What are the two main periods of ancient Roman history?

The two main periods of ancient Roman history are the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire.

1. The Roman Republic (509 BC – 27 BC): This period begins with the overthrow of the Roman Kingdom and ends with the establishment of the Roman Empire. It was a time of great expansion for Rome, both in terms of territory and influence. The Roman Republic was characterized by a system of government in which power was balanced among different branches of government. The main bodies of the Republic were the Senate, the Assemblies, and the Magistrates.

2. The Roman Empire (27 BC – AD 476): This period begins with Augustus becoming the first Roman Emperor and ends with the fall of the Western Roman Empire. The Roman Empire was characterized by autocratic rule and the expansion of Roman law, Roman culture, and the Latin language throughout the empire. The Roman Empire reached its greatest territorial extent during the reign of Trajan (AD 98–117).