Roman Empire

Augustus Caesar Born

63 BCE

Augustus was born in 63 BC as Octavian and would later be adopted by his great uncle Julius Caesar.

August Caesar is adopted by Julius Caesar

44 BCE

Power was willed to him from his great-uncle Julius Caesar, who adopted him in 44 BC.

Tiberius is born

42 BCE

He was born in 42 BC to his mother Livia and Tiberius Claudius Nero (who would later divorce).

Tiberius is adopted by Augustus

39 BCE

Augustus adopted Tiberius when marrying Livia in 39 BC.

The Battle of Actium

31 BCE

Octavian wins against Marcus Antonius and Cleopatra VII in a naval battle.

Augustus' Reign

Period: 27 BCE to 14

He started his rule in 27 BC, marking the start of the empire. His reign was known as the Pax Romana, due to the lack of war and prosperous economy.

Julio-Claudian Dynasty

Period: 27 BCE to 68

Starting with Augustus and ending with Nero, the Julio-Claudian Dynasty lasted 95 years.

Vergil Writes the Aeneid

19 BCE

The Aeneid is written by Vergil under Maecenas's Circle. It was commissioned by Augustus to further prove his right to rule and to sway the public in his liking.

Augustus Given Supreme Power

19 BCE

In 19 AD he was given the Imperium Maius by the Senate, granting his supreme power as ruler.

Jesus' Birth

1 CE

Historians and theologians argue over the exact year of His birth due to miscalculations in the Middle Ages.

Vespasian Born

9

Vespasian was born in Falacrina near Rome, son of Sabinus and Vespasia Polla.

Claudius' Birth

10

Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus was born in 10 AD from Antonia. His mother Antonia thought he was fool due to his limp and his stammering.

Caligula's Birth

12

Gaius Julius Caesar "Caligula" was born in 12 AD to Germanicus and Agrippina. His name "Caligula" comes from the term "little boots" that refers to his battle gear he would wear as a child alongside his father.

Augustus Caesar dies

14

Augustus died in 14 BC in Nola with his wife Livia and son Tiberius present. All business in Rome stopped, in respect for the emperor. He was cremated and then placed in his mausoleum.

Aulus Vitellius Born

14

Tiberius' Reign

Period: 14 to 37

Tiberius reigned from 14-37 AD not by choice. Due to Augustus' grandchildren of Julia dying, his legacy was left to Tiberius to carry on.

Tiberius Accused with Murder

18

Tiberius is accused with murder by Agrippina the Elder for order Gnaeus Piso to kill her son Germanicus. Piso committed suicide before testifying to the senate. Her other children Nero and Drusus die besides Caligula.

Galba is Born

24

Tiberius Moves to the Island of Capri

26

Tiberius moves his living form Rome to Capri. He rested all of his daily duties with the Praetorian Guard to Livus

Caligula moves to Capri to live with Tiberius

31

He grew up to live on the Island of Capri with Tiberius when his family died.

Otho is Born

32

Marcus Salvius Otho was born in Ferentinum in Etrusia to Lucius Otho and Albia Terentia.

Jesus' Death and Crucifixion

33

Nerva Born

35

Nerva was born in Narnia in Umbria to a family of lawyers.

Caligula kills co-emperor Gemellus

37

Tiberius left Caligula and Gemellus as co-emperors, but that wasn't enough. Caligula kills Gemellus so he can be the sole emperor.

Caligula Makes Improvements

37

Caligula stopped treason trials, recalled those exiled, and reimbursed the Praetorian Guard's pay. He also completed past building projects and created a new amphitheater in Pompeii.

Caligula's Reign

Period: 37 to 41

Caligula's short rule for four years emphasizes his unpopularity with the Guard, the public, and the Senate.

Titus Falvius Vespasianus Born

39

Galba in Germany

Period: 40 to 42

Galba commands a legion in upper Germany in hopes to further expand the Empire.

Caligula's Death

41

Caligula was murdered by his own Praetorian Guards.

Claudius Drains Lake Fucine

41

Claudius drains the Fucine Lake by ordering the creation of a 3.73 mile-long tunnel.

