Roman Empire

Roman Empire was an empire in Italy (Europe) that lasted from 27 BCE to 395 CE, about 421 years. Its people spoke Latin and Romance languages (Latin, Italic, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Romanian).

Augustus turned the Republic into a monarchy in all but name. At its height under Trajan it ruled the whole Mediterranean basin. Theodosius I was the last emperor to rule both halves.

See Roman Empire on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates

27 BCE to 395 CE

Duration

421 years

Type

Empire

Region

Italy, Europe

Language family

Latin and Romance

Capital

Rome, later Constantinople

Came from

• Roman Republic 509 to 27 BCE

Became

• Western Roman Empire 395 to 476 CE
• Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE

Events in Europe during its time

• 9 Battle of the Teutoburg Forest
• 313 Edict of Milan
• 330 Constantinople dedicated

Neighbours in Europe

• Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE
• Roman Republic 509 to 27 BCE
• Hunnic Empire c. 370 to 469 CE
• Roman Hispania 218 BCE to 472 CE
• Roman Gaul 50 BCE to 486 CE
• Roman Britain 43 to 410 CE
• Dacian Kingdom c. 82 BCE to 106 CE
• Western Roman Empire 395 to 476 CE
• San Marino c. 301 CE to the present
• Bosporan Kingdom c. 480 BCE to 370 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

• Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Middle East
• Ghana Empire (Wagadu) c. 300 to 1200 CE, North and West Africa
• Kingdom of Aksum c. 100 to 940 CE, North and West Africa
• Moche (Mochica) c. 100 to 800 CE, South America
• Teotihuacan c. 100 BCE to 550 CE, Mesoamerica and Caribbean
• Parthian Empire 247 BCE to 224 CE, Middle East
• Sasanian Empire 224 to 651 CE, Middle East
• Kushan Empire c. 30 to 375 CE, South Asia
• Xiongnu Empire c. 209 BCE to 93 CE, Central and North Asia
• Gupta Empire c. 320 to 550 CE, South Asia

Questions