[ WP ] Modern civilization is wiped out , but in the future legends remain of the highly-advanced ancient civilization .

`` Quiet, Qunitus.'' Brutus stood at the helm of the class, his armoured hand gripping the marbled podium. His naked hand was resting on the steam engine's lever. `` We will discuss the histories of old during next period; the Imperator insists that this demonstration takes place within the allocated break time.'' 
 
 
 Quintus fell back into silence, as had the rest of the class. They had been taking in the large mechanical wonder behind their professor, pondering what it could possibly be. Brutus pushed the lever into position, revealing two massive infernos beneath the twin chambers resting on the iron platforms. The class gasped at the hidden fires, some edging away, while others edged closer. Within minutes of the reveal, steam began billowing out of exhaust vents as the four giant gears started to turn in unison. From overhead, light began to pour into the room - startling the students. 
 
 
 `` Do you understand what has just happened?'' Brutus took no time to wait for an answer, assuming the class understood rhetorical nature of his question. `` The steam generated by the boiling of the water in the twin cauldrons was forced through a series of pipes and propellers, which in turn drove the gears to turn.'' Brutus walked over to the machine and pointed at the central gear pair, without taking a moment ’ s break from his speech. `` These two gears each drove the smaller gear beneath them to move the iron rods attached in such a manner that they wound the roof up. As you may have noticed, the roof has been replaced with collapsible bronze plating, to allow for such an event as this.'' 
 
 
 None of the students understood the implications of a functioning steam engine, but the display had been completed, which was all Brutus cared for. His position was not to showcase the Imperator's power, but to teach the youth of the empire the knowledge needed to separate them from the uncivilized heathens from which every direction was saturated with. `` If you have any questions, you may ask Professor Alexander, for he dabbles much more deeply in the sciences behind this than I.'' The class continued to murmur in awe of how steam was able to move metal, but it died down as the armoured hand of Brutus rose into the air as to silence them. 
 
 
 `` So, as the impatient Quintus interjected with questions regarding past civilizations and our own histories, he will lead by setting the bar for basic knowledge that I will assume you all equally have.'' Motioning for Quintus to speak, Brutus pulled back the lever to silence the roaring fires behind him. `` Well... I have an understanding of our rise to glory, but I'm poorly equipped to discuss the ancients.'' 
 
 
 Brutus knew that was a lie, but appreciated the desire to know that his class shared with him. `` Very well, we will start with the mightiest ancients we know of: The Romans, the Mongols, the Marvels, and the most recent to fall: The coalition of the Europeans, Americans, Chinese, and Russanadians, known as the Union Nations.'' Brutus walked over to a large granite globe, pointing at the southernmost portion of the Roman Leg. `` This is where the glory of civilization began, with the birth of Rome. We know very little of the immense empire, but we do know within years they conquered the world. The tales of Julius Caesar, who claimed all of Gaul, Igyt, and then ascending unto Divus Augustus to conquer a distant land called Olympus. Not only did he survive assassination, he then transformed a weak civilization into the strongest empire even known.'' 
 
 
 Walking over to the now cooled steam engine, Brutus paused for a moment to appreciate man ’ s potential. `` This steam engine is n't even a seed compared to the vast tree of technological prowess the Romans achieved. It's been far too many thousands of years to uncover any of their technology, but the Union Nations viewed the Romans with such unequivocal admiration, that it must've been breathtaking. The Union Nations were able to place man not only on our once whole moon, but on Mars! They lived among the stars, while creating life from machines and ripping apart the very fabric of our realm to use in war. Imagine what awe inspiring power the Romans must've wielded.'' 
 
 
 
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 Have to go, if you'd like more just ask.
