What do you wonder about the Roman Empire?
Ancient Rome and Early Christianity (509 B.C.-A.D. 476) Lesson 2 The Roman Empire: Rise and Decline
Empire Building Through Conquest
After conquering the Italian peninsula, Rome began to build an empire around the Mediterranean Sea. This expansion brought great riches but created conflicts that divided Roman society and weakened and finally crushed the republic. Out of the rubble, however, rose the Roman empire and a new chapter in Rome’s long history.
Empire Building Through Conquest
Praetorian Guards were skilled and loyal bodyguards who protected generals during the time of the late republic. Later, they became an elite guard for Roman emperors.
The Roman Republic Declines
A century of turmoil and civil wars engulfed Rome after the murders of the Gracchus brothers, whose attempts to bring reforms had failed. At issue was who should hold power—the senate, which wanted to govern as it had in the past, or popular political leaders, who wanted to weaken the senate and enact reforms.
The Roman Republic Declines
Caesar was a brilliant military commander. His victories allowed Caesar to force the senate to make him dictator. Here, a Gallic tribal leader surrenders to Caesar.
The Roman Empire
The senate gave the triumphant Octavian the title of Augustus (aw GUHS tuhs), or Exalted One, and declared him princeps, or first citizen. Although he was careful not to call himself king, a title that Romans had hated since Etruscan times, Augustus exercised absolute power and named his successor, just as a king would do.
The Roman Empire
There were many emperors who helped make Rome great during the period 27 B.C.toA.D.306.
The Roman Empire
A Roman military census, or survey, occurred every 5 years.
The Roman Empire
There were significant differences between the governments of the Roman republic and the Roman empire.
The Roman Empire Splits
After ruling the Mediterranean for hundreds of years, the Roman empire faced threats from inside and outside. Political and economic problems, along with foreign invasions, shook the empire. In fact, these problems had existed since the late republic. Roman greatness did not end overnight. As decay set in, some emperors tried to halt the decline. But no ruler was able to reverse the long, slow collapse.
The Roman Empire Splits
There were many factors that led to the decline of the Roman empire.
The Roman Empire Splits
Diocletian divided the empire into eastern and western halves to make governing more manageable.
The Roman Empire Splits
Constantine became one of Rome's most famous emperors. One of his most influential legacies was granting freedom of worship to all citizens of the Roman empire.
Rome Faces Invasions
For centuries, Rome had faced attacks from the Germanic peoples who lived along its borders. When Rome was powerful, its legions on the frontiers held back the invaders. Some of the Germanic tribes along the borders of the empire had learned Roman ways and become allies.
Rome Faces Invasions
Hun tribesmen migrated from Central Asia into Europe about A.D.361, ravaging villages in their path.
Rome Faces Invasions
Analyze Maps The empire's weakened borders made it vulnerable to invasions by tribal groups from across Europe. What appears to be the common goal of all the tribes' invasions? Write your answer on your notes
Why Did Rome Fall?
Romans line up to pay their taxes. The government, desperate for funds to support its massive army, imposed oppressive taxes on Rome's citizens.
Why Did Rome Fall?
The 'fall' of Rome is often seen as an important event in the history of Western civilization. Why did Rome “fall”? Modern historians identify a number of interrelated causes.
Many factors led to the fall of Rome. The main reasons are cited on the chart.
Quiz: Empire Building Through Conquest
Quiz: The Roman Republic Declines
Quiz: The Roman Empire
Quiz: The Roman Empire Splits
Quiz: Rome Faces Invasions
Quiz: Why Did Rome Fall?
Congratulations
You have completed the webquest. Now you can begin working on the homework assignment.
