Beginning, Middle, and End of the Roman Empire - Trent , Claire, Gentry.

Etruscans Rule Rome

650 BCE

The early development of Rome was influenced most by the Etruscans. They found Rome as a village but launched a building program to turn it into a city. Etruscan dress and military organization was adopted by the Romans. Early Rome was a monarchy from 753-509 BC, and two of the last three kings were Etruscans. In 509 BC, the Romans overthrew the last Etruscan king and established a republic.

The Twelve Tables Adopted

450 BCE

One of Rome's chief gifts to the Mediterranean world of its day and to later generations was its system of law. Rome's first code of laws was the Twelve Tables. The Law of Twelve Tables was one of the earliest surviving codes of law. There was a struggle between patricians and plebeians to protect the legal, social, and civil rights. A commission of ten men was appointed to write a code of law that was suitable for both parties.

The First Punic War, 264-241 BC

264 BCE

Carthage and Rome had originally been on friendly terms, but once the Carthaginians occupied Sicily, the Roman Senate decided to send an army to Sicily in 264 BC. Thus, the First Punic War began. Carthaginians were masters of the sea, whereas Rome had no navy. The Romans built 160 ships with land bridges that dropped onto enemy ships. The Carthaginian leader was cornered in Sicily and surrendered in 241 BC, making Sicily the first Roman province.

The Second Punic War, 218-201 BC

218 BCE

Rome invaded the island of Sardinia, and in response, Carthage sieged and captured the Mediterranean town of Saguntum, a Roman ally. The Romans declared war. The Romans decided to meet Hannibal, the greatest Carthaginian general, in Spain, where they suffered a serious defeat at the battle of Cannae, losing nearly 40,000 men in the process. However, the Romans recovered and defeated the Carthaginians at the Battle of Zama, ending the war. Carthage lost Spain, which became a Roman province.

The Third Punic War, 149-146 BC

149 BCE

After the Second Punic War, Carthage was merely a shadow of what it had been; however, Hannibal brought it back to prosperity. Carthage attacked Numidia, a Roman ally, in 150 BC, breaking the treaty that had ended the 2nd Punic War. Rome declared war on Carthage in 149 BC, and an army landed in Africa. Carthage surrendered, and Roman soldiers burned and demolished all of the city's buildings for ten days, and the inhabitants were sold into slavery. Carthage became a Roman province called Africa.

The first Triumvirate

60 BCE

A triumvirate is a government of three people with equal power. The first Roman triumvirate's members were Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey. In 53 BC Crassus was Killed, leaving only Caeser and Pompey to run Rome. Then the senate decided that it would be best if Caesar were to step down. Caesar declined to step down from his position and went to Italy. When Caesar returned from Italy he had an army. Caeser became dictator in 45 BC.

The Assassination of Caesar

44 BCE

Though the assassinators never met openly they had developed a plan. They eventually decided that they would hide daggers in their cloaks and would kill him while he was in the senate because non-senators were not allowed there which got rid of witnesses. In the days leading up to the assassination rumors were being spread that it could happen. Once the signal was given, they all quickly unsheathed their daggers and attacked him. He lied dead at the foot of pompey's statue.

The Second Triumvirate

43 BCE

The second Triumvirate was formed in 43 BC. The members of the second triumvirate were Octavian, which was Caesar's grandnephew, Antony, who was Caesar's ally and assistant,and Lepidus,who was the commander of the cavalry under Caesar. The power had been split up between these men shortly after Caesar's death. The began to feud over various things and Antony allied with queen Cleopatra's forces. Antony, and Cleopatra's forces were crushed by those of Octavian.

The age of Augustus

31 BCE

The age of Augustus all started when Octavian united the Roman empire. The age of Augustus lasted from 31BC to 14AD. Octavian became the first Roman emperor and was awarded the title of Augustus. He was then given the name Imperator which meant "Commander and Chief". Augustus kept an army of 150,000 troops and he also secured the Roman frontiers.Augustus also went an conquered many new lands.

Paul the Apostle

4

Paul the apostle was born in 4 AD. At first he was Saul, one of the main persecutors of christians after the death of Jesus. He was blinded by christ and shown the way of God. After he was given his sight back he became apostle Paul. He wrote many of the apostles and helped spread christianity in the Roman empire.

Gospels Begin to be Written

40

Gospels were started by Paul along with the religion of christianity. Christianity was saw as another jewish sect and was not recognized by most jewish temples because most of Jesus followers were jews. Christians in the late century lived very dangerous life because they were persecuted by Rome. When Rome persecuted christians they made martyrs that lead to the extension of the christian religion. Christians were persecuted by Rome because they wouldn't worship the Gods and Generals of the R.E.

Roman Colosseum Opens

80

The first colosseum was commissioned in around 70 to 72 AD. In AD 80, Vespasian's son Titus opened the colosseum-Officially known as the Flavian Amphitheater-with a 100 days of games. It was used for four years for games and show like it was made for but soon fell into neglect. Up until the 18th century the colosseum was used for building material for Romans and others. Even though it was damaged over time, it still stands and is one of the most iconic Structure of it's culture.

Constantine the 1st Christian Emperor

313

Constantine made christianity the new state religion when he became the emperor. Constantine called his empire his "New Rome". It became an enriched city with a forum, large palaces, and a vast amphitheater. Constantine became a christian when he was a general. He looked up to the sky and saw a cross in the sunlight and clouds, He had his men paint crosses on their shields and later won the battle. Although his policies were helpful, it could not help the dwindling Roman Empire.

Fall of the Roman Empire

476

The Roman Empire was on the verge of poverty because they could not fun their empire as well as they once did. Their empire that was based on slaves and conquering other lands proved that it was not a sufficient income. The attacks of tribes like Goths and Vandals along with civil wars in other parts of rome assisted in the fall of Rome. Soon Barbarians including ex roman soldiers that were familiar with tactics and layouts of rome pillaged and burned rome down. After the chaos Rome was over.

[Video] 3 minutes in the Roman empire

477

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