General Facts
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For a visual of the rise & fall of the Romans', click on me!
Ancient Rome started growing on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to become on of the largest empires in the ancient world. The Roman Empire lasted around twelve centuries and throughout it's years, switched from a monarchy, to an aristocratic republic, to an increasing autocratic empire. The Romans dominated Southern, Western, and Eastern Europe, Asia Minor, and even North Africa.
Roman Gladiators
Gladiators were armed citizens who entertained Roman crowds, many in the famous Roman Colosseum, in violent confrontations with other gladiators and/or wild animals. The more games you won, the better armor and weapons you would receive, however, even with the extra equipment, being a gladiator often meant an early death. Gladiators were typically recruited from criminals, slaves/fugitives, and prisoners of war. Most of these men had no choice about becoming a gladiators, as long as the physical and emotional make-up necessary for the job, that became their profession.
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Technology
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Pont du Gard
Ancient Rome reached some revolutionary technological highs. For instance, the Romans created ways of insulation, hundreds of roads, a complex sewer and plumbing system, bridges, aqueducts (such as the Pont du Gard), baths, theaters, and arenas. The Romans also made some major contributions to healthcare involving sanitation. Many technological achievements made by the Roman Empire were lost in the Dark Ages and didn't come back until the 18th and 19th century.
Fall of the Roman Empire
At a basic level the emperors and government officials of the Late Roman Empire has forgotten what the empire was for. The wider interests of the population people second to their own success and survival. There were many selfish and corrupt individuals in earlier periods of Roman history, and by the late empire between all the lead poisoning diseases, the decreases empire, the revolts, and the wars, the Roman Empire slowly dwindled down to nothing.
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