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264
264 BCE: The Punic Wars Begin
There were many battles between the Romans and Carthage an the struggle for the power over Roman legions and Mediterranean. Before the first Punic War, Carthage controlled colonies in Cicily, North Africa, trading posts in Morocco, Portugal and many other places. Rome had it's own confederation of Italian tribes. They both had a great amount of power, but they wanted more involving the trade waters of the Mediterranean. The war dragged on, and in the end there were 3 Punic Wars -
312
312 BCE: Aqueducts and Highways are built
The Romans built roads for easy access between the towns and cities of Rome. The empire expanded at a more rapid pace because the roads allowed for easy trade and commerce that improved Rome's economy and culture. They used materials that were engineered to last (such as concrete) and they put small dikes on either side of the roads to prevent flooding of the roads and for easy travell in the rainy season. -
312
312 BCE: Part 2
The aqueducts were long channels that were engineered to carry water into cities. Some of the aqueducts were underground. The water was used for sewers, drinking water, and baths (don't worry, they had seperate channels for seperate purposes). There was running water in wealthy households and public fountains for drinking water. This innovation was important; without it, we might not have some water systems that we do today. -
450
450 BCE: Twelve Tables of Roman Law are written
The twelve tables were the basis of the Roman Republic and outlined the protection of rights. After the last King of Rome was finished his rule, Rome created a Republic. They made laws that applied to everyone, but only free men could vote which laws would be passed. They were pieces of stone with laws carved into them. The law-makers or enforcers couldn't change the laws as they were set in stone. Each stone had a specific set of laws that related to eachother. This was the birth of Roman Law. -
450
450 BCE: Part 2
Since the people of Rome wanted more freedom and choice, they decided to make a republic. Because of that decision, they created a new lifestyle for themselves that made everyone equal and celebrated philosophy and humanism. It was important for everyone in Rome and the future of Rome's government. -
Jan 1, 753
753 BCE: Part 2
The story of the twins is only a legend. It was taught to children in Roman schools, so the story is much more heard of than the actual creation of Rome. Weak settlements were made near the Tiber river and often suffered flooding and vulnerability to threating clans. The settlements joined together after many years of progress of draining the marshland. They had conflict with other clans, so they decided to build an army, and with the army, they conquered more land and expanded power. -
Jan 1, 753
753 BCE: Part 3
Both of the events are important to Rome's history. It's obvious that the legend was more interesting than the actual foundation of Rome, but legends are just as important as events in history. Like creation stories, people rely on a reason or story to be responsible for something's existence. The story would be more interesting to learn and it could teach valuable lessons to people, and it would give them closure. -
Jan 1, 753
753 BCE: Romulus and Remus found Rome
The Legend of Romulus and Remus starts with twin brothers who had been abandoned in a basket in the Tiber River. They were discovered by a she-wolf who nursed them until a Shepard found them. They grew up wanted to found a city where they were taken in by the wolf. They had a fight over where the city should be, so Romulus killed Remus and named the city Rome in 753. -
31 BC: Mark Antony and Cleopatra commit suicide
Antony tried to take command of an army, but he failed to do so. He fled back too his lover, Cleopatra in Alexandria. She was also having political struggles. As a man named Octavian neared Alexandria, Antony celebrated one last victory as a general and then all of his soldiers left him, shortly after he attempted suicide but failed and had a wound on his stomach. Cleopatra went to a mausoleum and there, it was said that Antony died in her arms from his wounds... part 2 -
31 BC: Part 2
After Antony died, Cleopatra was a vulnerable as ever to Octavian. Once he reached her, she made negotiations with him for a week, and she commited suicide on August 9th, 30 BC. The love story of Antony and Cleopatra is as tragic as it is beautiful. It shows how two powerful people had real feelings towards eachother towards the end of their days. Their deaths are very well known all over the world and motivate people to look deeper into Roman History. -
44 BCE: Julius Caesar was assasinated
The senators of Rome believed that Caesar was too ambitious, so they plotted to kill him. They all told Caesar to come to the Senateand once he arrived, the made as to praise him, but attacked him instead. The leaders in the scandal were Cassius and Brutus, who was his son in law. Caesar was stabbed 23 times. The people of Rome were furious, and a war began. The name of Julius Caesar and the tragedy of his death is very famous in Roman history and in Shakespear's "Julius Caesar". -
60 BCE: Julius Caesar controls the Roman Government
At the age of 40, Juilus Caesar was elected to be the highest ranking position in the Roman Republic, consul. At the end of his term, he became governore of Gaul and gained the respect of many people and was considered the greatest in Rome. Caesar took control of Rome and fought with Pompey for 18 months. Later, the senate declared him dictator for life, and he made many changes to Rome. One of his big changes was changing the calendar to the 365 day Julian calendar, which we still use today!
