-
753 BCE
Romulus founds (starts) Rome
This ties in very closely to know established legend the Rome was founded on 21 April 753 BC, which was traditionally celebrated in Rome with the festival of Pariy which was traditionally celebrated in Rome with the festival of Parillia. Two founding legends exist - Romulus and Remus and Aeneas. Rather than Contradict each other, the tale of Aeneas add to that of Romulus and Remus. -
44 BCE
Julius Caesar killed
The assassination of Julius Cesar was the result of a conspiracy by many Roman senators. Led by Gaius Cassius Longinus and Marcus Junius Brutus, they stabbed Julius Caesar to death in a location adjacent to the theatre of Pompey on the ides of March (March 15), 44 BC. -
126
Pantheon constucted by Hardrian
Originally built in 27 BC by emperor Agrippa, the Pantheon was destroyed in a fire in 80 AD. Hardrian commissioned the rebuilding of the temple but there is no indication of the emperor on the building at all. -
347
Christianity declared sole religion by Theodosius I
In lists of Roman Emperors, Theodosius is far from the most notable. One historian noted that this son of an emperor killed for high treason "veered disconcertingly between opposites febrile activity and indolent sluggishness, A simple soldierly life and the splendors of the court." But this little known emperor forever changed the course of Christian history not in one way, but in two. He used his power to officially enforce orthodox Christianity. -
410
Visigoths sack Rome
The Sack of Rome occurred on August 24, 410. The city was attacked by the Visigoths led by King Alaric. At that time, Rome was no longer the capital of the Western Roman Empire, having been replaced in that position first by Mediolanum in 286 and then by Ravenna in 402. Nevertheless, the city Rome retained a paramount position as "the eternal city" and a spiritual center of the Empire. The sack was a major shock to contemporaries, friends and foes of Empire alike.