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Julius Caesar begins to gain popularity in the Roman Republic. Julius Caesar forces the Roman Senate to make him dictator. Caesar institutes reforms to solve Rome's problems. Caesar was sorrounded by the Roman Senate and stabbed to death in the Ides of March in 44 B.C.E. After his death, civil wars began to break out.
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<a href='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BZyZ-__6z4&feature=related TARGET="_blank"' >a</a>After Julius Caesar dies, civil wars broke out . These civil wars were contested by Octavian and Marc Antony. Octavian and Marc Antony join as leaders. Mark Antony and his girlfriend, Cleopatra who was Empress of Egypt, devise a plan to kill Octavian. Octavian assembles an army to battle Marc Antony and Cleopatra. Octavan becomes sole leader. Cleopatra and Marc Antony commit suicide. The Roman Senate names Octavian Augustus Caesar. He becomes first Emperor of Rome.
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Octavian laid a stable government which functioned for 200 years which was known as Pax Romana. Pax Romana was 27 B.C.E. to 180 C.E. During this time, there were no wars It was a peaceful time throughout Rome.
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In 161 C.E Marcus Aurelius came to power in the roman empire he was the last of a series of five good leaders. Aurelius ruled from 161 C.E to 181 C.E , which was the year Pax Romana ended. Aurelius was a very active leader he spent most of his rule fighting off invasions with his troops. Chose his son, Commodus to sucede him.
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In 313 C.E., Constantine signed the Edict of Milan which granted the freedom to worship. In 330 C.E., he moved the capital of Rome to Byzantium and later renamed to Constantinople.
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<a href='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFB56tpPHa4 TARGET="_blank"' >video</a>When Diocletian abdicated, he never named a successor. The battle of the Milivian Bridge was fought. During the batle, Constantine saw a heavenly sign. He ordered all of his troops to put this sign on their shields. Constantine later won the battle. Constantine created the victory to the Christian gods. He declared Christianity throughout the Roman Empire. When Constantine won the battle, he unified the Western and Eastern empires.
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In 337 C.E., Constantine dies of old age. During his reign, Constantine expaned the Christian religion throughout the Empire. Everyone embraced Christianity.
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Germanic tribes began to attack from Eastern Europe. In 400 C.E., Romans could not hold off their invaders. In 410 C.E., the Visigoths captured and looted Rome for their own. In 455 C.E., the Vandals left Rome powerless. In 476 C.E., the Ostrogoths led the final collapse of the Roman Empire. After Rome fell, the eastern part continued to flourish which turned into the Byzantine Empire. The Western part was divided among the Germanic tribes.
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Commodus was the first of a series of bad leaders. He was more interested in entertaining his people than the governement. Commodus ruled from 180 C.E to 192 C.E When he ran low on money he ordered the death of wealthy citizens, citizens hated him. Commodus' sister tried to assassinate him but failed. Later in 192 C.E Commodus was killed by a group of senators.
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Many years after Commodus' death in 192 C.E. Diocletian came to power of the roman empire, he worked to strengthen Rome and stop the decline. Diocletian appointed a co-emperor , Maximian who ruled the poorer western empire while Diocletian ruled the much more wealthy eastern empire. Each emperor had a vice emperor. He doubled the size of the army but in 305 C.E he abdicated or gave up power.
