Roman history

Roman history refers to the period from the founding of the city of Rome in the 8th century BC through the eventual decline of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century AD. This extensive period is marked by significant developments in government, law, military, culture, and technology that have had a lasting impact on the world.

Founding and Kingdom

The traditional date for the founding of Rome is 753 BC. According to legend, the city was founded by Romulus and Remus, twin sons of Mars, the god of war. Initially, Rome was ruled by kings, a period known as the Roman Kingdom. The last king, Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, was overthrown in 509 BC, leading to the establishment of the Roman Republic.

Roman Republic

During the Republic, Rome was governed by a complex constitution, which balanced the interests of different social classes, including the patricians (aristocratic families) and the plebeians (common citizens). The main bodies of the Republic included the Senate, which was the dominant force in politics, and the popular assemblies, which elected magistrates and passed laws.

The Republic expanded dramatically, absorbing other cultures and establishing Roman control over the Mediterranean basin. This expansion led to internal conflicts, including the struggle of the plebeians for equal rights and the conflicts between leading generals such as Julius Caesar, Pompey the Great, and Marcus Licinius Crassus.

Julian-Claudian Dynasty

The assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BC precipitated the end of the Republic. His adopted heir, Augustus, became the first Roman Emperor in 27 BC, initiating the Roman Empire and the Julio-Claudian Dynasty. This period saw the consolidation of imperial authority and the expansion of the empire to include vast territories across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

The Empire's Height and Decline

The empire reached its greatest extent under Emperor Trajan in the early 2nd century AD. However, the following centuries saw increased pressure from barbarian invasions, economic troubles, and internal strife. The empire was divided into the Western and Eastern (later known as the Byzantine Empire) Roman Empires in the late 3rd century by Diocletian.

The Western Roman Empire faced further decline, culminating in the abdication of the last emperor, Romulus Augustulus, in 476 AD. The Eastern Empire, with its capital at Constantinople, continued to exist until it fell to the Ottoman Turks in 1453.

Legacy

The legacy of Rome is immense, influencing the development of the Western civilization, law, politics, language, architecture, and more. The Latin language, Roman law, and Roman architectural innovations such as the arch and the dome have been foundational to Western culture.

See Also

• History of Rome
• Roman Republic
• Roman Empire
• Byzantine Empire