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44 BCE
Julius Caesar was murdered.
Julius Caesar was murdered by the senate after he took control over Rome which marked the end of the Roman republic. -
42 BCE
Augustus began the construction of the Forum of Augustus.
Augustus Caesar constructed a new forum during this time known as the Forum of Augustus. The forum was completed 40 years later. This demonstrated Augustus' concept of finding Rome built of brick and leaving it made of marble. -
Period: 29 BCE to 19 BCE
Virgil Writes the Aenied
During this time Virgil writes his 12 book epic poem. -
27 BCE
Augustus Caesar becomes the first emperor of Rome.
Augustus Caesar gained the power of emperor through the senate. Augustus kept the title of elected consul but ruled the Empire for many years. -
Period: 27 BCE to 68
The Julio Claudian Dynasty
The Julio-Claudian Dynasty consists of the rule of Augustus to the rule of Nero. -
17 BCE
Augustus holds the Secular Games.
Augustus held the Secular Games. This was an ancient festival that symbolized the restoration of the older religion from the early republic. Horace the poet preformed his Secular Hymn at the Games. -
14 BCE
Augustus Caesar died.
Augustus Caesar died at Nola. He died of natural causes. -
14 BCE
Tiberius becomes the emperor.
Augustus designated Tiberius to be his heir. Tiberius was his third wife's son. Tiberius's role as emperor was formally confirmed by the Roman Senate. -
4 BCE
Jesus Christ was born.
Jesus Christ was born in 4 BC. Jesus was born the year of King Herod's death. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Judaea. -
23
Tiberius leaves Rome for Capri.
Tiberius became very fearful for his safety due to dangerous accusations from people. His advisors urged him to leave the public view. Tiberius decided to move to Capri and he never returned to Rome. -
30
Jesus of Nazareth is crucified.
Jesus was crucified in Jerusalem, Judea. Jesus was taken to a trial and the Sanhedrin declared that Jesus was a blasphemer that deserved death. Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea declared the crucifixion of Jesus. -
31
Tiberius elected consul for fifth time.
Tiberius allowed himself to be elected consul of Rome for a fifth time. Tiberius also chose Sejanus to be his co-consul. -
37
Caligula becomes emperor.
Gaius Caligula becomes emperor after Tiberius. -
37
Emperor Tiberius died.
Some sources say that he was completely insane when he died due to all of the conspiracies that plagued his rule. He took part in a ceremonial game that caused him to throw a javelin. He ended up wrenching his shoulder which led him to illness and a coma. He recovered but the Praetorian commander smother him to death. -
39
Caligula plotted to invade Germany or Britain.
In 39/40 AD, Gaius Caligula spent the winter in Gaul and on the Rhine. During this time, he planned to invade Germany or Britain. Caligula canceled this project of invading Germany or Britain. -
39
Caligula suppressed a revolt.
Caligula went to the Upper Rhine unexpectedly. He stopped a developing revolt. Caligula ended up executing Drusilla’s widower M. Aemilius Lepidus and Gnaeus Lentulus Gaetulicus who was the commander of the Upper Rhine armies. -
40
Galba gains command of Upper German army.
Galba received command of the Upper German army in 40 AD to 42 AD. -
41
Claudius become the emperor.
Claudius is the uncle of Caligula. Claudius succeeds Caligula as emperor. -
41
Caligula is killed.
He was murdered by a tribune of the Praetorian Guards known as Cassius Chaerea, Cornelius Sabinus and other. Caligula was murdered at the Palatine Games. -
42
Conspiracy against Claudius.
The conspiracy against the Claudius started because the aristocracy hoped they would regain their former powers after the death of Caligula but they were angered when Claudius surrounded himself with friends. His friends consisted mainly slaves and freedmen which shocked the middle class as they felt that his friends degraded the dignity of the imperial power. Claudius was able to crush this conspiracy. -
48
Vitellius becomes consul
his use of his father's position to advance his career establishes him as a person of greed. -
48
Claudius orders wife Messalina to commit suicide.
His third wife, Messalina, was involved in a scandal with a Roman senator, Silius. This affair cause trouble in Roman society. Claudius ordered Messalina to commit suicide. -
54
Nero becomes the emperor.
Nero is the son of Agrippina. Nero is the successor of Claudius and becomes emperor. -
54
Claudius dies in Rome.
Claudius's death is unclear. Many historians believe that he was poisoned by his wife Agrippina. -
59
Nero had his mother Agrippina assassinated.
His mother stood in his way of his marriage to Poppaea so he had her killed so he could marry Poppaea. The public was horrified by the crime. -
60
Galba was appointed governor of Nearer Spain.
Galba was appointed governor of Nearer Spain. He served as governor of Nearer Spain for eight years. -
64
The Great Fire breaks out.
The Great Fire broke out in the Circus Maximus and destroyed half of Rome. Nero blames the Christians for starting the fire. Other people blame Nero for the Great Fire so that he could build his new palace, the Domus Aurea. -
65
Nerva supresses Pisonian Conspiracy.
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65
Nero discovers plot against him.
A conspiracy was led by Gaius Calpurnius Piso, a Roman aristocrat after Nero reinstituted condemnations and confiscations for treason. The goal of the plot was to kill Nero and make Piso emperor. The plan was discovered by accident and the leading conspirators were condemned and killed. -
68
Galba becomes the emperor of Rome.
Galba was proclaimed emperor by his soldiers. After Nero committed suicide, Galba succeeded him. -
68
Vitellius is apponted governer of Germania Inferior
Furthered Vitellius's fame for gluttony and avarice -
68
Nero kills himself.
