Romerrikets

Romerrikets, commonly called the Roman Empire in English, refers to the imperial era of Rome. It spanned roughly from 27 BCE, when Octavian—later known as Augustus—established the principate, to 476 CE in the West, while the eastern half continued as the Byzantine Empire for nearly a millennium. At its height, the empire covered large parts of Europe, North Africa, and the Near East, including Italy, the Iberian Peninsula, Gaul, the Balkans, Egypt, and Asia Minor.

Politically, the empire centered on the emperor, who held ultimate civil and military authority. A complex bureaucracy, provincial administrations, and a professional army supported centralized rule. The interior safety and infrastructure benefited from a dense network of roads, aqueducts, and harbors, while provinces were governed by appointed officials and a legal system that blended local customs with Roman law.

Latin was the primary language in the western provinces, while Greek predominated in the east. Roman law, urban culture, and engineering shaped daily life and state organization. Christianity spread under imperial patronage in the 4th century, eventually becoming the state religion. The empire is also known for architectural and engineering achievements, including monuments, forums, amphitheaters, aqueducts, and extensive road networks that facilitated governance and trade.

Decline and fall resulted from a combination of military pressure, economic difficulties, and political instability, especially during the 3rd and 4th centuries. The Western Empire collapsed in the 5th century, commonly dated to 476 CE, while the eastern portion endured as Byzantium until 1453. The Roman legal and administrative heritage influenced successor states and shaped European governance, law, and culture for centuries.