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The Fall of the Great Empires on HISTORY INTERNATIONAL airs ALL WEEK! |
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Did you know in Rome...
...Romulus Augustus was the last Emperor of Rome and was dethroned by the Germanic ruler Odoacer in 476AD.
...The word “Emperor” comes from the word Imperator which meant ‘Commander’ in the Roman/Latin language. Emperors frequently went to battle with their troops and almost always a military background was a prerequisite for the position.
...The two major factors why the Roman empire succeeded where other empires failed are: 1)A huge capacity for integration of peoples and cultures into Roman citizenship and culture through its expansive network of roads and waterways and 2) a democratic form of government.
...During the Varus Battle in the Teutoburg Forest (present day Germany) near the Rhine River, allied Germanic tribes ambushed three Roman legions and crushed them. The Roman leader Varus, was beheaded and his head was sent back to Rome. After this battle, Rome reconsidered hiring mercenary armies, as many of the German soldiers defected during this battle to fight against the Romans.
...According to the program, one of the main factors for the demise of the Roman empire was the hiring of mercenaries to fill the gaps in the Roman legions that were intended to protect Rome.
...At the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312 AD, Constantine and his soldiers employed the use of Christian symbols on their battle standards and sheilds. After coming to power, Constantine ended persecution of Christianity in all of his provinces, paving the way for the religion to spread throughout the empire.
...The Huns were a large nomadic, military tribe from North Central Asia. Their campaigns into Eastern Europe forced large migrations and inevitably brought about the end of the Roman Empire. Attila, their greatest King, invaded Italy and Gaul in 451 AD, and ravaged the countryside until 453 AD when they retreated.
Did you know in Egypt...
...The famous battle of Actium between the Roman Emperor Augustus and Marc Antony and Egyptian queen Cleopatra, led to the demise of Marc Antony and Cleopatra's reign over Egypt.
...The Greek philosopher Herodotus was amazed by Egyptian technology and science when he visited Alexandria during the 5th century BC.
...Abydos is believed to be the origin of the first Egyptian dynasty. Located near the Nile, archeologists discovered the first writing about the 'Scorpion King' circa 3200 BC. Hieroglyphics allowed Egyptians to create continuity among their people which contributed to their success.
...During the reign of Ramses II circa 1279 BC, the capital of Egypt was moved to Piramesse. After barely escaping a battle with the Assyrians in Kadesh, Ramses realized stability is more easily achieved through peace than war.
...The Pyramids of Giza, specifically the Great Pyramid of Khufu, are considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
...After Augustus defeated Marc Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium and took control of Egypt, he was given the title of Pharaoh.
...Augustus transported two obelisks of red granite, from The Sun Temple at Heliopolis to Alexandria in 14 BC. Later referred to as "Cleopatra's Needles" these obelisks were sent to England and the United States as gifts from Ismail Pasha in 1878. Today the obelisks are located on the Thames embankment in London and Central Park in New York City.
Did you know in Carthage...
...that the ancient city of Carthage was located in Northern Africa, near modern day Tunisia.
...The Second Punic War established Hannibal as a great military strategist and a powerful leader.
...The Battle at Cannae in 216 BC is depicted as one of the greatest military victories in history. Hannibal’s troops assumed a crescent-shaped formation to meet the Roman troops, which were especially concentrated in the center. As the Romans advanced, Hannibal by brilliant strategy managed to encircle the entire Roman force and cut it to pieces.
...Hannibal decided against marching on the heavily defended city of Rome even though he had great opportunity to after the Battle of Cannae. Instead he continued south hoping to stir up a revolt. Hannibal did not have the supplies to adequately support a prolonged seige of Rome.
...In 203 BC, Hannibal was recalled to Carthage to defend the advances of Scipio who was in Africa. At the battle of Zama, he was decisively beaten. Later in 183 BC, he supported a revolt by the Syrian King Antiochus III, but that revolt was put down and he poisoned himself rather than be handed over to the Roman authorities.
Did you know in Persia...
...Cyrus the Great had established the Persian Empire by 546 BC.
...The most popular type of conveyence that the Persians used in their travels were camels.
...Alexander the Great ruled for a short 13 years. During that time he helped to create a legacy that would last centuries in the city-states that were modeled after Greek institutions.
...Alexander the Great was born a Macedonian in 356 BC. By the age of 20, his father had been murdered and he ascended to the throne.
...The greatest treasure of Persia was gold.
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