The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire
The Roman Empire began as a small city-state in Rome and expanded to become one of the largest empires in history, dominating much of Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. Its rise was marked by military conquests, political innovations, and cultural achievements, including the establishment of a complex legal system and impressive architectural feats like the Colosseum.
However, by the 5th century AD, the empire faced numerous challenges, including economic troubles, military defeats, and internal strife. The division into the Western Roman Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire weakened its unity, leading to the fall of the Western Empire in 476 AD, marking the end of ancient Rome's dominance.