44 B.C.E. to 14 C.E.
Due to Julius Caesar´s death Rome had civil wars that lasted over ten years. After the civil wars Caesar´ś grandnephew and adopted son Octavian ruled Rome. Thus Rome had its forth expansion, it was a empire. To gain power Octavian had to beat jealous rivals, one of them being Marc Anthony. Marc was a popular general who married Queen Cleopatra (from Egypt). During a Sea battle near Actium, Greece, Octavian defeated Marc and Cleopatra. Octavian will now be the ruler of the Mediterranean region. Octavian was given the title Augustus which translates to 'honored', with this power he lied to the people of Rome and said that he was restoring the power of the Senate, but he was actually completely in charge. Augustus encouraged things such as literature, art and education. He conducted amazing projects and made Rome's first police force and firefighters. To defend the empire better he moved borders to natural land boundaries. Augustus also made a strong economy, at one point goods were coming from China. Rome also established a system of currency. Augustus brutally punished people who weer unfaithful to there partner. Under Rome, there is a period of 200 years of peace (called Pax Romana). Later emperors added to the territory controlled by Rome, which spanned from Britain to the Red Sea. This will be the greatest empire the world has ever seen.