Together, they launched a bid to rule the Roman Empire, and failed.

他们一起，试图统领罗马帝国，但失败了。

youdao

Many like Mr Ignatieff are ready to lend support to the idea of an American empire, moved by a desire to bring people living in failed states out of their disorder and misery, and believing that only America can run such an empire.

ECONOMIST: America and empire