The Roman empire consisted of the lands surrounding the Mediterranean Sea and beyond that were under Roman rule from the end of the 500 year old Roman Republic, at the end the first Century BC, to AD1453 when Constantinople was finally overrun by the the advancing Turkish Empire. Initially controlled from Rome, in AD285 the Empire was split into two halves: a Western empire ruled from Rome and an Eastern empire ruled from Constantinople; after which the Western empire fell into steady decline due mainly to incursions by northern tribes and internal disputes between various claimants for the title of Emperor. The Eastern Empire continued on, occasionally re-conquering lands in the west, until its final collapse in AD1453.

Language:

Latin and Greek

Capitols:

Rome, Constantinople (E), Milan (W), Ravenna (W)

Dates:

27BC - Augustus proclaimed Augustus

AD285 - Empire split into Eastern and Western halves

AD330 - Constantine proclaims Constantinople as capitol of the empire.

AD1453 - Constantinople is captured by the Turks

Population:

Over 80 million at its maximum