The Growth and Spread of Rome

<Tab/>Rome transformed from a city to one of the most powerful Empires of all time. The Roman Republic had many troubles, since the new constitution was not flawless and there remained powerful external enemies. Internally, one serious threat was the feuding of the leading families, many of whom commanded the support of large numbers of clients and used them on occasion to subvert the power of the state. Another was …

…and eventually resolved itself into direct military conflict between Octavian and Mark Antony. Octavian's victory at the battle of Actium left him sole ruler, and in 27 BCE the Senate granted him the title Augustus, making him the first official emperor of Rome and many came to follow. <Tab/>The final ruler of Rome, Romulus Augustus, gave up the throne. The abdication of Romulus Augustus marked the end of the Roman Empire