Roman Empire

The Roman Empire was a post-Roman Republic period of ancient Rome, lasting 1,500 years. 
In the TACITUS series, the Roman Empire, in a massive divergence from the Old Timeline, lasted several longer and eventually discovered and colonized the New World, eventually establishing what would become the United States of America. 
==History==
Main article: Roman Empire
===Pre-divergence history===
For real life information, see Roman Empire , Western Roman Empire and Eastern Roman Empire
===Point of diversion===
In the TACITUS series, the main point of diversion in the Roman Empire's history occurred in 101 AD, when a Roman ship is blown off course and ends up in what is now the Eastern Seaboard of the United States. They encountered Native American Indians, who were intrigued by the Romans, and formed an uneasy peace with them. After months of exploring the land while the Native Americans assisted the Romans in fixing their damaged ship, they sailed back to Rome, where they reported their findings to Emperor Trajan. Intrigued, Trajan sent more explorers and scouts, only this time under the protection of Roman military legions. In 105 AD, the Romans began to settle and trade with the Native Americans, forming a partnership. In 126 AD, Trajan's successor Hadrian commissioned even more explorers and settlers to find farmable land to use in America, hoping to establish a future colony there. By 127 AD, approximately five million Romans came to the Eastern United States in order to form new settlements. 
Meanwhile, Ancient Rome found itself facing turmoil at home: tensions grew and civil war erupted. Poor rulers didn't help either. The Praetorian Guard, formerly a highly respected elite unit sworn to serve the emperor, turned into a body that would sell itself to the highest bidder. During the middle of the 3rd century, Rome suffered through more than 30 emperors in a span of 70 years, and the empire nearly collapsed under the pressure of internal revolts and barbarian invaders. 
However, despite all this, a new strong ruler of Ancient Rome emerged, Tertius Icilius Candidius. Years after the death of the previous emperor, Constantine XI, Tertius Icilius Candidius took over as the new emperor. He ruled the Roman Empire until the year 1510, when the Roman Empire finally collapsed due to economic turmoil and military aggression from other civilizations, which sparked the beginning of the so-called "Roman Exodus."
==Culture==
Main article: Culture of Ancient Rome
==Military==
Main articles: Military of ancient Rome and Imperial Roman Army
==Trivia==
*It can be said that the Roman Empire's legacy was somewhat preserved with the colonization of the Americas by the Romans.