History of the Mediterranean region Alexandria. Mesopotamia became a fringe border region between the Roman Empire and the Persians. When Augustus founded the Roman Empire, the Mediterranean sea began to be called "Mare Nostrum" (Latin: "Our Sea") by the Romans. Their empire was centered on this sea and all the area was full of commerce and naval development. For the first time in history, an entire sea (the Mediterranean) was free of piracy. For several centuries, the Mediterranean was a "Roman Lake", surrounded on all sides by the empire. The empire began to crumble, however, in the fifth century and Rome collapsed after 476 CE.
Now That's What I Call Music! is compiled in co-ordination with New Zealand's top record companies. The series is one of the highest selling compilations in New Zealand music history (RIANZ) with multi-platinum album sales. Prior to this, there was an unrelated "Now That's What I Call Music Series" by Warner Bros. Records which only released three albums from 1992 to 1993. "Now" has been seen in Argentina, with at least nine releases. The track listings on the Argentine "Now" albums are only slightly different from those of the Mexican ones. Now That's What I Call Music! Now That's What I Call Music! (1983–present) (often shortened