Editing Roman Empire (section)

== Government ==
The emperor was the head of the Roman state, commander of the armed forces, chief source of senior appointments, and an important religious authority. Imperial power depended on control of the army, recognition by political institutions, and support from provincial and court officials. Succession was not governed by a fixed constitutional rule. Emperors gained power through adoption, family inheritance, appointment by a predecessor, military proclamation, or victory in civil war.

The Roman Senate continued from the republican period. It supervised some provinces, issued decrees, confirmed honours, and provided officials for the imperial administration. Its independent political authority declined as emperors gained greater control over legislation, finance, provincial appointments, and the military.

The empire was divided into provinces governed by officials responsible for taxation, justice, public order, and military administration. Some provinces were supervised by the Senate, while provinces containing large military forces were controlled directly by the emperor. Local councils governed many cities and collected taxes on behalf of the state.

Roman law developed through statutes, senatorial decisions, imperial decrees, legal opinions, and court practice. Provincial legal traditions continued in some areas, but Roman citizenship determined access to several legal rights and procedures. In AD 212, Emperor [[Caracalla]] granted Roman citizenship to almost all free inhabitants of the empire.

The administrative centre remained in Rome during the early imperial period. Later emperors spent more time near military frontiers and established courts in cities including Mediolanum, Trier, Nicomedia, Antioch, Ravenna, and Constantinople. This allowed the government to respond more quickly to military and administrative problems outside Italy.