From 27 B.C.E. to 180 C.E., the Roman Empire saw a period of relative tranquility and prosperity now known as the Pax Romana ...

The first answer is simple: hereditary rule. For most of this period, emperors were not chosen on the basis of their ability or honesty, but simply because they were born in the right family.

The third of the five “Good Emperors,” Hadrian’s reign (117-138) came at the zenith of Roman power. The first Roman emperor to wear a full beard, Hadrian’s association of facial hair with ...

100 BC – 44 BC / Reigned 46 – 44 BC) changed the course of Roman history. Although he did not rule for long, he gave Rome fresh hope and a whole dynasty of emperors. Born into an aristocratic ...

Once the republic ended and Emperors started to be in charge ... they were still considered to be lowly types, and Roman citizens of good standing wouldn’t want their sons or daughters becoming ...

Around 2,500 years ago, the city of Rome was at the centre of a huge empire that stretched ... even the sewer in Rome. The Romans were always trying to keep on the good side of their gods.