The Roman Empire was a vast and diverse society which was ruled by a centralized government from the city of Rome. Rome, for the most part, did not resemble the territories it ruled in every aspect of culture, religion or normal everyday life. The empire therefore needed the ability to adjust the way in which it ruled in order to keep power, and remain in charge of the territory without threatening its citizens, which could sprout revolt. Despite the vastness of the territory Rome ruled, it was still able to develop a society free from worry of attack by surrounding nations or the citizens themselves. They accomplished this rule through a highly organized system of emperors, governors and proconsuls which all worked together under the rule of the emperor. The emperor also had an army scattered throughout the empire that could be used to his disposal in situations where force was needed.

This site will explain the role and structure the government developed in ruling their vast expanses of the empire. In keeping with the theme of the course I will show how the Romans ruled from two main points of view: Roman rule from a Christian and Roman citizen point of view.

Imperial

Christianity