TImline

Establishment of the Roman Republic

509 BCE

In 509 BC, the Roman Republic started after people got rid of their last king, Tarquin the Proud. This change from a monarchy to a republic meant that officials were elected and citizens could take part in the government more. The ideas created during this time would influence governments for many years.

The Twelve Tables

450 BCE

The Twelve Tables, made around 450 BC, were the first written laws in Rome, carved on bronze tablets and displayed for everyone to see. They were important because they helped organize the rules people followed, making sure citizens were protected from unfair treatment. This legal system became the basis for Roman law and influenced many laws we have today.

The Punic Wars

246 BCE

The Punic Wars were three major battles between Rome and Carthage that happened from 264 to 146 BC. These wars were important because they helped Rome become a powerful force in the Mediterranean, especially after they won against Carthage. This victory allowed Rome to expand its territory and influence, which also led to more trade and cultural exchanges.

Rise of Julius Caesar

44 BCE

Julius Caesar was an important military and political leader during the late Roman Republic. He famously crossed the Rubicon River in 49 BC, which started a civil war. His rise to power peaked when he was made dictator for life in 44 BC, a key moment in Roman history. Caesar's leadership and changes to the government helped set the stage for the Roman Empire.

Julius Caesar Assassination

44 BCE

On March 15, 44 BC, known as the Ides of March, Julius Caesar was murdered by a group of senators who were afraid of his growing power. This event caused a lot of chaos and civil war, which ultimately led to the end of the Roman Republic. Caesar's death showed the serious political problems in Rome and made it easier for Augustus to rise to power and start the imperial system.

The battle of Actium

31 BCE

The Battle of Actium was a naval fight that happened in 31 BC between Octavian’s forces and those of Mark Antony and Cleopatra. Octavian’s victory gave him control over Rome and marked the end of the Roman Republic. Because of this win, Octavian became the first Roman emperor and took the name Augustus.

The Pax Romana

27 BCE

The Pax Romana, or Roman Peace, was a 200-year period of stability and prosperity across the empire that began in 27 BC with Augustus. This time allowed for a lot of trade and cultural exchanges, along with major improvements in things like roads and aqueducts. The Pax Romana helped Rome grow to its largest size and have a big impact on culture.

The Establishment of the Roman Empire

27 BCE

In 27 BC, Octavian was given the title "Augustus," marking the official start of the Roman Empire. This change was significant because it shifted Rome from a republic, where citizens had more influence, to an autocracy, where the emperor held most power. Augustus's reign brought stability after years of conflict and began the Pax Romana, a period of about 200 years. During this time, peace and prosperity allowed trade and culture to thrive throughout the empire.

The great fire of Rome

64

A terrible fire burned down a big part of Rome, causing a lot of damage and many people lost their lives. Emperor Nero tried to help by rebuilding the city, but he also blamed Christians for the fire. This showed how hard it was to manage a big city like Rome. The fire also got people talking about how to prepare for disasters and how to plan cities better.

The Construction of the Colosseum

80

The Colosseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheater, was built between AD 70 and 80 during the time of Emperor Vespasian. This amazing structure showed off the power and engineering abilities of the Roman Empire and hosted gladiatorial games and public events. Today, the Colosseum is still a strong symbol of Rome and its cultural history

The spread of Christianity

100

Christianity began to spread throughout the Roman Empire in the 1st century AD, even though it faced a lot of persecution at first. Its growth was important because it went against traditional Roman religious practices and changed the empire's spiritual beliefs. By the early 4th century, Christianity was officially recognized under Emperor Constantine, which led to it becoming the state religion.

The edict of Milan

313

The Edict of Milan, issued by Emperor Constantine, allowed people to practice their religion freely, especially Christians. This was a big change for the empire and helped Christianity grow and become part of Roman life. It also showed that people’s views on different religions were changing in the empire.

Foundation of Constantinople

330

Constantine made Byzantium the new capital of the Roman Empire and renamed it Constantinople. Its location connected Europe and Asia, making trade and cultural sharing easier. Building Constantinople showed that political power was moving east and set the stage for the Byzantine Empire.

The division of the Roman empire

395

When Emperor Theodosius I died, the Roman Empire split into two parts: the Eastern and Western halves. This split showed how difficult it was to manage such a big empire and highlighted the different cultures in each part. It also set the stage for how each half would develop, with the West eventually falling apart.

The sack of Rome

410

The Visigoths, led by Alaric, attacked and plundered Rome, which was a big moment in the decline of the Western Roman Empire. This shocked everyone in the Roman world and showed that the empire could be easily threatened by outside forces. The attack marked the end of an important period and hinted at the eventual fall of the Western Roman Empire.

Fall of the Western Roman Empire

476

When the Germanic leader Odoacer removed the last Roman emperor, Romulus Augustulus, many people see this as the fall of the Western Roman Empire. This event ended ancient Rome's power in the West and caused different regions to break apart. The fall also kicked off a time of change called the Middle Ages.

Nika Riots

532

Riots broke out in Constantinople because people were unhappy with the government and society, leading to a lot of damage. Justinian was in danger of losing his power but managed to stop the riots and strengthen his rule. These events showed how easily public opinion could change and highlighted the difficulties of running a diverse empire.

The Reign of Justinian I

565

Justinian wanted to bring back the glory of the Roman Empire, so he started military campaigns, changed laws, and built many things, including the Hagia Sophia. His time as ruler is famous for organizing Roman law into a document called the Corpus Juris Civilis, which shaped legal systems for a long time. Justinian’s efforts marked a peak in Byzantine culture and power.

The Battle of Nineveh

627

This important battle between the Byzantine Empire and the Sassanian Empire changed things for the Byzantines. Winning the battle helped them regain lost lands and boosted their power in the area. It also showed how strong the Byzantine military was and how they could bounce back from tough times.

Coronation of Charlemagne

800

Even though it wasn’t directly a Roman event, Charlemagne being crowned by Pope Leo III showed that the Roman legacy was still alive in the West. It represented the idea of a united Christian empire and affected European politics for many years. This event is often considered a key moment in the growth of medieval Europe.