The Roman Empire, one of the most influential and enduring civilizations in history, emerged from the

Roman Republic around 27 BCE. Spanning three continents, it became a vast and powerful empire
through military conquests and strategic alliances. At its height, the Roman Empire covered territories
from Britain to North Africa and the Middle East. Rome itself, situated on the Italian Peninsula, became a
hub of culture, politics, and commerce.

The Roman Empire is often characterized by its political structure, which evolved from a republic to an
autocratic system under emperors. Augustus, the first emperor, marked the beginning of the Pax
Romana, a period of relative peace and stability that lasted for nearly two centuries. The Romans left a
lasting legacy in architecture, engineering, law, and language, with Latin influencing many modern
European languages. However, internal strife, economic challenges, and external invasions eventually led
to the decline and fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE, while the Eastern Roman Empire, known
as the Byzantine Empire, endured for nearly a millennium longer.