Ancient Rome

Etruscans Rule Rome

650 BCE

The Etruscans were led by Tarquin the Proud and his son Sextus Tarquius. They founded Rome as a village and started building projects that turned it into a city. Rome was influenced by Etruscan culture, in the way they dressed, and organized their military.

The 1st Punic War

264 BCE

The 1st war with Carthage was from 264-261 BC. It started when the Romans sent an army to Sicily. Carthaginians took this as an act of war and were determined to conquer Sicily. Romans realized land power couldn't win this war and created a large naval fleet. After much struggle a Roman fleet defeated the Carthaginian navy off the coast of Sicily bring the war to an end.

The 2nd Punic War

218 BCE

Romans encouraged one of Carthage's allies to revolt, in response Hannibal the greatest Carthaginian general struck back beginning the 2nd Punic War in 218 to 201 BC. The Romans had their own general Scipio Africanus and he was who attack Carthage on home soil, beating Hannibal and delivering victory. Hannibal entered Spain and moved east across the Alps with an army of 46,000 men, a large number of horses, & 37 battle elephants. The 2nd war involved confrontations in Spain & Italy.

The 3rd Punic War

149 BCE

The war took place from 149-146 BC. This was the final war after years of struggles & prominent Romans calling fro destruction of Carthage. 148 the Roman siege of Carthage in its 2nd year, remained unsuccessful until Scipio Africanus took over command & built a mole to block the harbor. 146 Carthage was destroyed & for the next 10 days Roman soldiers burned the city. While 50,000 men, women, & children were sold to slavery. This territory became a Roman province called Africa.

Spartacus Slave Revolt

73 BCE

Spartacus escaped slavery and took refuge in Mount Vesuvius. Spartacus led an army of 10,000 run away slaves. They fought using guerrilla warfare, and were making there way to Gaul. Crassus led an army to defeat them, which he did, 6,000 men escaped, they were hunted and crucified.

The 1st Triumvirate

60 BCE

The 1st Triumvirate was Caesar, Crassus and Pompey. They each had their own thing, Pompey ruled Spain, Crassus ruled Syria, and Caesar was a military leader in Gaul. When Crassus was killed in battle, the senate voted that Pompey should be the sole ruler. Caesar refused to step down and started a Civil War, in which he defeated Pompey. Caesar then became dictator and made reforms in Rome, till he was assassinated.

The 2nd Triumvirate

43 BCE

The 2nd Triumvirate was Octavian, Antony, and Lepidus. They split Rome in two, Octavian ruled the west, Antony ruled the east, and Lepidus took the armies. The 2 main rulers Antony and Octavian began fighting, and started a war. Antony married Cleopatria VII for protection, but Octavian invaded Egypt. This caused Antony to flee and later killed himself, then he forced Lepidus to retire from his position and made himself sole ruler of Rome.

Age of Augustus

31 BCE

(31B.C -A.D.14) Also known as The Golden Age of Latin Literature. The first book to become of importance is Aeneid by Virgil, it was the Roman Odyssey. Other popular writers at that time were a poet Horace who wrote Satires, and Livy who was a historian, who wrote History of Rome. Latin Literature started to flourish and grow once Augustus began to rule.

Gospels Written

40

The Gospels were written by four of Jesus's followers and/or disciples. They wrote a synoptic story of Jesus's life. They wrote these stories to share Jesus's story and love he had for all people. Paul brought the gospel's to Rome, in order to convert people the Roman people.

Burning of Rome

64

On the night of July 18, 64 A.D. a fire broke out in the merchant area of Rome. It was fanned by summer winds, the flames quickly spread through the dry, wooden structures of the Imperial City. The fire took the life of everything in its path for 6 days & 7 nights. After the fire ran its course it left 70% of the city in ruins. Rumors arose accusing the Emperor Nero of ordering the torching but was never confirmed.

Roman Colosseum opens

80

After nearly a decade of construction, Titus officially dedicated the Colosseum in A.D. 80 with a festival including 100 days of games. Measuring 620 by 513 ft, the Colosseum was the largest amphitheater in the Roman world. It was a freestanding structure made of stone and concrete with 3 stories of arched entrances. It had seating for more than 50,000 and people were most likely grouped by their social ranking.

Constantine the 1st Christian Emperor

313

https://youtu.be/3LaSFigCm50/
He was the first emperor to profess christianity. He not only initiated the evolution of the empire into a christian state but also provided the impulse for a distinctively Christian culture that prepared the way for the growth of medieval culture.

The Fall of the Roman Empire

476

Invaders came through in the 2nd half of the 4th century. The Huns came from Asia & moved to Eastern Europe. Huns put pressure on the Visigoths causing them to in turn settle on Roman territory & become allies. Soon after they revolted & the Romans tried to stop it but failed. In 410 the Visigoths sacked Rome & soon after another group emerged called Vandals. They poured into Spain & Africa & soon sacked Rome in 455. In 476 Romulus Augustulus was deposed by Germanic army leader ending the war.

Scripture Reflection

500

Acts 17:26 "He makes nations great, and destroys them; He enlarges nations, and guides them." This verse is saying no matter the ruler, God is in control of everything. Yes at one point God made Rome a great and powerful Empire, but a time must come for all things to fall, and God is charge of all. He knows the destiny of all things, such as people and empires. The one thing that everyone must understand is that God is in control not man.