28/06/2021 ancient Rome -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia

ancient Rome
ancient Rome, the state centred on the city of Rome. This article discusses the period from
the founding of the city and the regal period, which began in 753 BC, through the events
leading to the founding of the republic in 509 BC, the establishment of the empire in 27 BC,
and the final eclipse of the Empire of the West in the 5th century AD. For later events of the
Empire of the East, see Byzantine Empire.

Rome must be considered one of the most successful

imperial powers in history. In the course of centuries
Rome grew from a small town on the Tiber River in
central Italy into a vast empire that ultimately
embraced England, all of continental Europe west of
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ancient Rome the Rhine and south of the Danube, most of Asia west
Ruins of the Forum in Rome.
of the Euphrates, northern Africa, and the islands of
© zardo/stock.adobe.com
the Mediterranean. Unlike the Greeks, who excelled
in intellectual and artistic endeavours, the Romans achieved greatness in their military,
political, and social institutions. Roman society, during the republic, was governed by a
strong military ethos. While this helps to explain the incessant warfare, it does not account
for Rome’s success as an imperial power. Unlike Greek city-states, which excluded
foreigners and subjected peoples from political participation, Rome from its beginning
incorporated conquered peoples into its social and political system. Allies and subjects who
adopted Roman ways were eventually granted Roman citizenship. During the principate
(see below), the seats in the Senate and even the imperial throne were occupied by persons
from the Mediterranean realm outside Italy. The lasting effects of Roman rule in Europe can
be seen in the geographic distribution of the Romance languages (Italian, French, Spanish,
Portuguese, and Romanian), all of which evolved from Latin, the language of the Romans.
The Western alphabet of 26 letters and the calendar of 12 months and 365.25 days are only
two simple examples of the cultural legacy which Rome has bequeathed Western
civilization.

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Saturn, Temple of
The Temple of Saturn, among the
ruins of the Roman Forum, Rome.
© Stefano Pellicciari/stock.adobe.com

Citation Information
Article Title:
ancient Rome
Website Name:
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published:
06 May 2021
URL:
https://www.britannica.com/place/ancient-Rome
Access Date:
June 28, 2021

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