Over time, as it became more powerful and better known, it "became one of the most urbanized societies of the pre-industrial world." During the height of its empire, it had one of the largest inhabitants on the planet. The empire had an abundance of cities such as the city of Rome. These cities had features such as: overcrowded slums, busy streets, squares, imposing public administrative buildings, and so on. The Roman Empire controlled approximately 2000 "cities". All cities had their own communities, which meant they took care of themselves without needing a higher power. Most cities formed a grid pattern. The houses of the rich and the poor would be located in these blocks. Also on the streets there would be shops, cafes, workshops and