History of the Roman Empire

The Roman Empire is the post-republican phase in the development of ancient Roman statehood, characterized by an autocratic form of government and large territorial possessions in Europe and the Mediterranean. Rome was the only state in history that owned the entire coast of the Mediterranean. The chronological framework of the existence of the Roman Empire covers the period from the reign of the first emperor Octavian Augustus to the division of the empire into Western and Eastern and...
More Description

The Roman Empire is the post-republican phase in the development of ancient Roman statehood, characterized by an autocratic form of government and large territorial possessions in Europe and the Mediterranean. Rome was the only state in history that owned the entire coast of the Mediterranean. The chronological framework of the existence of the Roman Empire covers the period from the reign of the first emperor Octavian Augustus to the division of the empire into Western and Eastern and the subsequent fall of the Western Roman empire, that is, from 27 BC on to 476. The eastern part of the Roman Empire with its center in Constantinople existed for another 977 years - until 1453.Rome began as a group of villages along Italy's Tiber River.About 750 B.C., the villages joined together to form a citycalled Rome. It was ruled by kings for more than 200 years.Eventually, Rome became a republic, and the people electedrepresentatives. These representatives formed the Senate,Rome's most powerful body of government. Each year theSenate elected two leaders who took charge of thegovernment and the militaryIn 27 B.C., Rome became an empire. Caesar's adopted sonAugustus became the first Roman emperor. He broughtpeace and wealth to Rome for 40 years. Rome made greatprogress. The army kept peace. Trade increased. Many publicbuildings and lighthouses were built.