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753 BCE
Birth of Rome
Based on legends Rome was founded by the brothers Romulus, of who the city is named after, and Remus in c. 753BC. -
149 BCE
Battle of Carthage
The Battle of Carthage marked the end of the Punic Wars and the victory of Rome over Carthage. This battle marked the annexation of Carthage by Rome and the complete destruction of its capital. Scipio Aemilianus was a distinguished officer in the battle, and Scipio Africanus is known as the main architect of Romes victory. This battle marked the end of the Punic Wars and the absorption of Carthaginian territories into the Emperor, a large addition at the time. -
Period: 115 BCE to 53 BCE
Marcus Licinius Crassus
Marcus Licinius Crassus was a key part in transforming the Roman Republic into the Empire. He was a statesman and general and was described as "the richest man in Rome." He was a political and financial backer of Caesar and took part in a political alliance with him and Pompey in dominating Roman Politics. This alliance was known as the First Triumvirate and fell apart after Crassus' death, which occurred in the Roman-Parthian war. -
Period: 106 BCE to 48 BCE
Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus
Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, known as Pompey, was a Roman statesman and general who played a major role in transforming Rome to an Empire. He took part in the First Triumvirate, where he married Caesar's daughter Julia to seal it. After the death of Crassus he became a political enemy of Caesar, fighting him for power over the Roman state. He eventually lost in Caesar's Civil War where he fled to Egypt and was executed. -
Period: 100 BCE to 44 BCE
Gaius Julius Caesar
Gaius Julius Caesar, is the most notable of all Roman leaders. He was a general and statesman, who eventually became dictator of Rome, destroying the Republic. His death marked the true end of the Republic and the transition into the Empire. A member of the First Triumvirate and powerful general he waged civil war against Pompey, where he was found victorious. His rule as dictator was cut short however, as he was assassinated by 40 fellow senators. -
Period: 83 BCE to 30 BCE
Marcus Antonius
Marcus Antonius was a relative of Julius Caesar and served as one of his generals in the Gallic Wars and Caesar's Civil War. After Caesars death he was a member of the Second Triumvirate, where he ruled Romes eastern provinces. Civil War nearly occurred between him and Octavian, but was avoided when he was married off to Octavian's sister. However Antony continued an affair with Queen of Egypt Cleopatra. Octavian would eventually go to war with him where he committed suicide with Cleopatra.a -
Period: 63 BCE to 14
Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus
Caesar Augustus, born Gaius Octavius, was the first Emperor of Rome and great-nephew to Julius Caesar. His reign marked the beginning of the Pax Romana and the Roman Principate. He formed the Second Triumvirate with Mark Antony and Marcus Lepidus, becoming dictator of Rome. However this alliance fell apart leaving Octavian as sole Emperor. He never truly crowned himself as Emperor but had complete power where he greatly expanded Roman possessions. -
48 BCE
Battle of Pharsalus
The Battle of Pharsalus marked the end of Caesar's Civil War and the Victory of Julius Caesar. The battle was fought between Caesar and Pompey, where Caesar was competing for power over the republic. The victory marked the end of the Civil War and the beginning of Caesars dictatorship. His rule would eventually bring about the end of the Republic and the beginning of the Empire. -
Period: 42 BCE to 37
Tiberius Julius Caesar Augustus
Tiberius Julius Caesar Augustus was the adopted heir to Octavian and a successful diplomat and general, where her greatly expanded Rome's northern frontier. He succeeded as Emperor late in life and was extremely insecure of his abilities and position, though he was an efficient and effective leader. After the death of his heirs he became reclusive and left rule to his friend Sejanus, whom he later executed. Tiberius died in shame and much of his work on expanding Rome's wealth was reversed. -
Period: 10 BCE to 54
Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus
Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, known as Claudius, was seen as weak and vulnerable throughout his life and reign. This is why he was spared from many purges, which eventually allowed him to become emperor. He was an effective leader and undid much of Caligula's wrongs and eventually began the conquest of Britain. His reign was rather tumultuous and ended in his murder by his wife. -
Period: 12 to 41
Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus
Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, known as Caligula was third Emperor of Rome and a highly controversial individual. He lived in isolation for much of his life until her succeeded to the throne after the death of Tiberius. It is said he was a rather moderate leader for the first six months of his reign however this took a 180*. Sources tell us after this he was a cruel and sadistic leader, known for his extravagance. This eventually led to his assassination from his own guard and courtiers. -
Period: 37 to 68
Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus
Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, born Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, was the final Emperor of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty. He is infamous for his tyranny and self-indulgent personality. He offended the aristocracy and the senate with his behaviour. He is also believed to have set the Great Fire of Rome, where he ultimately blamed Christians. He was eventually declared a public enemy and sentenced to death. He committed suicide as men approached to capture him. -
61
Battle of Watling Street
The Battle of Watling Street marked the end of Boudica's uprising and her defeat. Boudica's uprising was against the Roman rule in England and is symbolic of many other groups fight against Rome. The uprising was the largest and most successful rebellion in Roman history. -
Period: 76 to 138
Publius Aelius Hadrianus
Publius Aelius Hadrianus was the fourteenth Emperor of Rome. His father was cousin to previous Emperor Trajan, who nominated Hadrian as his heir. Hadrian upset the ruling classes as he did not wish to continue Rome's expansion, but ensure the stability of its borders and unite people of the Empire. His name is most synonymous with Hadrian's Wall in northern England. Later in his life he suffered from chronic illness, which ended in his death. -
Period: 121 to 180
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus was the last of the 'Five Good Emperors' and the last Emperor of the Pax Romana. His reign was marked by great conflict in the East, where he was successful in repelling multiple invasions and rebellions. However there was a growing threat in the North-West from Germanic peoples, where they began to represent a troubling reality. His reign was also marred by plague and he was also controversial for naming his son successor and not adopting one. -
Period: 188 to 217
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, born Lucius Septimius Bassianus, known as Caracalla, was sixteenth Emperor of Rome. He is known as a tyrant and cruel leader, who didn't offer much care for the administration of the Empire which he left to his Mother. His reign was marred by internal instability and Germanic invasions. He is known for passing the Edict of Caracalla, granting citizenship to all free men of the Empire. He was eventually assassinated by a disenfranchised soldier. -
Period: 272 to 337
Flavius Valerius Constantinus
Flavius Valerius Constantinus, known as Constantine the Great was the first Christian Emperor. During his reign he focused on the interior of Rome and reforming the military and civil authorities. Constantine became a Christian before the deciding battle in a civil war for his sole rule. He moved the capitol to Constantinople, named after him, which stood for centuries and would be capitol of the Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire). He is venerated as a Saint in the Orthodox church. -
312
The Battle of the Milvian Bridge
The Battle of the Milvian Bridge was a turning point of Christianity in the Empire. The battle was fought between Constantine and Maxentius who were vying for sole rule. Constantine is said to have had a vision in his sleep from Christian God, who told him that if he coloured his men in Christian symbols his victory would be guaranteed. Constantine did and he was victorious. Constantine would later become a Christian and legalise it in the Empire. -
410
Sack of Rome
The Sack of Rome was a battle where the city of Rome was overtaken by the Visigoths. The Empire at this point had split into East and West, with the Western Roman Empire increasingly losing its power. The sacking was a major shock to the Empire and both its friends and foes. Though the Empire wouldn't fall till 476AD, this was a major symbol of its diminishing power and ability to defend itself. -
476
Fall of Rome
On the 4th of September 476AD, Rome officially fell when the Barbarian Odoacer revolted and deposed Emperor Romulus Augustus. Though the Western Roman Empire, or the Byzantine Empire lived on, this is seen as the fall of the Roman Empire as no Roman Emperor rule from Italy henceforth.