Ancient Rome

Founding of Rome

753 BCE

According to tradition, on April 21, 753 B.C., Romulus and his twin brother, Remus, found Rome on the site where they were suckled by a she-wolf as orphaned infants.

Creation of Roman Republic

509 BCE

The Roman Republic was founded after the last Etruscan king that ruled Rome was overthrown. Rome's next government served as a representative democracy in the form of a republic. Initially, Rome's wealthiest families, the patricians, held power and only they could hold political or religious offices.

Twelve Tables

451 BCE

The Twelve Tables was a set of laws inscribed on 12 bronze tablets created in ancient Rome.. They were the beginning of a new approach to laws which were now passed by government and written down so that all citizens might be treated equally before them.

Rome Falls

395 BCE

The Western Roman Empire officially ended when Emperor Romulus Augustulus was deposed by the Germanic King Odoacer

Constantine reunites empire

324 BCE

Constantine defeated Licinius and took control of a reunited empire

Christianity becomes the official religion of Rome

313 BCE

The Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, which accepted Christianity: 10 years later, it had become the official religion of the Roman Empire.

Diocletian divides empire

285 BCE

The Roman Empire was divided into an eastern half and a western half by the Emperor Diocletian.

Pax Romana ends

180 BCE

Ushered in by the ascension of Augustus as the first Roman emperor, this era of political stability and security lasted until the death of Marcus Aurelius

Colosseum’s construction is finished

80 BCE

It is the largest ancient amphitheatre ever built, and is still the largest standing amphitheatre in the world today, despite its age. Construction began under the emperor Vespasian and was completed under his successor and heir, Titus.

Rome is burning

64 BCE

A fire started in the enormous Circus Maximus stadium in Rome. When the fire was finally extinguished six days later, 10 of Rome's 14 districts had burned.

Julius Caesar becomes the first dictator of Rome

44 BCE

Caesar declared himself dictator for life. His increasing power and great ambition agitated many senators who feared Caesar aspired to be king.

Julius Caesar assassinated

44 BCE

Caesar was stabbed 23 times by conspirators who believed themselves to be saviors of liberty and democracy. Instead, the daggers they thrust into Caesar dealt a fatal blow to the already wounded Roman Republic.

Rome is established as an empire

27 BCE

Augustus came to power after the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BCE. In 27 BCE Augustus “restored” the republic of Rome, though he himself retained all real power as the princeps, or “first citizen,” of Rome.

Pax Romana begins

27 BCE

Pax Romana, a state of comparative tranquillity throughout the Mediterranean world from the reign of Augustus to the reign of Marcus Aurelius.