Roman Republic-Roman Empire

Founding of Rome Republic

509 BCE

Rome overthrows its last king, Tarquin the Proud, and establishes the Republic, governed by elected officials and the Senate.

Plebeian Secession

494 BCE

The plebeians, frustrated by inequality, withdraw from Rome, leading to the creation of the Tribune of the Plebs to represent their interests.

Twelve tables

450 BCE

Rome codifies its first set of written laws, the Twelve Tables, ensuring legal rights for citizens and addressing class disparities.

Sack of Rome by the Gauls

390 BCE

The Gauls under Brennus sack Rome, marking a pivotal moment that leads to military and defensive reforms.

First Punic war

246 BCE

Rome defeats Carthage in the fight for control over Sicily, expanding its influence beyond the Italian peninsula.

Second Punic war

218 BCE

Hannibal leads Carthaginian forces through Italy, but Rome, under Scipio Africanus, ultimately defeats Carthage at the Battle of Zama.

Third Punic war and end of Carthage and Corinth

146 BCE

Rome destroys Carthage at the end of the Third Punic War and conquers Corinth, solidifying its control of the Mediterranean.

Tiberius Gracchus’ Reforms and Death

133 BCE

Tiberius Gracchus pushes for land reforms to aid the poor but is assassinated, highlighting the growing tensions in Roman politics.

Marius military Reforms

107 BCE

Gaius Marius reforms the Roman military, creating a professional army and shifting soldiers’ loyalty from the state to their generals.

Formation of the First Triumvirate

60 BCE

Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus form a political alliance to dominate Roman politics, bypassing Senate authority and consolidating their power.

Julius Caesar crosses the Rubricon

49 BCE

Julius Caesar crosses the Rubicon River, defying the Senate and sparking a civil war that ultimately leads to his dictatorship.

Assassination of Julius Caesar

44 BCE

Julius Caesar is assassinated on the Ides of March by senators aiming to restore the Republic, but it leads to further civil wars.

Battle Actium

31 BCE

Octavian after the formation of the second Triumvrate, defeats Mark Antony and Cleopatra in a decisive naval battle, ending the Roman Republic.

Beginning of Roman Empire

27 BCE

Octavian becomes Augustus, the first Roman Emperor, ushering in the Pax Romana and the Roman Empire.

Death of Augustus

14

Augustus dies after a 45-year reign, leaving a stable and prosperous empire to his successor, Tiberius.

Great fire of Rome

64

A catastrophic fire destroys much of Rome during Emperor Nero’s reign, with rumors claiming Nero was responsible.

Siege of Jerusalem

70

Roman forces under Titus crush the Jewish Revolt, capturing Jerusalem and destroying the Second Temple.

Eruption of Mount Vesuvius

79

The volcanic eruption buries Pompeii and Herculaneum under ash, preserving a snapshot of Roman life.

Height of Roman Empire

117

Under Emperor Trajan, Rome reaches its greatest territorial extent, stretching across three continents.

Edict of Milan

313

Emperor Constantine issues the Edict of Milan, legalizing Christianity and transforming it into a dominant religion in Rome.

Fall of Western Roman Empire

476

The Western Roman Empire falls when Romulus Augustulus is deposed by the Germanic leader Odoacer, marking the end of Roman rule in the West.