Explain · Like I'm five version
The Roman Empire in terms of a supermarket taking over the high street
The Roman Empire is just like a big supermarket opening a new shop on every single street corner.
First, the Romans sent out their soldiers to find new lands, just like a shop manager looks for a empty building to rent. Once they arrived, they built straight roads and fancy water pipes, which is basically the same as laying out the aisles and making sure the milk fridge is working perfectly. Everyone living nearby soon found that the Romans had all the best things, like shiny new coins and very comfy sandals. It was much easier to just pop into their store than to stay at home and make your own dinner from scratch.
Before long, the Roman store grew so big that it had branches in Spain, France, and all the way to Britain. They made everyone speak Latin instead of their own language, much like how a shop puts the same bright signs up in every window so you always know where the apples are. They charged a tax on everything, which is just like paying a bit extra for a fancy meal deal at the checkout. The manager in Rome got so busy keeping track of all the different shops that he started to run out of gold to pay his workers.
Eventually, the big store became way too wide and messy to keep clean. The staff got tired of walking so far to deliver the bread, and the local people stopped wanting to shop there. Some people from other places came along and took over the shelves because the Roman managers had forgotten how to guard the door. The whole thing closed down, leaving behind just some broken stone pillars and a few old recipes for pasta.
Where the analogy breaks downA supermarket is owned by a company, whereas an empire is a state with citizens, soldiers and laws.