grandiose

the tin of Cornwall hardened Philip's spears
and got his first-born working on a plan
to free the Greeks from trade-embargo fears
by delving his ore in Afghanistan
an empire integrates economies
protecting traders from a brigand's raids
there's revenue to claim on shipping fees
when continents are linked by webs of trade
new Alexandrias sprung on the map
where legionnaires shacked up with local brides
and even deserts proved an easy gap
for infantry to compass in their stride
the greatest realm the world had ever seen
was his when he was scarce more than a teen