Claudius' Reign

Period: 41 to 54

Claudius ruled as emperor from 41-54 AD. He was bullied for his drooling and his stammering, seen as weak and a fool by most.

Claudius Attacks Britain

43

Claudius starts another conquest wanting to take all of Britain.

Claudius Ends Both Marriage and Life

48

Claudius orders his wife Messalina and her lover and soon to be consul, Gaius, to be executed. He was worried that they would scheme to murder him and place Gaius instead on the throne.

Domitian Born

51

Domitian was born in 51 AD to Vespasian and Flavia Domitillia Major.

Trajan Born

53

Trajan was born as Marcus Ulpius Traianus in Seville, which was in Hispania (Roman province at the time).

Claudius Dies

54

Claudius dies in 54 AD by ingestion of poison. (Historians argue over if Agrippina (his last wife), eager for her son Nero to assume the throne gave Claudius the deadly mushrooms)

Nero's Reign

Period: 54 to 68

Nero reigned as emperor from 54-68 AD, being the last of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty.

The Great Fire of Rome

64

Rome allegedly burns from a fire started from Nero. His excuse was that the uprising numbers of Christians were to blame. This fire lasted six days and destroyed many homes and establishments. those suffering loss were welcome to stay in public buildings until houses were made.

The Baths of Nero

65

The Baths of Nero are built in Rome

Galba Marches On Rome

68

Galba raised more legions and marched on Rome, with his soldiers declaring him emperor. Galba is chosen over Nero, him being declared an enemy by the Senate.

Nero's Death

68

Nero attempted suicide but needed help after failing to take his own life. His freedman slave Phalon was requested to help him kill himself.

Galba's Reign

Period: 68 to 69

Galba quickly filled the position of emperor with some help form his army in securing the spot. He was the first of the titles "Year of the Four Emperors."

Four Emperors

Period: 68 to 69

The four emperors of this year were Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian.

Galba's Death

69

Otho, who supported Galba progressing to the throne, wasn't declared his successor. Instead Galba declared his adoptive son Piso as heir. Otho bribed the Praetorian Guard to kill both Galba and Piso. Their heads were brought to Otho and shown in the Roman Forum. This marks the beginning of the Year of Four Emperors.

Otho's First Accomplishments

69

He reinstated the gladiatorial games and completed Nero’s Golden Palace.

First Battle of Bedriacum

69

Otho and Vitellius battle for empirical status. Instead of wasting his soldiers' lives, Otho commits commits suicide to avoid a civil war breaking out. Vitellius wins and is proclaimed emperor.

Death of Vitellius

69

Vitellius was dragged through the streets and tossed into the Tiber River dead.

Vespasian Restores Morale

69

Vespasian restored the morale of the army and discharged soldiers that were guilty of indulgences of excesses.

Otho's Reign

Period: 69 to 69

Otho's time as emperor was short, lasting about three and a half months from January to April, ending with his suicide to prevent civil war.

Vitellius' Reign

Period: 69 to 69

Vitellius ruled from July to December of 69 AD.

Vespasian's Reign

Period: 69 to 79

Vespasian was the last of the emperors to rules in 69. Unlike them, his reign would last longer than a few months and he would die of natural causes.His sons after him started the small Flavian Dynasty.

The Flavian Dynasty

Period: 69 to 96

Started by Vespasian and ended by Domitian

Vespasian Builds Colloseum

70

The Coliseum was built during his reign and intended to be used for gladiatorial games, executions, and other crowd pleasing entertainment.

Vespasian's Death

79

Vespasian caught a fever and didn't see medical attention. Instead he went to his summer home in Reiti. After swimming, he caught another cold and died of natural causes. His son Titus assumed as heir.

Mount Vesuvius Erupts

79

Mount Vesuvius erupts and rains its volcanic ash and pumice on Pompeii, killing thousands in seconds. Herculaneum was mostly protected by the wind, but gas and ash invaded the city with mud and rock following, covering the city.

Titus' Reign

Period: 79 to 81

During his reign he changed his personality, instantly gaining affection from the public and the Senate.

Colosseum Opens Officially

80

Titus officially opens the Colosseum. The opening features gladiatorial matches for 100 days.

