History of Ancient Rome

Ancient Rome began as a small settlement in 753 BC and grew into a powerful empire that dominated the Mediterranean world. It transitioned from a monarchy to a republic around 509 BC, emphasizing a system of elected officials and citizen participation. The Republic expanded through conquests and alliances. By AD 27, it became an empire under Augustus, bringing peace (Pax Romana) for two centuries. Rome's influence spread through culture, law, and architecture, but it faced internal strife and external invasions, leading to its decline and eventual fall in AD 476, marking the end of ancient antiquity and the rise of the Middle Ages.