The Roman Empire

When Octavian, who took the title of Augustus as the first emperor of Rome, defeated Mark Antony to become the sole ruler of the Roman world, it was a major turning point in Western civilization. Not only did his decades-long rule completely transform the old Roman Republic into the Roman Empire, but it also profoundly shaped the culture and history of our world today.The Roman Empire: From Augustus to the Fall of Rome traces this breathtaking history from the empire's foundation to its Golden Age in the 2nd century CE through a series of ever-worsening crises until its ultimate collapse. Taught by Professor Gregory S. Aldrete of the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, these 24 captivating lectures offer you the chance to experience this story like never before.You'll examine the major events and familiar figures of the Roman Empire, from Caligula and Nero to Marcus Aurelius and Constantine. You'll also look beyond the famous figures and delve deeply into the lives of ordinary Roman citizens. Read the messages they scribbled on walls as graffiti, examine what life was really like for average city-dwellers and the hazards they faced, spend a day at the chariot races, and explore some of the city's engineering marvels.We cannot truly understand ourselves unless we comprehend the vital influences of Rome on the modern world—and the lessons the empire can still teach us. The Roman Empire: From Augustus to the Fall of Rome is an excellent guide to one of the most important periods in world history.