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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 Thirty Tyrants]] from 259 to 268 where a revolving door of 19 different generals claimed the throne.     

Messianic expectations at the time of [[Jesus]] were known even in Rome.  For example, the prophecy that "out of [[Judea]] at this time would come rulers of the world" was popular in the Roman Empire, so popular that the biographer [[Suetonious]] saw fit to include it in his [[De Vitae Caesarium]].  However, Suetonius identified the ruler as [[Vespasian]] in his "Life of Vespasian," since Vespasian did, as it was said, "save the State" during the year of the [[Four Emperors Era|four emperors]].

Messianic expectations at the time of [[Jesus]] were known even in Rome.  For example, the prophecy that "out of [[Judea]] at this time would come rulers of the world" was popular in the Roman Empire, so popular that the biographer [[Suetonious]] saw fit to include it in his [[De Vitae Caesarium]].  However, Suetonius identified the ruler as [[Vespasian]] in his "Life of Vespasian," since Vespasian did, as it was said, "save the State" during the year of the [[Four Emperors Era|four emperors]].

      

      

From a societal standpoint it has been posited that [[immorality]] and [[homosexuality]] so weakened the spirit of the Empire that it was unable to stand firm against the Barbarians. Certainly poets such as [[Catullus]] and [[Juvenal]] describe many unnatural practises that may well have contributed to the final collapse just four hundred years later.  Well known British writer [[Edward Gibbon]], who wrote the influential ''[[Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire]]'' was an [[advocate]] of this view.  While his book stood the test of time as a masterpiece of Roman history, even being required reading in some American schools for the first half of the 20th century, modern historians seek answers in other areas.

From a societal standpoint it has been posited that [[immorality]] and [[homosexuality]] so weakened the spirit of the Empire that it was unable to stand firm against the Barbarians. Certainly poets such as [[Catullus]] and [[Juvenal]] describe many unnatural practices that may well have contributed to the final collapse just four hundred years later.  Well known British writer [[Edward Gibbon]], who wrote the influential ''[[Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire]]'' was an [[advocate]] of this view.  While his book stood the test of time as a masterpiece of Roman history, even being required reading in some American schools for the first half of the 20th century, modern historians seek answers in other areas.

== The actual "Fall" ==

== The actual "Fall" ==