Starting with kings in Rome and ending with emperors in Constantinople, the Roman state lasted about 2,000 years. It reached its peak power under the the late republic and the first Caesars. Did they celebrate its 250th anniversary? Or its 1,000th?
I was listening to the conversation Lex Fridman had with Anthony Kaldellis—the state survived through changes of capitals, languages, and religions. What seems to have been constant was the legal system. Emperors were appointed, inherited the crown from their fathers, or seized power by military force, but ordinary citizens could still expect the justice system to function.
According to Kardellis the emperor were drawing their legitimacy thru competence.
Was pane et circenses or justice?
Turns out Rome celebrated its 1,000 anniversary. Usual circus.
According to Wiki the Ludi saeculares emperor was Philip the Arab who might have been the first Christian emperor. He also made peace with Persia. the expenses of the cellebration led to his fall.
