ROMAN EMPIRE (TOEFL integrated essay) The reading and the lecture are both about wealth and power of Roman Empire during Classical Antiquity period. The author of the reading passage points out that the reasons of wealthy of Roman Empire are big and good skilled army, powerful emperors and high taxes. These three reasons, according to the reading allowed Roman Empire be wealthy, however the lecturer refutes all these points. First of all, the reading claims that Roman army was very powerful and skilled because the soldiers were professionals and volunteered for 20 years. However, this point is rebutted by the lecturer. He says that Roman army consisted of people who had different nationality. When this multinational army went to the operation, for example to conquer the neighbors, some of these soldiers were from these countries, therefore they were not able to serve properly. Second reason, according to the reading is power of Roman emperor who could lead all Empire very successfully. On the other hand, the lecturer cast doubt this claim. He feels that after death of the emperor, his power vanished until the new emperor appeared. Therefore, time between old and new emperor was very dangerous for Empire. Finally, the reading passage claims that wealth of Roman Empire was maintained by high taxes. The lecturer refutes this point, by saying that in the past time the treasures from conquered neighbors were not common occurance, so emperor needed to increase taxes. This situation was hardly liked by ordinary people. Therefore, ordinary people hated emperor and eventually it was one of the reasons why the great Roman Empire disintegrated.