Roman Empire Timeline

Augustus becomes emperor (JC)

27 BCE

As Julius Caesar's adopted son, he became the first emperor of Rome, and his principate was a time of peace and prosperity. He took the name Augustus because it represents a new order and cleverly suggests his "superiority". The prosperity of the empire during his reign is due to his political, financial, and religious reforms, as well as public works projects like the construction of numerous buildings. He is credited with initiating the period of the Pax Romana.

Julio-Claudian Dynasty

Period: 27 BCE to 68

Emperors in the dynasty are indicated by the (JC) in their timeline title. It includes Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero.

The Roman Mint was reopened

20 BCE

Under Augustus' rule, the Roman Mint was reopened for the purpose of producing more gold and silver coins. This stimulated large scale commerce throughout and empire and an expansion of the Roman coinage.

Publication of the Aeneid

19 BCE

This ancient Roman epic was unwillingly written by Virgil and commissioned by emperor Augustus. Aeneas, as a representation of Augustus, was propaganda towards Augustus' rule as emperor and offered validity to his divine lineage. Virgil completed the Aeneid shortly before his death, but scholars believe that he was not satisfied with the final product.

Completion of the Theater of Marcellus

13 BCE

This theater was started by Julius Caesar, but it was Augustus who ordered its completion. The name is dedicated to Augustus' nephew, Marcus Claudius Marcellus. This was one of many architectural projects commissioned or completed during Augustus' rule.

Tiberius wins the Olympiad

4 BCE

Emperor Tiberius won the 194th Olympic games, which were politically and culturally important events of the time.

Birth of Jesus

1 CE

Jesus was born in Bethlehem a couple years earlier than scholars originally thought, but traditionally it was 1 AD. He was born during the reign of Augustus Caesar.

Tiberius becomes emperor (JC)

14

Tiberius, the second emperor of Rome, was the adopted son of Augustus Caesar. He is described as shy, sullen, and not as handsome as Augustus. When he was 54 years old, he was named emperor on September 17th, 14 AD, almost a month after the death of Augustus. During his reign he strengthened the Roman navy.

Death of Augustus

14

Augustus died from natural causes on August 19th 14 AD. Some sources claim that his last words were "I found Rome of clay; I leave it to you of marble." After his death, the Senate declared him to be a god.

Tiberius' son Drusus dies

23

Although Tiberius did not particularly love Drusus, his death greatly saddened him. From then on he put less focus into the empire, and began delegating his authority to actually run the emperor's affairs. He delegated power particularly to Sejanus.

Completion of the Villa Jovis

27

Tiberius built this beautiful palace on the island of Capri in 27 AD. It is likely that he chose this island to live in because of its distance from Rome, and the difficulty it took to reach him about political matters. He filled the palace with treasure and art objects

Crucifixion of Jesus

33

Jesus was crucified April 3rd, 33 AD during the reign of emperor Tiberius.

Caligula becomes emperor (JC)

37

His name is a nickname given to him by his father's soldiers, and it means "little boot." He is the adopted son of Tiberius. Many believe that he suffered from epilepsy, but history tells us that he was mad and elected his horse as consul (fake news).

Caligula leads army to Gaul

40

Caligula marched with an army to Gaul in early 40 AD. This was a prelude to the invasion of Britain, but instead he ordered the soldiers to seashells from the shores of Gaul because they were the "spoils of the conquered ocean."

Claudius becomes emperor (JC)

41

Claudius became emperor after the death of Caligula in 41 AD. He is Germanicus' brother, which would make him Caligula's uncle, and thus of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. He was made emperor by the Praetorian Guards unexpectedly when he was found "trembling in the palace". He is described as ruthless and cruel. His public works include the reorganization of the grain supply, improvement of the judicial system, and the construction of a new harbor in Ostia.

Death of Caligula

41

In January of 41 AD, Caligula was murdered at the Palatine Games by Cassius Chaerea, tribune of the Praetorian guard, Cornelius Sabinus, and others. The murder conspiracies against him were formed because the Roman people were worried about his unpredictably, tyrannical nature. His wife and daughters were also killed.

Invasion of Britain

43

Claudius' invasion of Britain was mostly a result of his need for popularity and glory. He crossed the Thames river and captured Camulodunum, which expanded Rome's territory.

Nero becomes emperor (JC)

54

Nero was the 5th emperor of Rome and stepson of Claudius. He became emperor at the age of 16. He is most known for his cruel persecution of Christians. In the beginning of his reign he initiated competitions in poetry, theater, and athletics.

Start of the Great Fire of Rome

64

In July of 64AD, a fire broke out among the shops lining the Circus Maximus. The fire raged for 6 days before coming under control, and then it reignited and burned for another 3. By the end, 2/3 of Rome had been destroyed. History has blamed Nero for the fire, and Nero blamed the Christians for the fire.The fire was most likely started by poorly constructed wooden buildings that could easily catch on fire.

Galba becomes emperor (4)

68

Galba was the son of the consul Gaius Sulpicius Galba, and was favored by emperors Augustus and Tiberius. He began his senatorial career before the normal age in 33 AD, and served a pro-consulship in Africa from 44-45 AD. On June 9, 68 AD, Nero committed suicide, and as a result the Senate named Galba emperor.

Year of the Four Emperors

Period: 68 to 69

This emperors have a (4) in their timeline title

Otho becomes emperor (4)

69

In 68 AD, Otho joined the rebellion against Nero led by Galba. Otho was disappointed when he wasn't adopted as heir by Galba, so he plotted to seize power. He became emperor when he murdered Galba.

