History of the Roman Empire

The Roman Empire, beginning as a small city-state around 753 BCE, grew into a vast territory encompassing Europe, Africa, and Asia. It was known for its advanced governance, law, military strength, and engineering feats like roads and aqueducts. The empire transitioned from a republic to an autocratic empire under emperors such as Augustus. It thrived for centuries until internal decline and external invasions led to its fall in 476 CE in the West. The Eastern part persisted as the Byzantine Empire. Roman influence shaped Western civilization, law, language, and infrastructure that endure today.