Roman Empire: Difference between revisions
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| capital = [[Rome]] | | capital = [[Rome]] | ||
| common_languages = Latin, [[Greek language|Greek]], and numerous regional languages | | common_languages = Latin, [[Greek language|Greek]], and numerous regional languages | ||
| religion = | | religion = Ancient Roman religion, the Roman imperial cult, regional religions, and later [[Christianity]] | ||
| government_type = Autocratic monarchy with republican institutions | | government_type = Autocratic monarchy with republican institutions | ||
| title_leader = [[Roman emperor|Emperor]] | | title_leader = [[Roman emperor|Emperor]] | ||
| leader1 = | | leader1 = Augustus | ||
| year_leader1 = 27 BC–AD 14 | | year_leader1 = 27 BC–AD 14 | ||
| leader2 = [[Theodosius I]] | | leader2 = [[Theodosius I]] | ||
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| life_span = 27 BC–AD 395 | | life_span = 27 BC–AD 395 | ||
| year_start = 27 BC | | year_start = 27 BC | ||
| event_start = Establishment of the imperial government under | | event_start = Establishment of the imperial government under Augustus | ||
| event1 = Greatest territorial extent under | | event1 = Greatest territorial extent under Trajan | ||
| date_event1 = AD 117 | | date_event1 = AD 117 | ||
| event2 = [[Constantinople]] inaugurated as an imperial capital | | event2 = [[Constantinople]] inaugurated as an imperial capital | ||
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}} | }} | ||
The '''Roman Empire''' was an ancient state centred on the city of [[Rome]] and the [[Mediterranean Sea]]. It developed from the | The '''Roman Empire''' was an ancient state centred on the city of [[Rome]] and the [[Mediterranean Sea]]. It developed from the Roman Republic and began in 27 BC, when Octavian received the title Augustus and became the first [[Roman emperor]]. The empire governed the [[Italian Peninsula]], western and southern [[Europe]], the [[Balkans]], [[Anatolia]], the [[Levant]], parts of western Asia, and the Mediterranean coast of North Africa.<ref name="italy-history"/> | ||
At its greatest territorial extent under Emperor | At its greatest territorial extent under Emperor Trajan in AD 117, Roman territory stretched from [[Britain]] and the [[Iberian Peninsula]] to Mesopotamia, and from the Rhine and Danube frontiers to Egypt and the Sahara. Roman rule joined these regions through provincial government, taxation, military garrisons, roads, ports, maritime routes, and a shared legal system. The Mediterranean formed the main transport area between the empire's provinces and cities.<ref name="mediterranean-history"/> | ||
The empire was permanently divided into western and eastern administrative courts after the death of [[Theodosius I]] in AD 395. The Western Roman Empire ended during the fifth century, while the eastern state continued from [[Constantinople]] and is commonly called the [[Byzantine Empire]]. | The empire was permanently divided into western and eastern administrative courts after the death of [[Theodosius I]] in AD 395. The Western Roman Empire ended during the fifth century, while the eastern state continued from [[Constantinople]] and is commonly called the [[Byzantine Empire]]. | ||
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Rome expanded beyond central Italy during the period of the Roman Republic. By the first century BC, Roman authority covered the Italian Peninsula, much of the western Mediterranean, Greece, parts of the Balkans, North Africa, and territories in western Asia. Military expansion brought wealth and land into Roman control, but it also increased political competition between commanders and contributed to a series of civil wars. | Rome expanded beyond central Italy during the period of the Roman Republic. By the first century BC, Roman authority covered the Italian Peninsula, much of the western Mediterranean, Greece, parts of the Balkans, North Africa, and territories in western Asia. Military expansion brought wealth and land into Roman control, but it also increased political competition between commanders and contributed to a series of civil wars. | ||
Julius Caesar became dictator after defeating his opponents but was assassinated in 44 BC. His adopted heir Octavian joined Mark Antony and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus in the Second Triumvirate. The alliance defeated the assassins of Caesar before breaking apart. Octavian defeated Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC and annexed Egypt the following year. | |||
In 27 BC, the Roman Senate granted Octavian the title Augustus. He retained republican offices and institutions while holding control over the army, important provinces, taxation, and senior appointments. This system became known as the Principate. The Senate, magistrates, and assemblies continued to exist, but political authority increasingly depended on the emperor. | In 27 BC, the Roman Senate granted Octavian the title Augustus. He retained republican offices and institutions while holding control over the army, important provinces, taxation, and senior appointments. This system became known as the Principate. The Senate, magistrates, and assemblies continued to exist, but political authority increasingly depended on the emperor. | ||
The reign of Augustus began a long period of internal stability commonly called the | The reign of Augustus began a long period of internal stability commonly called the Pax Romana. The Julio-Claudian, Flavian, and Nerva–Antonine dynasties extended Roman administration and developed cities, roads, aqueducts, ports, and frontier defences. Britain was invaded under Claudius, while Trajan conquered Dacia and temporarily extended Roman authority into Mesopotamia. Roman expansion incorporated Greece and much of the Balkans into a political and transport system based around the Mediterranean.<ref name="southern-europe-history"/><ref name="balkans-history"/> | ||
Territorial expansion largely stopped after the reign of Trajan. [[Hadrian]] withdrew from several eastern conquests and concentrated on securing the frontiers. Defensive systems were established along the Rhine, Danube, northern Britain, North Africa, and the eastern border with the Parthian and later Sasanian empires. | Territorial expansion largely stopped after the reign of Trajan. [[Hadrian]] withdrew from several eastern conquests and concentrated on securing the frontiers. Defensive systems were established along the Rhine, Danube, northern Britain, North Africa, and the eastern border with the Parthian and later Sasanian empires. | ||
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== See also == | == See also == | ||
* [[Byzantine Empire]] | * [[Byzantine Empire]] | ||
* [[Rome]] | * [[Rome]] | ||
* [[Roman emperor]] | * [[Roman emperor]] | ||
* [[Mediterranean Sea]] | * [[Mediterranean Sea]] | ||