The Roman Empire's Austrian Legacy: Names And Influence

The Romans called what is now Austria Noricum, a Celtic kingdom dating from c. 800 to 400 BC. The Romans arrived in 200 BC and by 15 BC they dominated the entire area. The most important Roman settlement in Austria was Carnuntum, the capital of the Roman province of Pannonia in today’s Lower Austria. The area that is now Vienna was a Roman military camp called Vindobona.

In the later half of the second century AD, various German tribes were extending their territory, making devastating incursions into Roman territories. By the mid-500s, the Bavarians controlled the territory between the eastern Alps and the Wienerwald region.

Around 800, Charlemagne, the king of the Franks and eventually Holy Roman Emperor, established a territory in the Danube valley known as the Ostmark (Eastern March). In 996, the Ostmark was first referred to as Ostarrichi, a clear forerunner of the modern German word Österreich.

The Roman Empire and the Austrian Empire

The Roman Empire conquered the area that is now Austria in the 1st century BC, and it remained under Roman control until the 5th century AD. During this time, the region was known as Noricum and was a province of the Roman Empire. The Romans built many cities in the area, including Vindobona (Vienna), Juvavum (Salzburg), and Brigantium (Bregenz).

The Austrian Empire, on the other hand, emerged much later, in the 19th century, as a result of the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire. The Austrian Empire was formally established in 1804 by Franz I, who was concerned about the potential threat posed by Napoleon Bonaparte's expansionist ambitions. The Austrian Empire was a much smaller entity than the Roman Empire, and it was primarily focused on the Danube Valley region.

The Austrian Empire lasted until 1867, when it was transformed into the Austro-Hungarian Empire through the Austro-Hungarian Compromise. This new entity was a dual monarchy, with separate Austrian and Hungarian realms, each with its own constitution and administration. The Austro-Hungarian Empire lasted until the end of World War I in 1918, when it was dissolved and replaced by independent Austria and Hungary.

The Holy Roman Empire

The Habsburg dynasty began to gain power in the 13th century, and by 1273, they had established themselves as rulers of several territories within the empire. In 1440, the Habsburgs became rulers of the empire, and they would remain in power until its dissolution in 1806.

The empire was a major power in European politics and played a significant role in the religious and political conflicts of the time, including the Protestant Reformation and the Thirty Years' War. The empire was weakened by the Napoleonic Wars, and in 1806, the last Holy Roman Emperor, Francis II, dissolved the empire and established the Austrian Empire.

The Habsburgs

In 1273, Count Radbot's seventh-generation descendant, Rudolph of Habsburg, was elected King of the Romans. He appointed his sons as Dukes of Austria and moved the family's power base to Vienna, where the Habsburg dynasty gained the name of "House of Austria" and ruled until 1918. The throne of the Holy Roman Empire was continuously occupied by the Habsburgs from 1440 until their extinction in the male line in 1740, and, as the Habsburg-Lorraines, from 1765 until its dissolution in 1806.

The Habsburg dynasty achieved its highest position when Charles V was elected Holy Roman Emperor in 1519. Much of Charles's reign was dedicated to the fight against Protestantism, which led to its eradication throughout vast areas under Habsburg control. The Habsburgs ruled over the Holy Roman Empire, Rulers of Austria, Kings of Bohemia, Kings of Spain, Kings of Hungary and Croatia, King of England and Ireland, Kings of Portugal, Grand princes of Transylvania, Kings of Galicia and Lodomeria, Emperor of Mexico, and many other titles.

The Habsburg monarchy began to fracture in the face of inevitable defeat during the final years of World War I and ultimately disbanded with the proclamation of the Republic of German-Austria and the First Hungarian Republic in late 1918.

