The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire

The Roman Empire

• The Roman Empire included territory in Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia.

Expansion of the Roman Empire

• Rome expanded its rule to most of the Mediterranean and beyond.

The Rise of Octavian

• Octavian became the first Roman emperor after defeating Mark Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium.
• The title of Augustus was granted to Octavian after his victory at the Battle of Actium.

Organization of Roman Territories

• The Roman Empire was organized into senatorial and imperial provinces.

The End of Classical Antiquity

• The adoption of Christianity as the state church in 380 marked the end of classical antiquity and the beginning of the Middle Ages.

Pre-Octavian Instability

• Civil wars and internal power struggles were the two main factors that destabilized Rome before Octavian's victory at the Battle of Actium.

Christianity in the Roman Empire

• Christianity became the state church of the Roman Empire in 380.