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{{Rome}}

{{Rome}}

An empire started by the Romans that through a strong military and law ruled most of the western civilized world.  The Roman Empire was the direct successor to the [[Roman Republic]] which had already established Rome as the dominant force in the west.  While the general view of the Empire became keeping the status quo instead of adding new territory, there were still some changes and a continuing growth.  Britain was added in 44 AD as well as other small conquests until it reached its height in about 117 AD.   

An empire started by the Romans that through a strong military and law ruled most of the western civilized world.  The Roman Empire was the direct successor to the [[Roman Republic]] which had already established Rome as the dominant force in the west.  While the general view of the Empire became keeping the status quo instead of adding new territory, there were still some changes and continuing growth.  Britain was added in 44 AD as well as other small conquests until the empire reached its height in about 117 AD.   

Rome may be credited with creating the virtue of [[civic republicanism]]: that a citizen should give his life in battle or in work to the glory of the Republic.   

Rome may be credited with creating the virtue of [[civic republicanism]]: that a citizen should give his life in battle or in work to the glory of the Republic.   

One of its greatest rulers was also its first [[Caius Iulius Caesar Octavianus]], or [[Augustus Caesar|Augustus]] ruling from 27 BC to 14 AD.  He set the stage for a long progression of rulers that lasted 500 years and established a peace, the [[Pax Romana]] that lasted almost 200 years (although there were many wars and revolts during that time period, all out wars were avoided).  The high point of the Empire is generally considered to be under the [[Five Good Emperors]] from 96 to 180 AD.  The low point was under [[The Age of Thiry Tyrants]] from 259 to 268 where a revolving door of 19 different generals claimed the throne.     

One of its greatest rulers was also its first: [[Caius Iulius Caesar Octavianus]], or [[Augustus Caesar|Augustus]] ruling from 27 BC to 14 AD.  He set the stage for a long progression of rulers that lasted 500 years and established a peace, the [[Pax Romana]] that lasted almost 200 years (although there were many wars and revolts during that time period, all out wars were avoided).  The high point of the Empire is generally considered to be under the [[Five Good Emperors]] from 96 to 180 AD.  The low point was under [[The Age of Thiry Tyrants]] from 259 to 268 where a revolving door of 19 different generals claimed the throne.     

Rome contributed a great deal to the mythology of early Christianity.  For example, the prophecy that "a savior would come out of [[Judea]]" was popular in the Roman Empire, so popular that the biographer [[Suetonious]] saw fit to include it in his [[De Vitae Caesarium]].  However, Suetonious identified the savior as [[Vespasian]] in his "Life of Vespasian," since Vespasian did, as it was said, "save the State."

Rome contributed a great deal to the mythology of early Christianity.  For example, the prophecy that "a savior would come out of [[Judea]]" was popular in the Roman Empire, so popular that the biographer [[Suetonious]] saw fit to include it in his [[De Vitae Caesarium]].  However, Suetonious identified the savior as [[Vespasian]] in his "Life of Vespasian," since Vespasian did, as it was said, "save the State."