Roman Empire (Isabel and Darby)

Augustus becomes emperor after winning the Battle of Actium

31 BCE

Augustus defeated Antony and Cleopatra in this naval battle, and shortly after became the first Roman Emperor

Emperor Augustus (Julio-Claudian Dynasty)

Period: 27 BCE to 14

This emperor's rule started the Julio-Claudian Dynasty. He is known for his popularity and start of the Pax Romana, which is 200 years of Roman peace.

Publication of the Aeneid

19 BCE

This epic written by Virgil was published against his will while he died from a sickness. the story was unfinished, but Augustus wanted it to be published

Birth of Jesus

6

Jesus is born in Bethlehem where Herold the Great was in power

Emperor Augustus' Death

14

Augustus fell ill on the way to Capri, and died on the way back to the mainland.

Emperor Tiberius (Julio-Claudian Dynasty)

Period: 14 to 37

First Emperor of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty, which is the group of Emperor Augustus' successors

Emperor Tiberius' Son died

23

Drusus died, and this led tiberius to begin to handover his duties to his Praetorian Guard, Sejanus. Although they weren't extremely closed, this death impacted Tiberius' ruling style drastically. After Drusus' death, Tiberius was only emperor by name.

Crucifixion of Jesus

31

Jesus was crucified by the Roman authorities on account of blasphemy

Tiberius' Death

37

Tiberius participated in a ceremonial game by throwing a javelin. He hurt his shoulder, and became ill to his bed. While in coma the doctor ensured he would die, however, he woke up, but this was after they assigned a new emperor. He was then suffocated with blankets, so that the new emperor would now rule.

Emperor Caligula (Julio-Claudian Dynasty)

Period: 37 to 41

Second of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty. Often he is described as insane because he had many wild passions

Caligula's Feud With the Senate

39

Caligula got in an intense feud with the senate, which ruined their relationship. Caligula determined that a large amount of the senate wasn't trustworthy after reviewing previous trials. Ultimately, he put many senators to death, and ordered a fresh review on many trials.

Caligula's Death

41

Emperor Caligula was extremely hated by the Romans, and after a sporting event was stabbed 30 times by a group of guardsmen. His body was disposed of in a shallow grave, his wife and daughter were also then murdered.

Emperor Claudius (Julio-Claudian Dynasty)

Period: 41 to 54

After the assassination of his nephew Caligula, Claudius took power and implemented many of the things Augustus would have wanted

Claudius' Military Campaign

43

Claudius went on a military campaign to take over Britain, which was successful. He is well known for his expansion of the Roman Empire.

Claudius' Death

54

Claudius was poisoned to death, most likely by his last wife Agrippina.

Emperor Nero (Julio-Claudian Dynasty)

Period: 54 to 68

This emperor was very lavish and had many vices. He is known for starting the Great Fire of Rome

Nero Ordered the Murder of his Mother

59

Nero ordered for his mother to be murdered because of her so called interfering in his political and social affairs. From this point on Nero was known as a tyrant

The Great Fire of Rome

64

Emperor Nero starts the fire so he can gain support for persecuting Christians. He blamed this fire on them to further extend his political agenda

Year of the Four Emperors

68

This year following Nero's suicide was chaotic. four different mean with high social standings declared themselves emperor at the same time time. These men included Galba of Spain, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian

Nero's Death

69

Nero committed suicide after numerous rumors were spread that he started the Great Fire, which destroyed 75% of Rome. Nero blamed the Christians and began persecutions until he committed suicide.

Emperor Vespasian (Flavian Dynasty)

Period: 69 to 79

As one of the four emperors after the death of Nero, he started the Flavian Dynasty and began a time of economic stability during his rule

Vespasian Ended the Jewish War

70

Vespasian ended the Jewish War by taking back Jerusalem.

Eruption of Mt Vesuvius

79

This eruption covered four ancient Roman cities of Pompeii, Herclaneum, Opiontis, and Stabiae

Vespasian's Death

79

Vespasian died of natural causes peacefully.

Emperor Titus (Flavian Dynasty)

Period: 79 to 81

Son of Vespasian was very popular because his reforms lasted a long time and he was a humble emperor

Completion of the Flavian Amphitheater

80

During Titus' reign this monument was finished. This commemorated the successes of the Flavian's during the Jewish Wars. The inaugural games lasted 100 days.

Titus' Death

81

Titus became ill after the inaugural games in Sabine Territory. He later died of a fever

Emperor Domitian (Flavian Dynasty)

Period: 81 to 96

Domitian used high taxes to pay for expensive buildings, games, and projects. His assassination ended the Flavian Dynasty

Domitian's Military Campaign

83

Domitian was not an emperor extremely involved in his army, so in order to earn some success he went on a military fight to Germany to take on the Chatti. He gave himself the title of Germanicus for his success.

Domitian's Death

96

Conspirators assassinated Domitian while he was in his room reading.

Emperor Nerva (Five Good Emperors)

Period: 96 to 98

Came into power after the assassination of Domitian. His rule started the period of the Five Good Emperors

Nerva's Mutiny of the Praetorian Guard

97

A mutiny of the praetorian guard occurred, and Nerva was imprisoned, but later released.

Nerva's Death

98

While in a deep rage Nerva became extremely sweaty, and fell ill. He died soon afterwards of a fever.

Emperor Trajan (Five Good Emperors)

Period: 98 to 117

This emperor was notable for his plan to expand the Roman Empire more to the East

Trajan Adds Augustus to His Name

114

Augustus was the synonym for best, and Trajan added this to go before his name. This made him appear as the physical representation of the god's on earth.

Trajan's Death

117

Trajan died of ill health at Selinus, and his ashes were later brought to Rome.

Emperor Hadrian (Five Good Emperors)

Period: 117 to 138

Cousin of Trajan, this emperor was fond the Greek civilization and culture and he wanted to unite the Roman Empire

The Revolt of Judea

134

The revolt of Judea forced Hadrian to go abroad one last time to Palestine. He went here as a commander.

Hadrian's Death

138

Hadrian endured an extremely long and painful death, which he documented in a letter he wrote.

Emperor Antonius Pius (Five Good Emperors)

Period: 138 to 161

This emperor was known for his mild demeanor and the period of peace and prosperity that he ignited during his rule

Completion of the Antonine Wall

142

Under Antonius Pius' rule, the Antonine Wall was finished, rather than Hadrian's abandoned wall.

Antonius Pius' Death

161

Antonius Pius died after eating Alpine Cheese of a fever.

Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Five Good Emperors)

Period: 161 to 180

This emperor is known for his impact on Stoic philosophy and is often seen as the symbol of The Golden Age of the Roman Empire

Aurelius' Power is Challenged

175

Avidius Cassius challenged Aurelius' role as emperor. Rumors were spread that he was ill, while he was fighting the Germans, and Avidius took control. Aurelius returned and took power back.

Marcus Aurelius' Death

180

He died in Vienna, and his ashes were then returned to Rome.