Arch of Titus Built

81

The Arch of Titus is built in order to commemorate Rome's conquest of Jerusalem

Titus' Death

81

Titus goes to a villa his family owns in the Sabine hills. There he contracts a fever, but some believe his brother Domitian poisoned him. Domitian actually recommended Titus to take an ice bath, but rushed to Rome waiting to claim empirical status. Titus then died.

Domitian's Reign

Period: 81 to 96

He used to be known for peace but during his reign he grew anxious and fearful. He was the last of the Flavian Dynasty.

Chatti are Conquered by Domitian

83

Domitian did not have military experience and to claim prestige he set out to conquer the Chatti in Germany. He was successful and earned the title Germanicus.

Domitian Seeks Revenge

88

Domitian sends an army to defeat the Dacians, who invaded Moesia in 85 AD and defeated the Romans in 86 AD. The Romans under Tettius Julianus win.

Domitian's Statue in the Forum

91

Domitian adds a statue of himself riding a horse in the Roman Forum.

Domitian's Death

96

Stemphanus, one of his staff, pulled a concealed dagger on Domitian and stabbed him in the groin while he was in his bed. After this other conspirators entered the room and all had their share of stabbing and piercing the emperor.

Senate Titles Nerva

96

The Senate give him the title "pater patriae" meaning father of the country.

Nerva's Reign

Period: 96 to 98

Nerva brought stability and ushered in a smaller, new golden era of Rome. He is the first of the five good emperors.

Nerva Takes Away Memory of Domitian

Period: 96 to 97

Nerva removes and destroys statues of Domitian; kills those that informed him.

The Five Good Emperors

Period: 96 to 180

Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antonius Pius, and Marcus Aurelius are the five consecutive good emperors of Rome that are followed by weak rulers.

Nerva Adopts Trajan

97

Nerva Dies

98

Nerva dies and Trajan orders him to be rested in the Mausoleum of Augustus. Fun fact: an eclipse appeared on the day of his funeral.

Trajan's Reign

Period: 98 to 117

Trajan ruled after his adoptive father Nerva passed.His reign was calm and progressive. He was respected and an honest ruler.He is the second of the five good emperors.

Trajan Conquers Dacia

Period: 101 to 105

Trajan conquers the Dacians two times during the period, once as a peace agreement and the last as annexation. The area is modern day Romania because most of the Dacians were replaced with Roman colonists.

Trajan's Column Built

113

Trajan's Column is built in Rome detailing his campaigns in Dacia.

Trajan Conquers Armenia

114

Trajan annexes Armenia to the Roman Empire.

Trajan's Death

117

Trajan died on his way back to Rome from Syria, falling ill when he reached Selinus in Cilicia. His body was cremated and placed in a urn that would be buried under the base of his column.

Hadrian Grants Armenia Independence

117

The previously conquered Armenia was given back its independence from Roman rule.

Hadrian's Reign

Period: 117 to 138

He is the third of the five good emperors of Rome and ruled justly. During his time as ruler he established many cities and building innovations.

Marcus Aurelius Born

121

He was born in Spain as Marcus Annius Verus. His family came from senators and good political connections.

Hadrian's Wall Constructed

122

Hadrian's wall was built in Northern Britain as a border of the Roman Empire, but also to show Rome's dominance. It stretched from coast to coast of the island.

Hadrian's Death

138

Hadrian died from what historians think was a heart attack since his health began to fail at 62 years of age. He named his heir Antoninus Pius, under the thought that Antoninus would adopt Marcus Aurelius. Hadrian was cremated and placed in the Great Tomb of Hadrian (built by Antoninus) with his wife and son.

Marcus Aurelius' Reign

Period: 161 to 180

Being introduced to philosophy at a young age, Marcus Aurelius held a philosophical and just view throughout his reign and life. He is the last of the five good emperors.

Campaign for Germany and Writing Meditations

Period: 170 to 180

Marcus Aurelius composes his series of writings, Meditations, while on a campaign fighting against the Germanic tribes.

Marcus Aurelius' Death

180

Marcus Aurelius dies after defeating the Germanic tribes. He retired and died in Vindobona.