- Started with Augustus
- 200 years
- Rule of Law
- Common Coinage
- Civil Service
- Secure travel for Merchants
- Distinct groups retained certain customs (Jews)
- Largest extent of empire under Trajan
- Cultural growth
- Science
- technology
Religious Diversity
- Paganism
- Mithraism
Christianity
- First century AD
- Constantine 306 claimed throne
- 312 Battle of the Milvian Bridge
- 313 Edict of Milan
- 325 Council of Nicaea
- 391 Official religion
Division
- Eastern and Western under Diocletion around 280
- Constantine moves capitol east to Constantinople 322
- 2 (4) emperors
- Rarely unified again
Fall of Rome
- Germanic Invasions (Huns, Franks, Goths, Vandals, etc)
- Weak rulers
- Size
- Christianity
- Corruption
- Military issues
- Famine/disease
