Roman Timeline

By campnwknj
  • 753 BCE

    Founding of Rome

    Led by Etruscan kings, the Roman army, equipped and organized like the Greek phalanx, gained control of most of Latium.
  • Period: 753 BCE to 476

    Roman Empire

  • 509 BCE

    Founding of Replubic

    Because of the previous kings contemptible actions, the noble families revolted, putting an end to the monarchy and creating the Roman Republic
  • 204 BCE

    Punic Wars

    Through defeating the Carthaginians in the 2nd Punic War, the Romans gained control of the seas and entire Mediterranean coast from Italy westward.
  • 60 BCE

    The First Triumvirate

    Julius Caesar reconciled with Crassus and Pompey and gained the support of both for his own ambitions. So was born the first Triumvirate, an informal agreement among three Roman politicians, each seeking his private goals, which further undermined the Republic.
  • 44 BCE

    Death of Julius Caesar

    During the reign of Caesar, he gained a number of titles that granted him control of Rome. He was appointed dictator for ten years, held consulship, was chief priesthood of the state, and prefect of morals. Caesar also went around the elective power of the assemblies and named magistrates for the next few years. Caesar's enemies accused him at aiming at monarchy. On March 15, 44 B.C.E., Julius Caesar was stabbed to death as he entered the senate.
  • 31 BCE

    Battle of Actium

    With Octavian and Mark Antony struggling for power, they both were trying to gain the support of the public. Mark Antony promised to restore the republican constitution, and Octavian published an alleged will of Mark Antony showing where he had plans to leave provinces of Rome to Cleopatra's kids. In 31 B.C.E., a battle was fought at Actium. Octavian's best general, Agrippa, defeated Mark Antony's army. He pursued Antony and Cleopatra back to Alexandria where they committed suicide.
  • 68

    Death of Nero

    Nero's reign in Rome spanned 14 years. Upon the death of his father, Claudius, Nero became emperor. Toward the end of Nero's reign, Rome was experiencing financial hardship due to rebuilding expenses after the great fire of 64 A.D. The Governor of Galba appointed himself head of the senate and Romans. He gained the support of the senate, and they declared Nero an enemy. Nero, seeing that he could not escape capture, took his own life. This was the end of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty.
  • 121

    Death of Marcus Aurelius

    Marcus Aurelius was one of Rome's most revered emperors. With his son Commodus, they fought the against the German tribes at Rome's northern border. He wanted to expand Rome's territory by defeating the enemy, but died before it was completed. "He was remembered for his contemplative nature and his rule driven by reason." ("Marcus Aurelius - Ancient History").
  • 272

    Life of Constantine

    Constantine the Great, was the Roman Emperor who opened the door for Christianity to become the state's religion. "The victory of Constantine(Battle of the Milvian Bridge) and his emergence as sole ruler of the empire changed the condition of Christianity from a precariously tolerated sect to the religion the emperor favored. This put it on the path to becoming the official and only legal religion in the empire.(Kagan, Turner, Ozment, & Frank, 2012).
  • 476

    Fall of Rome

    Rome in its vastness had soldiers spread far and wide on military conquests. While trying to fight off the tribes to the North, and gain new territory, Rome depleted its resources. "Without new conquests to provide the immense wealth needed to defend and maintain internal prosperity, the Romans finally yielded to unprecedented onslaughts by fierce and numerous attackers.(Kagan, Turner, Ozment, & Frank, 2012). The walls of Rome were breached in 410 A.D., by the Visigoths.