The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire

The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire

Linda Fry

Post University

The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire

At the beginning of the eighth century, B. C. Ancient Rome grew from a small town to an empire that took over most of Europe, Britain, most of Western Asia, northern Africa and the Mediterranean Islands. The Roman language also took over, and many other languages were derived from like Italian French Spanish Portuguese, and Romanian In the first century B.C. Rome became an empire during Julius Ceasar's rise and fall of power then became a stable, peaceful empire during Augustus reign which was Rome’s first Emperor. The decline though during the fifth century B.C. would become one of the worlds largest dramatic fall of an empire in the history of humanity. Mark (2011)

Rome became a dominant empire because of its resources and location, Rome had an abundance of resources because it was in the middle of many other powerful civilizations which gave Rome strength. Also, Rome had great leaders like Julius Ceasar whom built a powerful military for Rome and focused mainly on conquering other territories. Forthsythe (2017)

Augustus was another great leader who brought about the Golden Age. There were peace and prosperity among the whole empire, and also this was about the time the Coliseum was built. Location and resources and also great leader contributed to the rise of the Roman Empire

         The government would allow conquered people to be a second class citizen with partial rights and privileges. The idea of making people partial citizens was a useful idea and another reason for the success of Rome but also one of the reasons it fell also.Wallech (2013)

        Augustus’s rule brought about peace and prosperity, and he also restored morale after a century of corruption amongst the government. Augustus ruled for fifty-six years and won numerous battles. Art and literature also increase in popularity and also religion. Augustus had a military that was devoted to him and when he died the Senate elevated his status to a God.

The Augustus dynasty had many unpopular rulers that were unstable and drained the Roman treasury, but then the reign of Nerva began another golden age and many others took power and continued the stable, peaceful government expanding its borders and continuing success of the empire.

When Marcus Aurelius took power, it was dominated by conflict and many wars including the Germanic tribes. Marcus fell ill and name his nineteen-year-old son Commodus his successor. Afer Commodus took power, the golden age came to an end for Rome because of his selfishness and incompetence. Commodus died at the hands of his ministers, and another civil war broke out. Another 22 emperors took power and many being killed by the same soldiers that put them in authority. Wallech (2013)