The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire

Founding of Rome

753 BCE

According to Roman mythology, Rome was founded in 753 BC by twin brothers; Romulus and Remus. They were said to have been raised by a she-wolf and later became the founders of the city. It is said that Romulus eventually killed Remus and became the first king of Rome.

Establishment of the Roman Republic

509 BCE

The establishment of the Roman Republic was a turning point in Roman history. It marked the end of a monarchy and the beginning of a new era where power was shared among elected officials called senators. This shift towards a republic laid the foundation for the Roman political system and influenced democratic systems in the future.

Punic Wars

264 BCE

The Punic Wars between 264 and 146 BC were a series of conflicts fought between Rome and Carthage, two powerful Mediterranean city-states. The wars were primarily driven by territorial disputes and competition for dominance in the region. Hannibal's famous crossing of the eventual Roman victory in the third Punic war are some key highlights.

Julius Caesar's Crossing of the Rubicon

49 BCE

The Rubicon River served as the boundary between Gaul (modern-day France) and Italy, and by crossing it with his army, Caesar defied the Senate's orders and effectively started a civil war. This helped to showcase Caesar's ambition and the events that led to the downfall of the Roman Republic

Assassination of Julius Caesar

44 BCE

A group of senators by Brutus and Cassius conspired against Caesar and stabbed him to death in the Senate. This act of betrayal marked the end of the Roman Republic and paved the way for the rise of the Roman Empire under Augustus.

Augustus becomes the first Roman Emperor

27 BCE

After the assassination of Julius Caesar, Augustus emerged as the sole leader of Rome and ushered in a new era known as the Roman Empire. He brought stability, implemented reforms, and expanded the empire's territories. Augustus' rein marked a significant shift in the political structure of Rome, and he is often considered one of the most influential figures in ancient history

Completion of the Colosseum

80

Emperor Titus celebrated the grand opening of the Colosseum with 100 days of games, including gladiatorial combats and wild animal fights. This structure took 10 years to complete. The Colosseum was an engineering marvel of its time and could hold tens of thousands of spectators.

Edict of Milan

301

The edict, issued by emperor Constantine and Licinius, granted religious tolerance to Christians of the Roman Empire. This marked a major shift in the empire's policies towards Christianity and paved the way for its eventual acceptance as the state religion. The Edict of Milan played a crucial role in shaping the religious landscape of the Roman Empire.

Sack of Rome by the Visigoths

410

Led by their king Alaric, the Visigoths captured and looted the city of Rome. It was the first time in nearly 800 years that Rome had been invaded, and it marked a symbolic decline of the once-mighty Roman Empire. The sack of Rome was a turning point in history and had far-reaching consequences for the Western Roman Empire.

Fall of the Western Roman Empire

476

After years of decline and internal conflicts, the last Roman emperor, Romulus Augustus, was overthrown by the Germanic chieftain Odoacer. This event marked the end of the Western Roman Empire and the beginning of the Middle Ages in Europe