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Line 1: − + − 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. − − 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." − − ==Beginnings== − The pre-imperial history of Rome is treated elsewhere. In brief, the Republic served to make Rome the most powerful military force in the west and led to great conquest, but it gave way to rule by Augustus and the Emperors and would never again be seen for Rome's remaining 500 years. − − ==Chronology== − Augustus was the first Emperor, leading a stable and peaceful Empire. He cut the size of the military and reorganized it so the Empire would have about 300,000 men under arms, basically manning the borders, and extremely mobile. He decided against expanding the Empire after the [[Battle of the Teutoberg Forest] in 9 B.C. and the loss the Romans incurred believing there was little to gain in spending great amounts of money and resources to conquer barbarians that could provide little in return. His successors agreed with his policies, although they did from time to time make small expansions to the borders. He undertook building projects and road construction that led to great improvements.
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{{Progress}}
{{Progress}}
{{Rome}}
{{Rome}}
A lot of Pagans.
* [[Tiberius]] ruled from 14 to 37
* [[Tiberius]] ruled from 14 to 37