Editing Roman Empire

The '''Roman Empire''' (31BC-476AD) is one of the most important empires in history, occupying at its height much of [[Europe]], the [[Middle East]] and [[North Africa]].

It was founded by [[Augustus Caesar]], who had assumed supreme power in [[Rome]] following the assassination of his uncle [[Julius Caesar]]. He realised that the unbridled expansionism of the [[Roman Republic]] was not sustainable, and consciously decided to keep the empire within the [[Rhine]], the [[Danube]] and the [[Euphrates]]. His successors conquered few areas outside this, notably most of the [[British Isles]] in 43AD and [[Dacia]] and [[Arabia]] in 106.

Even holding the Rhine/Danube frontier proved hard, as the tribes to the north constantly attacked the Romans. Eventually, some of these tribes ([[Hun]]s, [[Vandal]]s, [[Visigoth]]s, [[Ostrogoth]]s) conquered large parts of the empire and deposed the last emperor, [[Romulus Augustulus]], in 476.

The eastern part of the empire remained unconquered and continued as the [[Byzantine Empire]], with its capital at [[Constantinople]]. This lasted nearly another thousand years, until Constantinople was conquered by the [[Ottoman Empire]] in 1453.

In Europe, the name was revived for the [[Holy Roman Empire]].

[[category:History]]