The Roman Empire was the successor state to the Roman Republic and a continuation of its culture, civilization, and military power, which it handled through an Imperial autocracy. At its largest extent, the Roman Empire completely encompassed the Mediterranean Sea and controlled territories in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
After nearly four-hundred years, the Empire fragmented into two distinct governments - the Western Roman Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire - before finally collapsing, in the West, in 476 CE. The Eastern Roman Empire would continue to rule until to Fall of Constantinople in 1453.
History
Origins
- "They have taken from us, from Roma, but now is not the time to respond. We must regroup. Plan. Prepare for what is sure to come."
- ―A Liberatore on the future of Rome, 42 BCE.[src]
After a long period of internal strife and civil war within the Republic, Roman general Gaius Julius Caesar named himself dictator of Rome in 49 BCE, supported in secret by the Order of the Ancients[1], a predecessor to the Templars. In 44 BCE, Caesar was assassinated by a group calling themselves the Hidden Ones, led by Aya of Alexandria[1], Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus.[2] Caesar's adoptive son, Octavian, subsequently formed an alliance to hunt down the dictator's killers. During Battle of Philippi, Brutus and Longinus were defeated, and Octavian gradually dissolved the Republic before adopting the title of Augustus, founding the Roman Empire in the process.[3]
Julio-Claudian dynasty
In 37 CE, Caligula rose to become Roman Emperor. Regarded as an insane ruler, he was also supported by the Templars. In 41 CE, the Assassin Leonius stabbed him to death with a dagger.[4]
One of Caligula's successors, Nero, was renowned for his supposed tyranny and extravagnace. It is rumored that he intentionally started the Great Fire of Rome in 64 CE in order to build his lavish Golden Palace. Nero committed suicide in 68 CE, ending the Julio-Claudian dynasty of emperors.[2]
Flavian dynasty
The Flavian dynasty of emperors was founded by Vespasian, who ruled from 69 CE to 79 CE. He undertook several great construction projects, including the Colosseum, a large amphitheatre built atop a Isu Temple. He was succeeded by his son, Titus, who crushed a Jewish rebellion and sacked Jerusalem.[2]
Nerva-Antonine dynasty
In 98 CE, Trajan became emperor. Under his reign, the empire reached its largest territorial size, and numerous constructions projects were undertaken in Rome.[2]
Downfall
Eventually, due to its vast size, it was decided that the Empire should fragment in order to better govern it various territories. Divided between the Western Roman Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire, the two bodies continued to co-exist until the Sack of Rome, and the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE. The Eastern Roman Empire continued, however for almost another 1,000 years before it too saw its capital, Constantinople, conquered, this time by the rising-Ottoman Empire, in 1453.[5]
See also
- List of Roman Emperors