Periods of the Roman Empire

Question 1

Regal Period (c. 1000–509 BCE)

Answer 1

Rome was ruled by kings, traditionally starting with its foundation in 753 BCE.

Question 2

Republic (509–31 BCE)

Answer 2

Rome was governed by elected officials, following the principle of res publica (“public affairs”).

Question 3

Imperial Period (31 BCE–476 CE)

Answer 3

Rome was ruled by emperors (imperatores), holding religious, political, and military authority.

Question 4

Late Antiquity (2nd–4th century CE onward)

Answer 4

A modern classification studying the transformation of the later Roman Empire. Scholars debate its exact start.