Ancient Rome Timeline

By Thinh Nguyen
  • 753 BCE

    Legendary Founding of Rome

    Romulus and Remus are the legendary founders of Rome.
  • Period: 753 BCE to 509 BCE

    Roman Kingdom

  • 535 BCE

    Tarquinius Superbus becomes the 5th king of Rome

    Final king of Rome and he is known as Tarquin the Proud
  • 509 BCE

    Uprising against Tarquinius Superbus, which leads to the establishment of the Roman Republic

    Rebellion against Tarquinius which results in the start of the Roman Republic.
  • Period: 509 BCE to 27 BCE

    Roman Republic

  • Period: 264 BCE to 241 BCE

    First Punic War

  • 241 BCE

    Roman victory in the First Punic War

    The Romans fight the Carthaginians and come out on top.
  • Period: 218 BCE to 201 BCE

    Second Punic War

  • 216 BCE

    Battle of Cannae

    A fight that broke out at the ancient village of Cannae in Apulia.
  • 202 BCE

    Battle of Zama and Roman victory in the Second Punic War

    A fight breaks out near Zama which is in modern-day Tunisia and which also marked the end of the Second Punic War. The Romans won the Second Punic War.
  • Period: 149 BCE to 146 BCE

    Third Punic War

  • 146 BCE

    Roman victory in the Third Punic War and complete destruction of the city of Carthage

    The Romans win once again in the Third Punic War and obliterates the city of Carthage - their rival
  • 60 BCE

    Julius Caesar expands Roman army and influence in Gaul

  • 49 BCE

    Julius Caesar cross the Rubicon river and starts the Roman Civil War

  • 44 BCE

    Julius Caesar declared himself dictator for life

  • 44 BCE

    Julius Caesar is assassinated

  • 27 BCE

    Octavian, Julius Caesar’s nephew, wins the civil war between himself and Antony, and is made imperator. Changes name to Augustus

  • Period: 27 BCE to 476

    Roman Empire

  • 33

    Crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth

  • 64

    The Great Fire of Rome

  • 79

    Eruption of Mt Vesuvius and destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum

  • 80

    The Colosseum opens in Rome

  • 117

    The Roman Empire reached its greatest size under the reign of Emperor Trajan

  • 313

    Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, accepting the practice of Christianity

  • 323

    Christianity becomes official religion of Roman Empire

  • 360

    Huns start to invade Rome

  • 395

    Empire divided into West and East under the rule of Emperor Diocletian

  • 476

    Ostrogoths raid Rome and force the last Western Emperor to give up power