10 Facts About the ‘Glory of Rome’

The Eternal City; the Roman Republic; the Roman Empire – a civilisation that conquered and transformed much of the known world at the time. The ‘Glory of Rome’ refers to the epic achievements of Ancient Rome, whether military, architectural or institutional – from the Colosseum to the spread of Roman Law.

Here are ten facts and examples of what was the Glory of Rome.

1. In the 2nd century AD, the Roman Empire had an estimated population of around 65 million people

Probably around a quarter of the world’s population at the time.

2. The period from 96 AD to 180 AD has been labelled the time of the ‘Five Good Emperors’

Emperor Nerva.

Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius each chose his successor while in office. There was stability of succession but no hereditary dynasties were established.

3. During Trajan’s reign (98 – 117 AD) the Empire reached its greatest geographical extent

Map by Tataryn77 via Wikimedia Commons.

It was possible to travel from Britain to the Persian Gulf without leaving Roman territory.

4. Trajan’s Column was built to celebrate final victory in the Dacian Wars of 101 AD to 106 AD

Dan visits the remarkable Fishbourne Palace and sees first hand why it is one of the greatest Roman sites in Britain.

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It is one of the most important visual sources on Roman military life. About 2,500 individual figures are shown on its 20 round stone blocks, each of which weighs 32 tons.

5. In 122 AD Hadrian was able to order the building of a wall in Britain ‘to separate Romans from barbarians’

Neil Oliver visits the Wall - a massive statement of the power of the Roman Empire. Neil looks at recent discoveries which uncover the lives of the people who built and lived along the wall.

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The wall was about 73 miles long and up to 10 feet high. Built of stone with regular forts and customs posts, it is an extraordinary achievement and parts of it still survive.

6. At its height the Roman Empire covered 40 modern nations and 5 million square km

7. The Empire built great cities

From Gladiator to Rome Total War to I, Claudius today the Praetorians are one of the most distinctive military units of Imperial Rome. It was their job to protect the Roman Emperor and his household, a task for which they hold a somewhat ‘chequered’ record (especially when we focus in on the Praetorian Prefects). But what do we know about this unit’s origins? How did this powerful force become protectors of the Emperor and his household? What other functions did they serve?

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The three largest, Rome, Alexandria (in Egypt) and Antioch (in modern Syria), were each twice as large as the largest European cities at the start of the 17th century.

8. Under Hadrian the Roman army has been estimated to have been 375,000 men in strength

Join Dr Simon Elliott in this two part series where, with the help of leading experts Dr Sophie Jackson and Dr Rebecca Redfern, he tells the story of Roman London. From Boudica’s infamous destruction to how this ancient metropolis became a capital of breakaway usurpers. In this second episode, Simon looks at Roman London's later history. From the age of Severus in c.200 AD to the city's demise some two centuries later.

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9. In order to fight the Dacians, Trajan built what was for 1,000 years the longest arched bridge in the world

A 20th century reconstruction of Trajan’s Bridge across the Danube.

The bridge across the Danube was 1,135m long and 15m wide.

10. The Pax Romana (Roman Peace) dates from 27 BC to 180 AD

Tristan Hughes is joined by Peta Greenfield to talk through the history of the Vestal Virgins.

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There was almost total peace within the Empire, law and order was maintained and the Roman economy boomed.