Roman Empire

Period of Kings

626 BCE

The first period of Rome is a time where they were ruled by kings. During this time period only six kings ruled Rome. advancements both militaristically and economically with increases in physical boundaries, military might, and production and trade of goods including oil lamps. The period of Kings lasted until 510 B.C when Rome became a Republic.

Founding of Rome

625 BCE

Rome was founded around 625 BC in the areas of ancient Italy known as Etruria and Latium. It is thought that the city-state of Rome was initially formed by Latium villagers joining together with settlers from the surrounding hills in response to an Etruscan invasion. Rome basically started as a small village.

Roman Republic

510 BCE

The Roman Republic was the time when the city-state of Rome existed as a republican government (509 B.C. to 27 B.C.), one of the earliest examples of representative democracy in the world. The Roman Republic was a larger area around where the city is today. Still inside of the Italian peninsula.

First Punic War

264 BCE

The First Punic War broke out on the Mediterranean island of Sicily in 264 BC. Rome was trying to expand towards the west and came across the Carthaginians. At the beginning of the war Cartage was the dominant power. The fighting took place primarily on Sicily and its surrounding waters, as well as in North Africa, Corsica, and Sardinia. Rome eventually Annexed Sicily.

Second Punic War

218 BCE

The Second Punic War began in 218 BC. During the second war there was an invasion of Italy. There was also a lot of battles that were fought in Iberia or modern day Spain and Portugal. Carthage was still a threat to Rome. By the end of the second war, Carthage signed a treaty which ultimately made them no longer a threat to Rome.

Third Punic War

149 BCE

The third Punic War started in 149 BC. The Carthage was attacked and they needed to defend themselves, so Rome used this as justification to wage war on them again. In the end Rome completely took over the Carthaginian territory.

Julius Caesar as Emperor

46 BCE

Julius Caesar came into power when Crassus died in battle and beat Pompey in a civil war. Julius named himself as Emperor. Julius also weakened the senate. This was the beginning of the Rome's shift from a republic into an empire.

Julius Caesars Assassination

45 BCE

The Senate was fearful of Caesar's power. Two senators named Brutus and Cassius lead the Senate to assassinate Julius. This was important in Rome's history because after his assassination a series of civil wars broke out and the constitutional government of the Republic was never fully restored.

Augustus Caesar

31 BCE

Octavian became the first emperor of Rome after Julius Caesar died. He also weakened the senate. Octavian created Rome's largest army ever, expanding Rome to its largest extant. Rome extended to three continents including western Asia, northern Africa, and most of Europe.

Province of Egypt

30 BCE

Connecting back to Unit 1 of world history, Egypt became a province of Rome. Rome’s rule over Egypt officially began with the arrival of Octavian. Since Egyptians let anyone who said they were divine lead their country, Octavian told them he was the successor to the pharaohs. Everything in Egypt was done under the Roman government.

Pax Romana

26 BCE

Pax Romana means peace in Rome. Pax Romana was time period when Rome had peace, order, prosperity, and power. This was a time when Rome made many important architectural advancements like arches, roads, and aqueducts.

Four Emperors Civil War

68

The year of the four emperors war very important in Roman history. It was when the first Roman civil war took place. The four emperors who ruled at the time were Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian. This was important because it started the transition from the Julio-Claudians, the first imperial dynasty, to the Flavian dynasty. The Flavian dynasty made the colosseum.

Roman Colosseum Construction

72

The Colosseum, also named the Flavian Amphitheater, is a large amphitheater in Rome. It was built during the reign of the Flavian emperors as a gift to the Roman people. Gladiator games, battle reenactments, animal hunts, and amusement in general is how the colosseum was used.

Eruption of Mount Vesuvius

79

The eruption of mount vesuvius destroyed several Roman cities. The most popular city that the eruption destroyed was Pompeii. The city of Pompeii was Covered in lava and ash completely preserving everyone and everything how it was the day of the eruption. This is important because we can see what the city looked like during the time of the Roman empire.

Eruption of Mount Vesuvius

79

The eruption of Mount Vesuvius is a very important volcanic eruption in Roman history let alone history in general. The eruption destroyed several Roman cities. The most popular city that was destroyed was Pompeii. The city was covered in lava and ash and has been preserved to this day.

Roman Road Completion

200

The Roman Road system was made primarily for their military. The road system is well known for the architecture. straightness, solid foundations, cambered surfaces, and use of concrete is very important.

Completion of the Roman Road System

200

The Roman road system was primarily used for military transportation. The Roman roads are mainly known for their architecture. The straightness, solid foundations, cambered surfaces, and use of concrete was important for the advances in road construction.

Emperor Constantine converts to Christianity

312

Some people will argue that Constantine's conversion was politically motivated. Constantine himself said that he had already worshiped God and that he had gotten a vision that helped him win a battle. No matter how he ended up converting, it is important because it marks a shift to Rome as a whole converting to Christianity.

Last Western Roman Emperor

475

Romulus Augustus was the last emperor of the Western Roman Empire. He failed to hold political control over the western half of the empire. It is a cool coincidence that the founder of Rome was named Romulus and the first Roman Emperor was named Augustus and Romulus Augustus was the last Roman emperor of the western half.

Fall of the Western Empire

476

The Roman empire was split between the western half and the eastern half. The western half was the first to fall. Ultimately the western half failed to enforce its rule, and its vast territory was divided between several successor.

Last Eastern Roman Emperor

1446

Constantine XI Palaeologus was the last Roman Emperor of the Eastern Empire and Rome as a whole. He was also the last Byzantine emperor. He was important because he died in the battle that ultimately sealed the Ottoman Empires win against the eastern half. He is considered a legend in greek folklore because of his heroism dying in battle for his empire.

Fall of the Eastern Roman Empire

1453

The Eastern Roman Empire is also known as the Byzantine Empire. The eastern half of Rome lasted much longer than the western half did. Slowly over this time the Romans lost smaller territories and kingdoms until finally the Ottoman empire took over the Eastern half of the Roman Empire.

Work Cited

2024

https://www.mpm.edu/research-collections/anthropology/anthropology-collections-research/mediterranean-oil-lamps/roman-empire-brief-history#:~:text=Rome%20continued%20to%20expand%20through,maritime%20power%20in%20the%20Mediterranean. https://www.worldhistory.org/timeline/Roman_Empire/ https://www.britannica.com/place/Roman-Empire