2. An Empire Across Three Continents
The Roman Empire was a vast entity that encompassed diverse cultures and regions across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. It was organized under a distinct political regime, where power was centralized with the emperor, supported by the Senate and a professional army. The chapter explores how the empire managed its vast territories, the socioeconomic dynamics at play, and the eventual crises that led to its transformation during late antiquity, culminating in the rise of Islam and the fragmentation of the empire.
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What we have learnt
- The Roman Empire covered extensive territories and was known for its cultural diversity and administrative complexity.
- Key institutions included the emperor, the Senate, and the army, which together shaped the political landscape.
- The empire faced significant challenges in the third century leading to a crisis, which influenced its eventual transformation in late antiquity.
Key Concepts
- -- Principate
- The political system established by Augustus in 27 BCE, where he presented himself as the leading citizen rather than an absolute ruler.
- -- Crisis of the Third Century
- A period marked by internal strife, overexpansion, and threats from external forces that led to instability within the Roman Empire.
- -- Late Antiquity
- The period from the fourth to seventh centuries marked by significant cultural transformation, including the rise of Christianity and the expansion of Islam.
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