Restart
Lesson 6: The Roman Empire: Rise and Decline
Vincent Hiller
Created on October 3, 2025
Start designing with a free template
Discover more than 1500 professional designs like these:
View
The Power of Roadmap
View
Simulation: How to Act Against Bullying
View
Artificial Intelligence in Corporate Environments
View
Internal Guidelines for Artificial Intelligence Use
View
Interactive Onboarding Guide
View
Word Search
View
Sorting Cards
Explore all templates
Transcript
What do you wonder about the Roman Empire?
Ancient Rome and Early Christianity (509 B.C.-A.D. 476) Lesson 2 The Roman Empire: Rise and Decline
Empire Building Through Conquest
After conquering the Italian peninsula, Rome began to build an empire around the Mediterranean Sea. This expansion brought great riches but created conflicts that divided Roman society and weakened and finally crushed the republic. Out of the rubble, however, rose the Roman empire and a new chapter in Rome’s long history.
Empire Building Through Conquest
Praetorian Guards were skilled and loyal bodyguards who protected generals during the time of the late republic. Later, they became an elite guard for Roman emperors.
The Roman Republic Declines
A century of turmoil and civil wars engulfed Rome after the murders of the Gracchus brothers, whose attempts to bring reforms had failed. At issue was who should hold power—the senate, which wanted to govern as it had in the past, or popular political leaders, who wanted to weaken the senate and enact reforms.
The Roman Republic Declines
Caesar was a brilliant military commander. His victories allowed Caesar to force the senate to make him dictator. Here, a Gallic tribal leader surrenders to Caesar.
The Roman Empire
The senate gave the triumphant Octavian the title of Augustus (aw GUHS tuhs), or Exalted One, and declared him princeps, or first citizen. Although he was careful not to call himself king, a title that Romans had hated since Etruscan times, Augustus exercised absolute power and named his successor, just as a king would do.
The Roman Empire
There were many emperors who helped make Rome great during the period 27 B.C.toA.D.306.
The Roman Empire
A Roman military census, or survey, occurred every 5 years.
The Roman Empire
There were significant differences between the governments of the Roman republic and the Roman empire.
The Roman Empire Splits
After ruling the Mediterranean for hundreds of years, the Roman empire faced threats from inside and outside. Political and economic problems, along with foreign invasions, shook the empire. In fact, these problems had existed since the late republic. Roman greatness did not end overnight. As decay set in, some emperors tried to halt the decline. But no ruler was able to reverse the long, slow collapse.
The Roman Empire Splits
There were many factors that led to the decline of the Roman empire.
The Roman Empire Splits
Diocletian divided the empire into eastern and western halves to make governing more manageable.
The Roman Empire Splits
Constantine became one of Rome's most famous emperors. One of his most influential legacies was granting freedom of worship to all citizens of the Roman empire.
Rome Faces Invasions
For centuries, Rome had faced attacks from the Germanic peoples who lived along its borders. When Rome was powerful, its legions on the frontiers held back the invaders. Some of the Germanic tribes along the borders of the empire had learned Roman ways and become allies.
Rome Faces Invasions
Hun tribesmen migrated from Central Asia into Europe about A.D.361, ravaging villages in their path.
Rome Faces Invasions
Analyze Maps The empire's weakened borders made it vulnerable to invasions by tribal groups from across Europe. What appears to be the common goal of all the tribes' invasions? Write your answer on your notes
Why Did Rome Fall?
Romans line up to pay their taxes. The government, desperate for funds to support its massive army, imposed oppressive taxes on Rome's citizens.
Why Did Rome Fall?
The 'fall' of Rome is often seen as an important event in the history of Western civilization. Why did Rome “fall”? Modern historians identify a number of interrelated causes.
Many factors led to the fall of Rome. The main reasons are cited on the chart.
Quiz: Empire Building Through Conquest
Quiz: The Roman Republic Declines
Quiz: The Roman Empire
Quiz: The Roman Empire Splits
Quiz: Rome Faces Invasions
Quiz: Why Did Rome Fall?
Congratulations
You have completed the webquest. Now you can begin working on the homework assignment.
Restart