The Roman Empire has continued to flourish and expand over the past two century. A brief civil war followed the death of the emperor Nero in 68, but stability was quickly restored. For most of the past century the Roman world has been ruled by a succession of able rulers such as Trajan, Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius. The reign of the dreadful Commodus was followed by a civil war in 193-6; but peace and stability have again returned under the victor, the Emperor Septimius Severus.
The empire is divided into many provinces, each under the authority of a governor. The ancient cities – together with hundreds of new cities founded by the Romans – retain much of their autonomy, however. Millions of the empire’s inhabitants now enjoy the rights of Roman citizenship, with full access to the famed Roman legal system.
Related Articles:
The Roman Empire Home Page
Related Maps & Timelines:
Timeline of European History
Timeline of Middle East History
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