1. The Roman Empire

2. It began as a small village on the Tiber River in Italy about 2,700 years ago.

3. Romulus and Remus grew up to start Rome on the shores of the Tiber River.

4. At first, Rome was ruled by kings
At first, Rome was ruled by kings. About 2,500 years ago Romans decided they did not want to be ruled by kings anymore.

5. The Romans set up a republic
The Romans set up a republic. Rich men were called patricians, the common people of Rome were called plebeians.

6. Romans built a strong army
Romans built a strong army. The people of Carthage, wanted to stop Rome controlling trade in the Mediterranean.

7. Hannibal surprised Romans attacking them from the north instead of by the sea.

8. One of the most famous dictators was Julius Caesar.

9. Augustus became the first emperor of Rome.

10. Jesus born in Palestine, he became a teacher
Jesus born in Palestine, he became a teacher. Some people did not like what Jesus taught, and they sentenced Jesus to death.

11. Roman builders were also famous for their aqueducts.

12. Summary: The Roman Empire.
The ideas of Greece helped shape Roman civilization. Rome began as a republic but eventually became an empire ruled by emperors. The birth of Jesus Christ occurred during the reign of the emperor Augustus Caesar. For a long time, Christianity was against the law in the Roman Empire. The emperor Constantine made Christianity legal.