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Ancient Rome
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Ancient Rome was a powerful and important civilization that ruled much of Europe for nearly 1000 years. The culture of Ancient Rome was spread throughout Europe during its rule and its culture still has an impact in the Western world today. The basis for much of our culture comes from Ancient Rome, especially in areas such as government, engineering, architecture, language, and literature.
The city of Rome is the capital of Italy today
The Roman Republic
Rome first grew into power as a Republic. This meant that Rome's leaders, such as senators, were elected officials that served for a limited amount of time, not kings who born into leadership and ruled for life. They had a complex government with written laws, a constitution, and a balance of powers. These concepts became very important in forming future democratic governments, like the United States.
The Republic would rule Rome for hundreds of years from around 509 BC to 45 BC.
The Roman Empire
In 45 BC Julius Caesar took over the Roman Republic and made himself the supreme dictator. This was the end of the republic. A few years later, in 27 BC, Caesar Augustus became the first Roman Emperor and this was the start of the Roman Empire. Much of the lower level government stayed the same, but now the Emperor had supreme power.
The Roman Forum was the center of government
The Empire Splits
Rome began to decline and in 286 AD, the empire split into two empires. One was the traditional Western Roman Empire which was ruled out of Rome. The other was the Eastern Roman Empire ruled out of Constantinople (today's Istanbul in Turkey). The Eastern Roman Empire would also become known as Byzantium or the Byzantine Empire.
Fall of Rome
Western Rome would fall in 476 AD. Eastern Rome, or the Byzantine Empire, would rule for another 1000 years.
Fun Facts about Ancient Rome
- The city of Rome is the capital of Italy today. It sits on the same site as the city of ancient Rome and you can see many ancient buildings such as the Collosseum and the Roman Forum if you visit.
- The Circus Maximus, a huge stadium built for chariot races, could seat around 150,000 people.
- The fall of Western Rome is considered the start of the "Dark Ages".
- The highest position in the Roman Republic was the consul. There were two consuls at the same time to make sure that one didn't become too powerful.
- The native language of the Romans was Latin, but they often spoke Greek as well.
- When Julius Caesar took power he named himself dictator for life. However, this didn't last long as he was assassinated a year later.
Recommended books and references:
Nature Company Discoveries library: Ancient Rome by Judith Simpson. 1997.
Exploring the culture, people & ideas of this powerful empire by Avery Hart & Sandra Gallagher ; illustrations by Michael Kline. 2002.
Eyewitness Books: Ancient Rome written by Simon James. 2004.
More information on the civilization of Ancient Rome:
See also the Ancient Rome at Encyclopedia Junior.
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Today In History |
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Who was born on this day:
1732 George Washington (1st US President)
1820 Frederic Chopin (Classic Composer)
What happened today in history:
1876 Johns Hopkins University is founded
1980 The "Miracle on Ice": US defeats Russia in Hockey
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