Ancient Rome (1200 BCE - 121BCE)

Bronze Age Collapse/ Proto-Villanovan Culture in Italian Peninsula

1200 BCE

The Bronze Age ended around 1200 B.C.E. in Mediterranean Europe. Many ancient cities were deserted or cast off, trade routes were perished and literacy diminished throughout the Mediterranean region. Proto-Villanovan culture comes into being In Italian peninsula. Cremation becomes widespread in this area.

Founding of Rome

753 BCE

Rome is founded by two brothers, Romulus and Remus, on April 21st 753 BCE. City is named after Romulus. Romulus murders Remus. Legend says both bothers were raised by a wolf.

Etruscan influence in Rome

600 BCE

The Etruscans in the north part of the Italian peninsula provided a model for trade and urban luxury. Romans learned the skills of trade from Etruscan. The Etruscan civilization played in the development of Roman culture and society.

Rome begins to Grow

510 BCE

From 510 BCE, event tho the government struggled with many internal political issues, Rome grew to become the strongest power over the entire Italian peninsula. Because of many successful battles, Rome emerged as a dominant city becoming a superpower in the west.

First Succession of the Plebs

494 BCE

Tensions between the two classes (the plebs and the patricians) continued to grow. In 494 BCE the plebians went on strike and gathered outside Rome. They refused to move until they were granted representation. This became known as the First Succession of the Plebs. The plebs were granted an assembly of their own - the Concilium Plebis or Council of the Plebs.

Twelve Tables were created (basis of Roman Law)

450 BCE

Roman law came from the Twelve Tables, this formed an essential part of the constitution during the Republican era. The Twelve Tables were adopted around 450 B.C. The Twelve Tables detailed laws "regarding property, religion and divorce and listed punishments for everything from theft to black magic."

First Roman Aqueduct Built

312 BCE

They were first developed around 312 B.C. Aqueducts used gravity to transport water along stone, lead and concrete pipelines and into city centers.

Lex Hortensia

287 BCE

The Lex Hortensia declared that "all laws passed by the Concilium Plebis were binding to both plebians and patricians." This put everyone in an equal category. Everyone had to follow the same laws.

First Punic War

264 BCE

Rome and Carthage declared war on each other for the control of Sicily. Rome has victory over this war and develops a Navy.

Second Punic War

218 BCE

Carthage senate refuses to comply to Roman demands. War last until 202 BCE. Battle of Zama in 202 BCE, Elephants were used in battle against Romans. Carthage losses battle again.

Tiberius Gracchus is born

168 BCE

Born in 168 BCE. He attempted to legislate an agrarian reform which resulted in his death at the hands of the Senators. Tiberius proposed that no citizen should be able to possess more than 500 "iugera" of public land and that any extra land would be confiscated to the state and redistributed to the poor. Tiberius was beaten to death with wooden chairs.

Third Punic War

149 BCE

Carthage is destroyed. Rome held almost absolute dominance over the region but Rome encounters new issues. As the Republic of Rome grew in power, Rome began to suffer from corruption and the over-reliance on foreign slave labor.

Gaius Gracchus Becomes Questor

126 BCE

Tiberius's brother follows his footsteps and becomes quester in 126 BCE. Gaius renews Tiberius’ land law and founded new colonies in Roman Republic. He passed a law that stated that no one under age 17 would be allowed in military as well as forcing the state to pay for basic military equipment. He also funded state-subsidized grain and imposed the death penalty on any judge who accepted a bribe to convict another Roman guilty.

Welfare Program introduced (Lex Frumentaria)

122 BCE

This type of government program provided subsidized food, education and other expenses for those in need. These programs date back to 122 B.C. Gaius Gracchus instituted lex frumentaria, "a law that ordered Rome’s government to supply its citizens with allotments of cheaply priced grain."

Gaius Gracchus commits suicide

121 BCE

The ‘ultimate decree of the Senate’ was passed in 121 BCE. This law gave the Senate the power to "declare anyone an enemy of the state and execute him without trial by a jury." Once Gaius was accused of being enemy of the state, Gaius knew that his own death was imminent, he committed suicide on the Aventine Hill in 121 BCE.