Nero kills himself after his is deserted by the pretorian guard. Nero is also condemned to death by the senate. -
69
Vitellius is assasinated
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69
Galba didn't get vote of allegiance from Upper Germany.
The legions of Upper Germany refused to give the customary vote of allegiance to Galba.The legions joined with the legions of Lower Germany to proclaim Vitellius as emperor. -
69
Galba was killed.
Using the promise of a donative, Otho won over the praetorians. The praetorians murdered Galba and Piso in the Roman Forum -
69
Otho becomes emperor.
Otho leds a rebellion against Gabla. Otho kills Gabla and becomes emperor. -
69
Otho sent a naval expedition out.
Otho quickly sent a naval expedition to Narbonensis, a region in southern Gaul. He summoned the Danube legions and marched out in March. -
69
Otho battles Aulus Vitellius.
Otho was told by his advisor to delay the battle but he insisted on the action. His army was defeated at Bedriacum which is east of Cremona. -
69
Otho dies.
Otho commits suicide after losing the battle against Vitellius -
69
Vitellius becomes emperor.
With the help of Fabius Valens and Caecina Alienus, Vitellius become emperor. Vitellius began the reign of the Flavian Dynasty. -
69
Vitellius is assassinated
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69
Vespasian becomes emperor.
He is prompted by his son Titus and the prefect of Egypt and the governor of Syria to become emperor. -
Period: 69 to 96
The Flavian Dynasty
Ruling of emperors from members of the family of Flavii from the Sabine country -
Period: 69 to 69
The Year of the Four Emperors
A year in the history of the Roman Empire where there were four different emperors that ruled in succession. The emperors were Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian. -
72
Vespasian occupies Commagene and Armenia MInor
Commagene and Armenia Minor were under Roman rule by Vespasian. -
73
Vespasian assumes power of censor
Vespasian appoints new members to the Senate. -
79
Mount Vesuvius Erupts
The city of Pompeii is destroyed when Mount Vesuvius erupts. The eruption preserved the town. -
79
Vespasian Dies
He died of fever and dysentery -
79
Titus becomes emperor.
Vespasian was succeeded by his son Titus. -
80
Titus completed construction of the Colosseum.
Titus completed the rest of the construction on the Colosseum. The construction was started by his father, Vespasian. -
80
A fire destroyed most of the Campus Martius area of Rome.
A fire destroyed most of the Campus Martius area of Rome. Titus provided lots of funds for relief and rebuilding. -
81
Domitian becomes emperor
He takes over Titus's role as emperor. He is also the son of Vespasian. -
81
Titus dies.
Titus died of a fever in the country villa where his father, Vespasian had died. -
83
Domitian launches campaign against Chatti
Domitian advances his conquering of Germania. -
85
Domitian aids Moesia against Dacians.
Domitian continues to conquer Germania by aiding the Moesia. -
96
Nerva becomes emperor
Nerva becomes emperor after Domitian is assassinated. -
96
Domitian is assasinated
Domitian was assassinated by a former slave hired by the prefects Norbandus and Peronius Secundus -
Period: 96 to 180
The Five Good Emperors
The imperial succession of Nerva through Marcus Aurelius -
97
Nobleman attempts to take Nerva's Throne
A nobleman attempted to seize the throne and after failing Nerva did not sentence him to death. -
98
Trajan becomes emperor
He was adopted by Nerva. -
98
Nerva dies
Before his death Nerva adopted Trajan and in this way began the sytem of adopting heirs -
98
Trajan begins his plan of expansion
He wanted to extend the limits of the empire in every direction and was well known for his militaristic ambition -
Period: 101 to 102
Trajan's campaign against Dacia
This was the beginning of his expansion and had been a previous failure under emperor Domitian -
117
Hadrian becomes emperor
Hadrian succede's Trajan after his death, although he is not the first or most favored choice. -
117
Trajan dies of illness
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117
Hadrian Terminates Trajan's plan of expansion
Trajan wanted to expand the Roman Empire but Hadrian didn't want to so he pulled out of Mesopotamia. -
Period: 120 to 132
Hadrian travels his provinces
Traveled more than any of his predecessors, listening to feedback of the inhabitants of Gaul, Britain, Spain, Asia, Greece, Sicily, Africa, Cappadocia, and Egypt -
138
Hadiran dies
Hadiran dies of illness. -
138
Antoninus Pius becomes emperor
He is adopted by Hadiran. -
138
Antoninus Pius founds the Antonines Dynasty.
The Antonines Dynasty is started with Antoninus Pius. After Antoninus's reign, the emperors that came after him were related to Antoninus. They achieved great heights of power. -
141
The Wall of Antoninus is constucted
He was cautious about Roman security and ensured defense first by peaceful means then administrative and finally military. -
161
Antoninus Dies
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161
Marcus Aurelius becomes emperor
After being adopted by Antoninus Pius, Aurelius becomes emperor after his death. -
161
Marcus Aurelius requests senate to elevate Lucius Verus as his colleague
Marcus realizes that the task as emperor is too great for him alone and therefore request Lucius Verus's elevation -
179
Marcus Aurelius defeats the Marcomanni and the Quadi
They are totally crushed as Marcus's plan is to make them extinct and recreate a new trans Danubian province that would extend the Roman Empire into Northern Europe -
180
Marcus Aurelius dies of illness
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Titus becomes emperor.
Vespasian was succeeded by his son Titus.