The Ottoman Empire

The empire's history can be divided into several periods, including its founding, expansion, peak, decline, and dissolution. Here is an overview of the Ottoman Empire's history:

Founding and Expansion (Late 13th Century to Early 15th Century)

Peak (15th Century to Late 16th Century)

Decline (Late 16th Century to Early 18th Century)

Starting in the 1600s, the Ottoman Empire began to lose its economic and military dominance. The rise of rival powers, poor leadership, and competition from trade in the Americas and India contributed to the empire's decline. The defeat at the Battle of Vienna in 1683 marked a significant blow to the Ottomans' power and influence in Europe.

Dissolution (19th Century to Early 20th Century)

The Napoleonic Wars

The Coalition Wars

The Coalition Wars were a series of conflicts between the First French Empire and a succession of coalitions, known as the Coalition, formed by various European monarchies. The wars were fought in two main theatres: the Peninsular War on the Iberian Peninsula and a wider struggle that ranged across the rest of Europe, including the Baltic and North Sea coasts, the Mediterranean and Black Seas, the Middle East, and the Atlantic Ocean. The Coalition Wars were characterised by the dominance of the French armies, led by Napoleon, and the eventual emergence of a new type of warfare, with large armies of previously unseen size and scope.

The first major conflict of the Coalition Wars was the War of the Third Coalition (1805), which was fought between the French Empire and the Third Coalition, which included the Austrian Empire, the Russian Empire, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and a collection of German states within the Holy Roman Empire. The war began when the United Kingdom, understanding the threat posed by Napoleon, seized French merchant ships and colonies. In response, Napoleon formed an army, known as the Grande Armée, and invaded the Austrian Empire, defeating them at the Battle of Ulm. Napoleon then marched on the Austrian capital, Vienna, capturing it in November 1805. He then moved into Moravia, where he met the remnants of the Austrian army and the oncoming Russians, defeating them at the Battle of Austerlitz. This victory forced Austria to make peace, and in the Treaty of Pressburg, they ceded territory to Napoleon's German allies and his Kingdom of Italy.

The War of the Fourth Coalition (1806-1807) was fought between the French Empire and the Fourth Coalition, which included Prussia, Russia, Saxony, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. The war began when Napoleon invaded Prussia, defeating them at the Battle of Jena-Auerstedt. This victory allowed Napoleon to capture Berlin and enter Warsaw. The Russians, who had been marching to support the Prussians, were defeated at the Battle of Friedland, forcing them to make peace. In the Treaties of Tilsit, Russia and France agreed to an alliance, and Prussia was forced to cede territory, reduce its army, and pay an indemnity.

The War of the Fifth Coalition (1809) was fought between the French Empire and the Fifth Coalition, which included the Austrian Empire and the United Kingdom. The war began when the Austrian Empire, encouraged by the British, invaded Bavaria, a French ally. Napoleon quickly marched on Vienna, capturing it in May 1809. The Austrians defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Aspern-Essling, but Napoleon regrouped and defeated them at the Battle of Wagram. In the Treaty of Schönbrunn, the Austrian Empire was forced to cede territory and become a virtual subject state of France.

The War of the Sixth Coalition (1812-1814) was fought between the French Empire and the Sixth Coalition, which included Prussia, Russia, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, and a collection of German states. The war began when Napoleon invaded Russia, capturing Moscow. However, the Russians used scorched earth tactics, and the French army was devastated by the harsh winter and guerrilla attacks. Napoleon was forced to retreat, losing over 300,000 men. This defeat encouraged the other members of the Coalition to declare war, and they quickly invaded France, forcing Napoleon to abdicate in April 1814.

The Peninsular War

The Peninsular War was fought between France and the allied powers of Spain, the United Kingdom, and Portugal. The war began when French and Spanish forces invaded Portugal, a British ally. The British responded by sending an army to Portugal, which, together with the Spanish, forced the French to retreat. Over the next few years, the French were gradually pushed back, and in 1812, the Anglo-Portuguese forces, led by Arthur Wellesley, invaded Spain, capturing Madrid and advancing on France. In early 1814, the Allies entered southern France and, together with other Coalition armies, forced Napoleon to abdicate and go into exile on Elba.

Aftermath

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