This Italian city was the capital of the Roman EmpireRoman Empire The Roman Empire succeeded the 500-year old Roman Republic in 27 BC, and had reached it territorial peak by the early 2nd century AD. Britain came under Roman rule in 43 AD under the Emperor Claudius. The last Roman military and administrative presence in Britain was withdrawn in the early 5th century, but left a legacy of Roman infrastructure and culture that was to form the basis for the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and, with the primacy accorded to the bishops of RomeRome This Italian city was the capital of the Roman Empire and, with the primacy accorded to the bishops of Rome (the popes), the centre of the Western Church from the late-Antique period onwards. Rome was not only the administrative centre, but an important source of innovation, relics and liturgy. Missionaries from Rome played an important role in the conversion of Anglo-Saxon England from late 6th century onward. (the popes), the centre of the Western Church from the late-Antique period onwards. Rome was not only the administrative centre, but an important source of innovation, relics and liturgy. Missionaries from Rome played an important role in the conversion of Anglo-Saxon England from late 6th century onward.