Roman Empire Timeline

Battle of Actium

31 BCE

Rome was successful in this battle and Egypt was added to the Empire. In addition after this battle both Cleopatra and Marc Antony killed themselves.

Emperor Augustus

Period: 31 BCE to 14

Augustus was named heir by Julius Caesar before he was murdered. This is how he rose to become emperor. Augustus became ill and died.

Julio-Claudian Dynasty

Period: 31 BCE to 68

The Aeneid is published.

19 BCE

Jesus is born

4 BCE

Augustus considered a god

14

When Emperor Augustus died the Senate declared him to be a god because of his great accomplishments he had while he was alive. While in power for 10 years he added much land to the empire including: Egypt, northern Spain, and parts of Europe.

Emperor Tiberius

Period: 14 to 37

Emperor Tiberius rose to power because he was the only remaining relative of Augustus since both of Julia's two sons died.

Tiberius changes the election system

15

Tiberius changes how the elections in Rome are carried out. The power for this process is transferred from the popular assembly to the Senate.

Tiberius' escape to Capri

27

Tiberius went to the island of Capri where he attempted to escape from all of civilization. On the island, he would build huts and no one would be allowed to visit him. He would only allow Sejanus to visit him and help he him govern.

The Curia Julia is created

29

Augustus builds the Curia Julia which is the Senate house.

Crucifixion of Jesus

30

Caligula's change in leadership style

37

Emperor Caligula suffered from an illness which greatly impacted his governing style for the rest of his reign. From this point on he became more ruthless and would exile and kill more people.

Emperor Caligula

Period: 37 to 41

Caligula was the adopted son of Emperor Tiberius. This allowed him to gain power after Tiberius died. Caligula was murdered and this was his cause of death. Cassius Chaerea was repoisble for this crime and it occured at the Palatine Games.

Uprising against Emperor Caligula

41

Members of the Senate and the Praetorian Guard started to unite against Caligula. He was later stabbed to death by members of the Praetorian Guard

Emperor Claudius

Period: 41 to 54

Claudius was named Emperor by the Praetorian Guard. At first, the Senate was reluctant to accept him as the new leader of Rome. Claudius was poisoned and the cause of death. Historians believe Agrippina was the one who poisoned Claudius.

Claudius' troops invade Mauretania

42

Claudius orders troops to invade Mauretania in Northwest Africa. He successfully gains control of this land.

Claudius attempts to invade Britain

43

Claudius sent troops to Britain. This was an area of many resources. He successfully adds Britain to the Roman Empire.

Start of the Second Triumvirate

43

The Second Triumvirate was an alliance formed between Julius Caesar Octavianus, Marcus Antonius, and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus. All three people came together to form this powerful alliance for different reasons.

Galba becomes Governor of Africa

44

Before becoming Emperor Galba had great success in the political scene. He was governor of many places including a region of Africa. He held this position til 45.

Emperor Nero

Period: 54 to 68

Nero was adopted by Claudius which Nero's mother strongly promoted. This allowed Nero to become next in line to become Emperor. Nero's cause of death was suicide.

Nero becomes a tryant

59

Nero starts to turn into a tyrant after he orders the execution of Agrippina. He rules more aggressively and takes more power.

Great Fire of Rome

64

Nero was blamed for this great fire that lasted for six days. People thought Nero started the fire so that he would rebuild the city of Rome in the way he wanted. Nero however put the blame of the fire on the Christians living in Rom.

Jewish Revolt

67

The first Jewish Revolt occured becuase the Jews no longer wanted to be controled by the Romans in Judaea.

Uprising against Nero

68

Governor Gaius Julius Vindex attempts to start an uprising against Nero and his reign as emperor because of his corruption and tax laws. Governor Gaius Julius Vindex wants Governor Galba to declare himself emperor. Nero calls Galba a public enemy.

Emperor Galba

Period: 68 to 69

Otho helped Galba gain the power of Emperor. He was first appointed Emperor by his soldiers and later gained the title from the Senate. Galba was murdered by the Praetorian Guards.

The Year of the Four Emperors

Period: 68 to 79

Vespasian rise to Emperor

69

Vespasian was first given the title of Emperor by his troops and then he proceeded to Rome to face Vitellius and his army.

Second Battle of Bedriacum

69

Emperor Vitellius’ troops lost this battle. Emperor Vitellius was killed after the loss in battle and Vespasian was able to take over the power.

First Battle of Bedriacum

69

Otho marched his troops towards the enemy. The Praetorian Guard also helped Emperor Otho. When the battle turning in his favor he decided to kill himself instead of allowing all of his troops to suffer.