Vitellius becomes emperor (4)

69

Emperor Galba appointed him imperial governor of lower Germany in 68 AD. Vitellius won the troops over with his generosity, and they declared him emperor on January 2nd. His forces defeated Otho's and became the next emperor.

Vespasian becomes emperor (4) (F)

69

Vespasian was confirmed emperor by the senate on December 21st, 69

Otho's death

69

In April of 69 AD, Vitellian's forces were gaining popularity and were much stronger. Otho's army was defeated by them in Bedriacum. As a result, Otho committed suicide.

Vitellius' Death

69

Vespasian was hailed emperor on July 1st. Vespasian's army attacked and entered Rome on December 20, and Vitellius was murdered as a result.

Murder of Galba

69

On January 15th Otho and the praetorians murdered Galba in the Roman Forum. This was a result of Galba choosing Lucius Calpurnius Piso Frugi Licinianus as his heir instead of his loyal ally Otho. According to the historian Tacitus, “It was everyone’s opinion that he was capable of ruling the empire, had he never ruled”

The Emperors of the Flavian Dynasty

Period: 69 to 96

Vespasian, Titus, Domitian (indicated with an (F) in the title)

Construction of the Colosseum Begins

70

Vespasian commissioned the building a an amphitheater on the sight of Nero's Golden Palace as a gift to the Roman people.

Vespasian Returns to Rome

70

In October of 70 Vespasian returns to Rome from Egypt. Here he had been raising funds to make up the deficits caused by Nero's extravagant rule.

Titus Conquers Jerusalem

70

In September of 70, Titus conquered Jerusalem. His father was emperor at the time, but he put Titus in charge of the campaign. This capture essentially ended the Jewish War. The Arch of Titus commemorates his victory and still stands at the entrance to the Roman Forum

Eruption of Mt. Vesuvius

79

The volcano destroyed the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, completely engulfing them in lava or volcanic ash.

Titus becomes Emperor (F)

79

Titus becomes emperor on June 23rd, 79 after the death of his father Vespasian. He took over power peacefully.

Completion of the Colosseum

80

Titus finished the Colosseum, started by his father, in 80. At the time it was known as the Flavian Ampitheater and he opened it with 100 days of animal fighting.

Domitian becomes Emperor (F)

81

Domitian became Emperor after the death of his brother on September 13th, 81.

Domitian Raises the Army's Salary

84

In 84 Domitian raised the Army's wages by nearly 1/3 of what they were previously, which caused him to be very popular with them.

Nerva becomes Emperor (5GOOD)

96

Nerva brought an end to the Flavian dynasty as Domitian left no successors.

Domitian is Assassinated

96

On September 18th,96, Domitian was assassinated in a conspiracy led by two prefects, other officials, and his own wife.

The Five Good Emperors

Period: 96 to 180

Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antonius Pius, Marcus Aurelius (indicatd by (5GOOD))

Nerva Abolishes the Fiscus Iudaicus

97

The Fiscus Iudaicus was a heavy tax placed on Jews after they were defeated in the Jewish war by Titus. This along with his other economic reforms gained Nerva favor with the people.

Nerva Adopts Trajan

97

Because Nerva knew he had no successor, he decided to adopt Trajan to take the emperorship

Trajan becomes Emperor (5GOOD)

98

The Baths of Trajan were Built

104

The Baths of Trajan were a new extravagant bath house built in Rome. This endeared the people to Trajan as we all know how much Romans love their baths.

Trajan's Column is Built

107

Trajan's Column is built in the new forum to commemorate Trajan's victories in the two Dacian campaigns.

Hadrian becomes Emperor (5GOOD)

117

Hadrian became emperor in 117 and is the third of the five good emperors.

Hadrian's Wall Construction Begins

122

Hadrian constructed his famous wall in Northern Britain, which marked the Northern border of the Roman Empire. It stretches 73 miles long and was a large display of Roman power

Hadrian Visits Jerusalem

130

In 130 Hadrian visited Jerusalem, which was still in ruins from the first Jewish war. Hadrian rebuilt the city to his own designs to honor Roman gods, which caused an uprising where 580,000 Jews were killed. He also publicly burned the the Torah.

Antonius Pius (5GOOD)

138

He was the 4th of the 5 Good emperors, and was mild-manered and capable.

Hadrian adopts Antonius

138

Antonius was adopted by Hadrian and designated his successor.

Antonius founds the Puellae Faustinianae

140

Antonius' wife, Faustina, died in 140 AD, so he founded the Puellae Faustinianae, a charitable institution for daughters of the poor.

Antonine Wall was built

142

In 142 AD a 36 mile garrisoned barrier (Antonine Wall) was built to extend the Roman frontier 100 miles north of Hadrian's Wall.

Marcus Aurelius becomes Emperor (5GOOD)

161

He is best known for his "Meditations" on Stoic philosophy, and he symbolizes the Golden Age of the Roman Empire. Before he became emperor he shared a sort of co-emperorship with Antonius and shared in the decision making processes. Therefore, his transition to emperor was rather smooth.

Marcus fights off the German tribes

167

In 167, Marcus and Verus set out on an expedition across the Danube, but left behind a large number of German tribes that invaded Italy and besieged Aquileia. Marcus and Verus fought them off with success.

Marcus + Commodus

177

Marcus proclaimed his 16 year old son, Commodus, joint emperor.

Marcus Aurelius dies

180