The most common was to date a year by the names of the two consuls of Rome. During the Empire, these men took office on January 1. Consular dating lasted through the Republic and into the Empire until AD 537, when Justinian introduced an official system of dating based on the year of an emperors reign.

What was the greatest period of the Roman Empire?

The first two centuries of the Empire saw a period of unprecedented stability and prosperity known as the Pax Romana (Roman Peace). Rome reached its greatest territorial expanse during the reign of Trajan (AD 98–117).

What are the dates for the Roman Empire?

The history of the Roman Empire can be divided into three distinct periods: The Period of Kings (625-510 BC), Republican Rome (510-31 BC), and Imperial Rome (31 BC – AD 476).

What is the traditional date for the beginning of the Roman Empire?

April 21st, 753 BC The traditional date for the founding of Rome is April 21st, 753 BC. Capitoline Wolf suckles the infant twins Romulus and Remus.

What year was the Roman Empire at its peak?

117 AD The Roman Empire reached its greatest size under the reign of Trajan in 117 AD.

What empire lasted the longest?

The Roman Empire The Roman Empire is considered to have been the most enduring in history. The formal start date of the empire remains the subject of debate, but most historians agree that the clock began ticking in 27 BC, when the Roman politician Octavian overthrew the Roman Republic to become Emperor Augustus.

Was Rome ever ruled by kings?

Overview. Early Rome was ruled by the king (rex). The king possessed absolute power over the people. The senate was a weak oligarchy, capable of exercising only minor administrative powers, so that Rome was ruled by its king who was in effect an absolute monarch.