Roman Civilization

People Settle in Italy

800 BCE

Ancestors of the Romans, the Latins, settled in small villages along the Tiber river where they farmed and herded animals. The Romans learned a lot from the Etruscan civilization.

The Romans Establish a Republic

509 BCE

The Romans overtook the Etruscan ruler. The Romans then formed their government to belong to the people. The Romans thought that would keep anyone from gaining too much power. If there was war a dictator would be chosen.

Rome Grows Through Conquest

Period: 264 BCE to 146 BCE

Rome fought 3 wars against the Carthage. Rome defeated them and gained Sicily, Corsica, and Sardinia. Carthage looked for revenge, and for 15 years sprung attacks on Rome. But they failed to capture Rome. Finally Rome destroyed the rest of the Carthage.

An Attempt to Reform

133 BCE

Gaius Gracchus and Tiberius were brothers that wanted to reform. They wanted the state to distribute land to poor farmers. They also wanted the government to pay for food for the poor. The senate saw the brothers and their followers as a threat and were killed.

Julius Caesar the Dictator

58 BCE

Caesar was an ambitious military commander. After he conquered land for Rome he forced the senate to make him the dictator. He launched public works to help the poor and introduced a new calendar.

Jesus Teaches

4 BCE

Jesus was firmly rooted in the Jewish faith and preached to everyone about the spiritual salvation. Jesus had many followers but the Romans did not like him and was condemned to death. Jesus' message spreads throughout the world after he died.

Roman Empire

14

The Republic had dissapeared and Augustus arose to take power. He was careful to not call himself a king, but he really was. He laid a firm and stable government, and called for a census to be taken. The government worked well for 200 years.

The Roman Empire Declines

180

Emperors were overthrown often and political violence was common. Those who did rise to power were only there for a few months before being overthrown. Many poor farmers left to find protection from wealthy land owners. Although they were free, they were not allowed to leave the land.

Invaders Threaten the Empire

200

Wars in east Asia set off a chain reaction that would eventually lead to the collapse of Rome. Rome had to surrender several times to the Britain, Spain, and France. It was only a matter of time before they took over Rome. Rome didn't disappear from the map until 476.

The Rise of Christianity

380

Rome tollerated diversity as long as citizens payed taxes and and showed honor to Rome. Most people were polytheistic so they had no trouble abiding by the Romans' beliefs.