Topics 7-9 Test

Roman Monarchy

509 BCE

The Roman Monarchy was the period of Roman history from its legendary founding in 753 BCE to the overthrow of the last king in 509 BCE. According to tradition, the monarchy was established by Romulus, the city's founder, and included seven kings who ruled Rome until the Roman Republic was established. The monarchy was characterized by a centralized system of government, social and economic stratification, and significant religious practices.

The Punic Wars

149 BCE

The Punic Wars were a series of three wars fought by Rome and Carthage between 264 BCE and 146 BCE. The wars were primarily fought for control of the western Mediterranean, with each side seeking dominance over trade and territory. The first war began with a dispute over the city of Messina, while the second and third were fought over the leadership of the Mediterranean world. Rome emerged victorious, and Carthage was destroyed in the Third Punic War.

Julius Caesar

44 BCE

Julius Caesar was a Roman politician, general, and author who lived from 100 BCE to 44 BCE. He played a critical role in the transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest military commanders in history. Caesar conquered Gaul, waged a civil war against Pompey, and became the dictator of Rome. He implemented numerous reforms and expanded the Roman Empire, but was assassinated in 44 BCE by a group of senators who feared his growing power.

Roman Republic

27 BCE

The Roman Republic was the period of Roman history from the overthrow of the Roman monarchy in 509 BCE to the establishment of the Roman Empire in 27 BCE. It was characterized by a complex system of government, with two consuls elected annually to serve as the highest authority in the state. The republic also included a Senate, assemblies, and various magistrates who oversaw different aspects of governance.

Caesar Augustus

14

Caesar Augustus, born Gaius Octavius, was the first Roman emperor and ruled from 27 BCE until his death in 14 CE. Augustus transformed Rome into a stable and prosperous empire, implementing social and political reforms, and expanding the empire through military conquest. He initiated the Pax Romana, a period of peace and prosperity that lasted for over two centuries, and is considered one of the most successful emperors in Roman history.

Pax Romana

180

Pax Romana, meaning "Roman Peace," was a period of relative peace and stability in the Roman Empire that lasted from 27 BCE to 180 CE. It was initiated by Augustus and maintained by subsequent emperors through military conquest, political reforms, and economic prosperity. It was not without conflict, but it is generally seen as a time of peace and prosperity throughout the Mediterranean world.

Diocletian

305

Diocletian was a Roman Emperor who ruled from 284 to 305 CE. He reorganized the empire into a tetrarchy, with two senior emperors and two junior emperors, in an effort to strengthen the administration and military. He is best known for his persecution of Christians, which was aimed at preserving traditional Roman religion and customs. Diocletian abdicated in 305 CE, marking the end of the tetrarchy.

Constantine the Great

337

Constantine the Great was a Roman Emperor who ruled from 306 to 337 CE. He is best known for his victory over Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312, where he credited his success to the Christian God. He later became the first Roman emperor to embrace Christianity and enacted several policies that supported the religion's growth. Constantine also founded the city of Constantinople and played a significant role in the transition of the Roman Empire from pagan to Christian.

Roman Empire

476

The Roman Empire was the period of Roman history from the establishment of the principate under Augustus in 27 BCE to the fall of the empire in 476 CE. It was characterized by a centralized system of government with an emperor as the highest authority, a complex bureaucracy, and a professional army. The empire expanded through military conquest and established a vast network of infrastructure, including roads and aqueducts.

Fall of the Western Roman Empire

476

The fall of the Western Roman Empire occurred in 476 CE when the last emperor, Romulus Augustus, was deposed by the Germanic chieftain Odoacer. The empire had been in decline for centuries due to economic, military, and political challenges, including invasions by Germanic tribes, political instability, and corruption. The fall of the Western Roman Empire marked the end of classical antiquity and the beginning of the Middle Ages in Europe.