-government while others remained firmly under the imperial yoke and were mercilessly robbed of their land and wealth.

A fascinating accompaniment to the documentary series Engineering an Empire, hosted by actor and academic Peter Weller, this book examines aspects of imperial rule from ancient Egypt right up to the twilight days of the British Empire. It looks at how the wealth of the ancient Egyptians enabled them to expand their territory; how ancient Greece spread its influence and became the cradle of Western civilization; how the mighty Roman Empire evolved into its cultural and spiritual successor, the Byzantine Empire; and more.