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650 BCE
Etruscans Rule Rome
The Etruscans influenced the Romans. They were located to the north of Rome at Etruria. They expanded and controlled Rome and most of Latium. They also influenced the organization of the Roman army. 3 of the kings were Etruscan controlled Rome. During that time, Rome fell under the Etruscans. -
264 BCE
1st Punic War
1st Roman war against Carthage. The war started when Rome sent their army to Sicily. Carthage said they owned Sicily and saw this as an act of war. Both sides were determined to conquer Sicily. The Roman created a large naval fleet. Rome won the war and Sicily became a Roman province. -
218 BCE
2nd Punic War
This war started in 218 BC and ended in 201 BC. The best Carthaginian general, Hannibal, decided to strike back. He brought this war to Rome. He entered Spain and crossed the Alps with horses, war elephants, and soldiers. Rome met Hannibal in 216 BC. Rome lost that battle and 40,000, but they refused to surrender. They conquered the Halian cities and sent troops to Spain to push the Carthaginians out. Rome attacked Carthage and won Spain. It was dominant in the western Mediterranean. -
149 BCE
3rd Punic War
Carthage recovered after the 2nd Punic War. Masinissa, governor of Numidia and a strong ally of Rome, attacked Carthage until they fought back. Rome then declared war on Carthage. They surrendered, but Rome wanted them destroyed. Carthage was under siege for 3 years. Rome sent an army to Africa and made Carthage a Roman province of Africa. The war ended in 146 BC. -
60 BCE
1st Triumvirate
A Roman power structure that was an unofficial reorganization. It united Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey. The 3 men were in charge of their own land- Caesar had Illynca and Gaul, Crassus owned Syria, and Pompey got Spain. Antipathy drove them apart and the 3 separated. At the battle of Pharsalus, Caesar won and took control of Rome's political system and military. -
43 BCE
2nd Triumvirate
A political alliance between Mark Antony, Lepidus, and Octavian. They gained power in chaos after Caesar's death. Lepidus was left out of renewal of partnership in 37 BC because of his losses in battle. Octavian ruled the west, Antony the east- where he met Cleopatra VII- which led to war since Antony was married to Octavian's sister. Octavian and the senate went to war against Antony at the battle of Actium. Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide, leaving Octavian as the first 1st emperor. -
31 BCE
The Age of Augustus
In 19 BC, Augustus was given supreme power over all of Rome. The peace during his reign made the economy, arts, and agriculture flourish. The famous poet Virgil wrote his epic, the Aeneid. Augustus passed numerous laws to benefit marriages and increase the population. He died in the year 14 and was proclaimed a god. This age lasted from 31 BC to AD 14. -
40
Gospels begin to be written
The gospels are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. They tell about the works and life of Jesus. More gospels may have been written- some say 30. Mark was written first, Matthew next, then Luke, and John was the last written. They were written by Jesus' followers and were the basis for the New Testament. -
80
Roman Colosseum opens
It was commissioned by Emperor Vespasian as a gift to the people of Rome. Titus, Vespasian's son, opened it after 10 years of construction. It was named the Flavian Amphitheater. It hosted gladiatorial combats, hunts, wild animal fights, and naval battles. After 400 years of use, it became run-down. Two-thirds of the original colosseum has been destroyed. -
313
Constantine, the 1st Christian Emperor
He was the son of an assistant and successor of Diocletian. He became the sole emperor of a reunited Rome. He moved the capital to Byzantium, a Greek city that he renamed Constantinople. He made Rome's official religion Christianity. 30 years after his death, Rome was divided again. -
476
Fall of the Roman Empire
Rome fell because of many different reasons. The most believable theory is that Rome couldn't fight off the Germanic tribes and the Vandals from invading and sacking Rome. A Germanic leader deposed of the last Emperor, Romulus Augustulus. Rome' economy crumbled because of continuous wars and overspending. The empire's massive size made it harder to communicate fast, have enough soldiers to defend the whole empire, and technological advancement slowed. -
