Rome, with its iron-like strength, expanded across Europe and the Mediterranean. It was a period of relative peace and prosperity, known as the Pax Romana. However, beneath the surface, corruption and decadence eroded Rome's foundations.
As the centuries passed, Rome faced internal strife and external pressures. In 476 AD, the Western Roman Empire fell to barbarian invasions, while the Eastern Byzantine Empire persisted. The iron legs of Rome had weakened, signaling the transition to a new era.