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509 BCE
The Roman Republic begins
They wanted a system of laws to keep peace within their expanding empire. -
450 BCE
Law of the 12 tables are created
- 450 BC, plebeians forced patricians to have all laws written down.
- Laws displayed in Roman Forum, central square, on 12 large bronze tables.
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265 BCE
The Conquest of Italy
Romans had defeated Etruscans and Greek cities in Southern Italy. -
Period: 54 BCE to 217
Roman-Parthian Wars
The Roman-Parthian Wars were a series of conflicts between the Parthian Empire and the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire. -
44 BCE
Julius Caesar founds the Roman colony of Corinth
In 44 BCE Julius Caesar reestablished Corinth as a Roman colony. The new Corinth flourished and became the administrative capital of the Roman province of Achaea. -
Period: 44 BCE to 31 BCE
Civil Wars
The Social War revealed the talent of one general, Lucius Cornelius Sulla.
In the civil war that followed, Sulla emerged victorious and became dictator.
As dictator, Sulla drastically changed Rome. -
30 BCE
Egypt becomes province of the Roman Empire
In 30 BC, Egypt became an official Roman province. Daily life in Egypt changed little under Roman rule. Egypt became one of the most important provinces of Rome as a source of grain and as a trade center. For several hundred years, Egypt was a source of great wealth for Rome. When Rome split in the 4th century, Egypt became a part of the Eastern Roman Empire (also called Byzantium). -
27 BCE
The first Roman Emperor, Augustus, comes to power
Roman Empire begins as Caesar Augustus becomes the first Roman Emperor -
Period: 27 BCE to 180
Pax Romana
The Pax Romana (Latin for "Roman Peace") is a roughly 200-year-long period in Roman history which is identified with increased and sustained inner hegemonial peace and stability. It is traditionally dated as commencing from the accession of Caesar Augustus, founder of the Roman principate, in 27 BC and concluding in 180 AD with the death of Marcus Aurelius, the last of the "good emperors". -
Period: 1 CE to 100
Mithraism spreads in the Roman empire
Mithraism, also known as the Mithraic mysteries, was a Roman mystery religion centered on the god Mithras. The religion was inspired by Iranian worship of the Zoroastrian god Mithra, though the Greek Mithras was linked to a new and distinctive imagery, and the level of continuity between Persian and Greco-Roman practice is debated.[1] The mysteries were popular among the Roman military from about the 1st to the 4th century CE. -
43
Romans invade Britain under Emperor Claudius
The conquest of Britain begins. -
64
Great fire of Rome
The Great Fire of Rome was an urban fire that occurred in July, 64 AD. The fire began in the merchant shops around Rome's chariot stadium, Circus Maximus, on the night of July 19. -
69
Year of Four Emperors
The Year of the Four Emperors, 69 AD, was a year in the history of the Roman Empire in which four emperors ruled in succession: Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian. -
79
Mount Vesuvius erupts
The eruption impacts devastating on the society, destroying Pompeii and Herculaneum. -
80
The Colosseum is constructed
It was the largest amphitheater ever built at the time and held 50,000 to 80,000 spectators. The Colosseum is situated just east of the Roman Forum. Construction began under the emperor Vespasian in AD 72 and was completed in AD 80 under his successor and heir, Titus. Further modifications were made during the reign of Domitian (81–96). It was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles based on Classical mythology. -
Period: 115 to 117
Rome occupies Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia was the name of two distinct Roman provinces, the one a short-lived creation of the Roman Emperor Trajan in 116–117 and the other established by Emperor Septimius Severus in ca. 198, which ranged between the Roman and the Sassanid empires, until the Muslim conquests of the 7th century. -
116
Invasion and annexation of the Fertile Crescent region by Rome under Trajan
Mesopotamia was the name of two distinct Roman provinces, the one a short-lived creation of the Roman Emperor Trajan in 116–117 and the other established by Emperor Septimius Severus in ca. 198, which ranged between the Roman and the Sassanid empires, until the Muslim conquests of the 7th century. -
165
First Great Plague of Rome
It spreads drastically, killing 2,000 people a day. -
Period: 165 to 167
Plague epidemic in the Roman empire
The Antonine Plague of 165 to 180 AD, also known as the Plague of Galen (from the name of the Greek physician living in the Roman Empire who described it), was an ancient pandemic brought back to the Roman Empire by troops returning from campaigns in the Near East. The disease broke out again nine years later, according to the Roman historian Dio Cassius (155–235), causing up to 2,000 deaths a day in Rome, one-quarter of those who were affected, giving the disease a mortality rate of about 25%. -
Period: 167 to 180
Marcomannic Wars
Marcomannic Wars (Latin: bellum Germanicum et Sarmaticum, "German and Sarmatian War") were a series of wars lasting over a dozen years from about 166 until 180 AD. These wars pitted the Roman Empire against, principally, the Germanic Marcomanni and Quadi and the Sarmatian Iazyges. -
193
Year of Five Emperors
After the assassination of Emperor Commodus, Pertinax, Didius Julianus, Pescennius Niger, Clodius Albinus, and Septimius Severus all held the office of emperor.
