By the second century AD, the Roman army was all-powerful-a well-organised, highly experienced corps of men who played a crucial role in "Romanising" the conquered territories, taking part in the building of Roman roads, aqueducts and amphitheatres. When they retired, they were given lands and helped found new towns pattered on the Roman model. The Empire had become an assimilation machine. 90,000 kilometres of road linked Rime to its most far-flung cities.