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The '''Roman Empire''' was the post-Republican period of ancient Rome, characterised by government headed by emperors and large territorial holdings around the Mediterranean Sea in [[Europe]], [[Africa]], and [[Asia]]. The city of Rome was the largest city in the ancient world, with a population of over a million people. The Roman Empire was a world empire and one of the largest in history. It was also known as the "Eastern Roman Empire" because its capital, Constantinople, was located in what is now modern-day [[Turkey]]. The empire lasted from the end of the Republic in 27 BC until the fall of Constantinople in 1453 AD.
	The '''Roman Empire''' was the imperial phase of ancient Roman civilisation, beginning with the rule of Augustus in 27 BC. It followed the Roman Republic and controlled large parts of Europe, North Africa and western Asia around the Mediterranean.

== Foundation and Expansion ==
The Roman Empire was founded by Augustus Caesar in 27 BC. Under his rule, the empire expanded to include much of Western Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. The empire was divided into several provinces, each governed by a governor appointed by the emperor. The empire was also known for its extensive system of roads and aqueducts, which facilitated trade and communication throughout the empire.
	The western imperial government collapsed in the fifth century AD, with 476 often used as a conventional end date for the Western Roman Empire. The eastern empire, governed from Constantinople, continued for centuries and is often called the Byzantine Empire by modern historians.

== Administration and Society ==
The Roman Empire was characterised by a highly centralised and hierarchical government. The emperor was the supreme ruler of the empire, with absolute authority over the military and the civil administration. The empire was divided into several provinces, each governed by a governor appointed by the emperor. The provinces were further subdivided into smaller administrative units called municipalities, which were governed by elected officials known as magistrates. The Roman Empire was also known for its extensive system of public works, including roads, bridges, and aqueducts, which facilitated trade and communication throughout the empire.
	== Origins ==
	The empire grew out of the political crisis of the late Roman Republic. Civil wars, military strongmen and the concentration of power in individual commanders weakened republican institutions.

== Military and Warfare ==
The Roman Empire was known for its highly disciplined and effective military. The Roman army was composed of professional soldiers who were well-trained and well-equipped. The army was divided into legions, each consisting of several thousand soldiers. The legions were led by a commander known as a legionary, who was responsible for the unit's training, discipline, and strategy. The Roman army was known for its use of tactics such as the testudo, a formation in which soldiers formed a shield wall to protect themselves from enemy arrows. The army was also known for its use of siege warfare, in which it would besiege enemy cities and fortresses until they surrendered.
	Octavian, later given the title Augustus, defeated his rivals and became the first Roman emperor. He kept many republican offices and forms in place, but real authority rested with him and the imperial system he built.

== Economy ==
The Roman Empire was a highly developed and prosperous economy. The empire was characterised by a highly centralised and hierarchical government. The emperor was the supreme ruler of the empire, with absolute authority over the military and the civil administration. The empire was divided into several provinces, each governed by a governor appointed by the emperor. The provinces were further subdivided into smaller administrative units called municipalities, which were governed by elected officials known as magistrates. The Roman Empire was also known for its extensive system of public works, including roads, bridges, and aqueducts, which facilitated trade and communication throughout the empire.
	== Government ==
	The emperor controlled the army, finances, appointments and imperial policy. The Senate and other older institutions still existed, but their power depended heavily on the emperor and the political conditions of each reign.

	Provinces were governed by officials appointed under imperial authority. Some provinces were directly controlled by the emperor because they contained major military forces, while others were administered through senatorial structures.

	== Expansion and Frontiers ==
	The empire reached its greatest territorial extent under Trajan in the early second century AD. Its lands included Italy, Gaul, Hispania, Britain, Greece, Egypt, Syria, parts of North Africa and territories along the Danube and Rhine.

	The frontiers were not simple lines on a map. They included roads, forts, rivers, walls, allied communities and military zones. Hadrian's Wall in Britain is one of the best-known frontier structures.

	== Society and Economy ==
	Roman society was unequal and hierarchical. Citizenship, legal status, class, gender, slavery, patronage and military service all affected a person's position.

	The empire's economy depended on agriculture, taxation, trade, mining, craft production and slavery. Roman roads, ports and coinage helped move goods, soldiers and information across long distances.

== Culture and Religion ==	== Culture and Religion ==
The Roman Empire was a diverse and cosmopolitan society. The empire was known for its advanced culture and education, with a rich literary and artistic tradition. The empire was also known for its diverse religious traditions, including polytheism, Christianity, and Judaism. The empire was also known for its extensive system of public works, including roads, bridges, and aqueducts, which facilitated trade and communication throughout the empire.
	Roman culture absorbed Greek, Etruscan, Egyptian, Jewish, Celtic and many other influences. Latin and Greek were the main languages of imperial administration and literature.

== Decline and Fall ==
The Roman Empire began to decline in the 3rd century AD, due to a combination of internal and external factors. Internally, the empire was weakened by political instability, economic decline, and social unrest. Externally, the empire was threatened by barbarian invasions, particularly from Germanic tribes such as the Goths and Vandals. The empire was further weakened by the division of the empire into two separate states, the Western Roman Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire. The Western Roman Empire eventually fell in 476 AD, while the Eastern Roman Empire continued to exist until the fall of Constantinople in 1453 AD.
	Traditional Roman religion involved public rituals, temples, household gods and emperor worship in some contexts. Christianity began as a small Jewish movement within the empire and later became legally tolerated under Constantine before becoming dominant in late antiquity.

	== Decline and Survival ==
	The third century brought military, economic and political crises. Later reforms under Diocletian and Constantine changed the structure of government, taxation and the army.

	The western empire lost effective control over many provinces in the fifth century. Rome itself was sacked in 410 and 455, and the last western emperor is usually said to have been deposed in 476. The eastern empire survived from Constantinople until the Ottoman conquest of the city in 1453.

	== See Also ==
	* [[Augustus]]
	* [[Byzantine_Empire]]
	* [[Rome]]

	== References ==
	* [https://www.britannica.com/place/Roman-Empire Encyclopaedia Britannica: Roman Empire]
	* [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Augustus-Roman-emperor Encyclopaedia Britannica: Augustus]
	* [https://www.mpm.edu/research-collections/anthropology/anthropology-collections-research/mediterranean-oil-lamps/roman-empire-brief-history Milwaukee Public Museum: Roman Empire, a brief history]

	[[Category:History]]
	[[Category:Ancient Rome]]