Ancient Rome Timeline

Founding of Rome

753 BCE

According to myth twin brothers Romulus and Remus founded the city. Romulus then murdered Remus, named the city after himself, and for 240 years Rome was ruled by kings.

Creation of Roman Republic

509 BCE

Before the Republic Etruscan kings who lived in Italy ruled Rome. Once the last of the Italian kings were overthrown the wealthiest of Rome established the Republic.

The Twelve Tables

450 BCE

The Twelve Tables was a Roman code which lasted as long as the Romans themselves existed. The twelve tables was a written law that applied across the social hierarchy.

Julius Caesar Becomes the First Dictator of Rome

49 BCE

Caesar got rid of his political opponents in a civil war that took place between 49 and 45 bc. Caesar was fighting alongside his army and against Pompey. Caesar eventually won and was named Roman dictator.

Julius Caesar Assassination

44 BCE

Julius Caesar was assassinated by 40 roman senators which resulted in many continuous civil wars and the death of the Roman Republic but the birth of the Roman Empire.

The Beginning of Pax Romana

27 BCE

The beginning of Pax Romana was the same time as Augustus Caesar began to rule over Rome (27 BCE-14CE). This time was an era of peace and stability throughout Rome and lasted over 200 years. The goal of Augustus was to guarantee, law, order, security, and to expand Rome even if it had to be separated from the rest of the world.

Rome is Established as an Empire

27 BCE

Augustus came to power by killing his father's assassins. He was adopted by Caesar so he was next in line. In 27 BCE the Roman senate granted Augustus Caesar extreme amounts of power and recognized him as the first citizen. The senate just created the first emperor.

Rome is Burning

64

On July 18 a fire destroyed nearly all of Rome. In stories it was stated that the emperor at the time started the fire but he did use it to advance politically. It was chaos 3 of the 14 districts were completely destroyed and looting was occurring during the flames.

Colosseum Building Finished

79

The idea of the colosseum began with Emperor Vespasian and the building was completed by his son Titus. The actual construction was completed by Jewish prisoners.

Pax Romana Ends

235

A war broke lose between the Romans , barbarian, goth, huns, and Vandals. This ended the peace and Romans started participating in wars and conflicts again.

Diocletian Divides the Roman Empire

285

The Roman Emperor Diocletian decided that Rome was to big of an Empire to manage so he split Rome into two parts(western and eastern Rome).

Constantine Reunites the Roman Empire

324

Emperor was once a co-emperor but became the sole-emperor of Rome after winning multiple civil wars

Christianity Becomes the Official Religion of Rome

391

In 319 AD the emperor Theodosius declared christianity the only official religion of the Roman Empire.

Rome Falls

476

There isn't one clear event that ended Rome, some people say christianity or even the rise of Islam but it isn't clear.