Ancient Rome’s history spans over a millennium, beginning with its legendary foundation in 753 BC. Initially a small settlement on the Palatine Hill, Rome grew into a powerful city-state, establishing the Roman Republic in 509 BC. This period saw significant political and military expansion, leading to control over the Mediterranean.
In 27 BC, the Republic transitioned into the Roman Empire under Augustus, marking the start of a period of relative peace known as the Pax Romana. The Empire expanded to its greatest territorial extent by the 2nd century AD, encompassing vast regions across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
The 3rd century saw a crisis with economic troubles and invasions, leading to reforms by emperors like Diocletian and Constantine, who also established Constantinople. The Western Roman Empire faced decline due to internal strife and external pressures, ultimately falling in AD 476. Meanwhile, the Eastern Roman Empire, or Byzantine Empire, continued for nearly another thousand years, preserving Roman law and culture until the fall of Constantinople in 1453.
