The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire

By jessicabesst
  • Period: 753 BCE to 509 BCE

    The 7 Legendary Kings of Rome

    All the Kings of "Romulus" were elected by the senate, the seven being: Romulus, Numa Pompilius, Tullus Hostilius, Ancus Martius, Lucius Tarquinius Priscus (Tarquin the Elder), Servius Tullius, and Tarquinius Superbus (Tarquin the Proud).
  • 625 BCE

    The Start of Rome

    It is speculated that Latium villagers merged with settlers in the surrounding hills after an Etruscan invasion, resulting in the city-state of Rome forming.
  • 509 BCE

    End of Monarchy in Rome

    Lucius Tarquinius Superbus is overthrown, after being portrayed as a tyrannical and cruel ruler and and uprising occurred over the rape of a noblewoman named Lucretia, by the king's son. From this point, Rome pivoted from a monarchy to a Republic.
  • 450 BCE

    First Roman Law Code

    12 bronze tablets including issues of legal procedure, civil rights, and property rights provided a basis for future Roman civil law.
  • Period: 264 BCE to 146 BCE

    The Punic Wars

    Series of conflicts revolving around the Roman Republic and the Empire of Carthage.
    These wars were fought in effort to establish control over the islands of Corsica and Sicily.
  • 240 BCE

    Initial Appearance of Roman Literature

    Translations of Greek to Latin and the adoption of Greek philosophy, religion, and art
  • Period: 133 BCE to 120 BCE

    Social Reform Movements

    Led by reformers Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus, social movements took place to address the gap between the social classes.
  • Period: 107 BCE to 63 BCE

    Warlords and the Domination of Rome

    Gaius Marius, a commoner who was elevated to the position of consul due to his military prowess.
    Marius' fellow general Sulla emerged as dictator around 82 BC.
    Marcus Tullius Cicero is elected consul in 63 BC, defeated the conspiracy of the patrician Cataline and won a reputation as one of Rome's greatest orators.
  • 49 BCE

    Caesar's Emergence as Dictator

    A civil war ignites after Caesar's invasion of Italy, from which he became dictator for life
  • 44 BCE

    The Murder of Julius Caesar

    The "ides of March", (March 15), Caesar is murdered by a group of his enemies, led by Brutus and Cassius
  • 29 BCE

    Octavian is Ruler of Rome

    Octavian is the sole leader of Rome and its provinces and restored the political institutions of Rome while retaining all real power for himself.
  • Period: 284 to 305

    Reign of Diocletian

    Peace and prosperity were temporarily restored in Rome, power was divided into a "tetrarchy", which is a rule of four. Diocletian and Galerius ruled the Eastern empire, while Constantius and Maximian took control of the West.
  • 324

    Constantine Becomes Sole Emperor of Rome

    The Roman capital is moved to the Greek city of Byzantium and renamed Constantinople
  • 325

    Christianity is named as Rome's official religion

    Under the rule of Constantine, it is declared that Christianity is Rome's official religion.
  • Period: 410 to 449

    Rome's Foundations are Shaken

    Under the weight of its massive empire, Rome lost its provinces one by one:
    Britain was lost in 410, Spain and Northern Africa by 430, the Huns led by Attila invaded Italy and Gaul around 450, shaking the foundations of the empire.
  • 476

    Odovacar takes Control

    A Germanic prince known as Odovacar won control of Italy's Roman army in September of 476.
    The fall of the Roman Empire was complete after Odovacar deposed Romulus Augustus, Rome's last western emperor.