Roman Empire

The Roman Empire is the post-republican civilization in Ancient Italy. Parts of it included large territories around Northern Africa, the Mediterranean Sea in Europe, and Western Asia. The Roman Empire was a semi-elective absolute monarchy, ruled by an Emperor, the greatest of which was Augustus Caesar. Years after the Pax Romana, Rome fell into chaos, and was soon divided into two parts; The Western Roman Empire, whose capital was Rome, and the Eastern Roman Empire, whose capital was Constantinople.

From a Republic to an Empire
Shortly after the creation of the Republic in 6th century BC, Rome began starting conquests, earning and conquering new land. Rome suffered many civil wars, conflicts, and just plain division, constantly expanding their reach, the period of time known as the The Crisis of the Roman Republic. In 44 BC, one of Rome's greatest military commanders, Julius Caesar, was elected dictator before being assassinated by jealous senators. His assassins were exiled and defeated in The Battle of Philippi by Caesar's adopted son Octavian (Later Augustus Caesar) and Roman General Marcus Antonius. Soon after, Octavian defeated Marcus Antonius and Queen Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC, ending the Final War of the Roman Republic.

200 Years of Peace
The years that followed the series of wars is known as the Pax Romana, initiated by Roman Emperor Augustus Caesar.