Galba’s army uprising

69

Galba’s legion that was located in the Germania Superior would not proclaim their allegiance to him. They wanted a change in leadership and show their anger by destroying statues of Galba.

Astrologers banished from Rome

69

All astrologers are no longer welcome in Rome by orders of Emperor Aulus Vitellius.

Otho's death

69

Otho committed suicide. This was the cause of his death.

Emperor Otho

Period: 69 to 69

Otho gained the title of Emperor by starting a conspiracy against Emperor Galba. He convinced the Praetorian Guard to turn against Galba. Otho's cause of death was suicide.

Emperor Aulus Vitellius

Period: 69 to 69

Vitellius gained power when the Senate appointed him Emperor. Emperor Aulus Vitellius cause of death was murder.

Emperor Vespasian

Period: 69 to 79

Emperor Vespasian gained the praise of Emperor Nero and this helped him secure the position of Emperor. Nero liked him because of his military success during the Jewish Revolt. The Roman Senate passed a law to give Vespasian the power of Emperor. He died from complications that related to an illness.

Flavian Dynasty

Period: 69 to 96

Colosseum is commissioned to be built

70

The Colosseum was built as a gift for the people of Rome. Emperor Vespasian started the building process on this iconic structure in Rome.

Eruption of Mt. Vesuvius:

79

Emperor Titus

Period: 79 to 81

Titus was the son of the previous Emperor Vespasian. From a young age, Titus was trained by his father to become the next Emperor of Rome. Titus had great success militarily as well, much like his father. He died from natural causes however some historians think Domitian might have poisoned him. This, however, is just a conspiracy theory.

Colosseum is opened

80

Emperor Titus opens the Colosseum in 80 AD after construction is complete. To celebrate the new arena he had 100 days of games. The games included gladitoaral fights.

The Arch of Titus constructed

81

This arch was built to celebrate the Roman take over of Jerusalem. The Siege of Jerusalem occurred in 70 AD and was lead by Emperor Titus. The Roman army was successful in conquering the area of Jerusalem.

Emperor Domitian

Period: 81 to 96

Domitian was given the title of Emperor by the Praetorian Guard. He was given this power because he was related to the previous Emperor, Titus. There is much conspiracy surrounding Emperor Domitian death.

The Stadium of Domitian is gifted to the Romans

86

The Stadium of Domitian is gifted to the people of Rome. This Stadium was a venue for competitive sporting events and it was the first of its kind in Rome. It is still in existence to today and is now named the Piazza Navona.

Uprising in Germany

89

There was an uprising in Germany which Domitian handled extremely violently. In addition, it translated to violence towards senators and public figures in Rome. How Emperor Domitian handled the situation made him seem similar to Nero.

Emperor Nerva

Period: 96 to 98

Emperor Nerva gained power quickly after the surprising death of Emperor Domitian. Nerva was not related in any way to the pervious Emperor.

The Five Good Emperors of Rome

Period: 96 to 180

Nerva adopts Trojans

97

Nerva adopts Trojans and named him the next emperor of Rome.

Emperor Nerva held hostage

97

October 97 AD- Emperor Nerva was taken by the Praetorian Guard and held against his will in the Imperial Palace. This was led by Casperius Aelianus.

Emperor Trajan

Period: 98 to 117

Trajan was first given the power of Governor of Upper Germany. Nerva gave him this power. Then Nerva adopted him since Emperor Nerva had no heir. This proved to be a good decision because Emperor Trjan had great success and started the Golden Age in Rome.

Construction of Bath of Trajan

104

Started the construction of Bath of Trajan which are thermal bath in ancient Rome.

War with the Parthian Empire

114

Emperor Trajan declares war with the Parthian Empire.

Emperor Hadrian

Period: 117 to 138

Hadrian initially had a lot of successes in the military and advancing himself through the steps of the Cursus Honorum. He ultimately became Emperor when Trajan adopted him and after Trajan's death. He experienced a painful death.

The Roman Pantheon is reconstructed

118

The Roman Pantheon is reconstructed after the Great Fire of Rome destroyed it. The Pantheon is Roman Temple dedicated to all the gods. It was originally built by Marcus Agrippa.

Construction of the Hadrian Wall

122

Emperor Hadrian ordered the Construction of the Hadrian Wall. This wall would a defensive wall built in the Roman province of Britannia. The main purpose of this wall was to keep the people of Scotland out of the Roman Province.

Construction of the Temple of Venus and Roma

135

Emperor Hadrian started to build the Temple of Venus and Roma which is a temple dedicated to goddess Venus Felix and Roma Aeterna. In addition, this is the largest temple in Ancient Rome