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100
Economic Turmoil
It is estimated that one-third of Romes population were slaves and because of the slaves on farms small farmers found it extrememly difficult to compete against them. Many small farmers had to sell their land and became homeless and jobless. This sent the republic and economy into a downward spiral.
This is important because it eventually made Rome go from a Republic government to a dictator. -
264
Rome Spreads/War with Carthage
Rome went on to capture Italy and had a lenient policy where they would let the conquered areas keep the majority of their normal culture but under Roman rule. While Rome spread they became enemies with Carthage and the Punic wars started and lasted for 23 years. The victories of the 3 Punic wars gave Rome dominance over the western Mediterranean.
This is signifficant because this aided the rise of Rome by showing dominance of their army and strategies. -
300
Roman Economy Weakens
Hostile tribes and pirates began to disrupt trade for Rome and they exhausted their resources of gold and silver the government raised taxes. Argiculture slowed because overworked soil lost its fertility. There was a food shortage and disease began to spread.
This is significant because this truely was the begining of the end since the new leaders of Rome had no real idea of what they were doing and how to handle such a large empire. -
451
The Twelve Tables
The Twelve Tables were twelve tablets that were hung in the Forum. This tables had laws of Rome carved into them so that no one could change the laws just to suit themselves. Although these laws mainly favored the Patricians, or wealthy landowners, and they later became the basis for roman law. These tables established the idea that all free citizens had the right to protection by law.
This was important to the development of Rome because it helped better the development of the government. -
476
The Western Empire Ultimately Falls
The mongul group the Huns forced the Germanic people to go to into the Roman empire and since the Germanics weren't welcomed they invaded Rome and they couldn't come up with a good enough army to fight against them. Not much longer after Attila set his sights on the Roman Empire itself and plundered everywhere in 452. The last roman emperor was ousted by German forces in 476 and the western half disapperaed. The Eastern half of the empire changed to the Byzantine Empire flourished until 1453. -
Augustus' Rule
Rome came to the peak of its power during Augustus' rule and Pax Romana was established. Pax Romana was a period of 207 years for which there was peace throughout Rome. The government was stable and efficent and agricutlture and trade was thriving.
This is significant because this time in Roman history there was no fighting and they had practically nothing to worry about in Rome during this period. -
Caesar Becomes Dictator
Caesar came to power as an absolute ruler and granted Roman citizenship to many more people, expanded the senate, created jobs for the poor and started colonies where people without land could own property. Although he was a tyrant he did help Rome start to get back on its feet but he then was assassinated and what was left of the republic was destroyed. -
Chrisitanity Spreads Through Rome
After Jesus' death his followers spread his teachings and created the official version of Chrisianity and it spread slowly but constantly through the Roman Empire. This caused the leaders of Rome to start persecuting Christians because their religion was "wrong".
Christianity spreading through the empire was important because it started to changes peoples attitudes in Rome and it also helped Rome begin to crumble from there being so many problems in the kingdom because of Christianity. -
Emperors Attempt Reform
Diocletian restored order to the empire and increased its strength. He soon separated the empire into two halves and appointed a co leader but kept the overall rule of the empire. His reforms were stopped short because he soon got sick and retired in 305 A.D. and yet another civil war broke out.
This is significant because he started to reform the empire but ultimately failed and the empire continued to decline. -
End of Tarquin the Proud's Rule
Tarquin the Proud was the last king of Rome. He was a very harsh tyrant that was driven from power. Since he was a tyrant the Romans decided that they never wanted to be ruled by a king again. So instead of a monarchy they made a republic where the power rested with the citizens who had the right to vote for the leaders of Rome.
This is significant because it was a revoulution of a new kind of government that they made work and were the first to create that kind of government.
