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753 BCE
Founding of Rome
Scholar Marcus Terentius Varro set the exact date of Rome's founding in the 1st century BC. Around the 4th century BC, the myth of Romulus & Remus was originated. They founded a town where they were discovered as orphans. They were kept fed by a she-wolf before being found by Faustulus. They later discovered Amulius, their uncle had ordered them to death & they returned & killed him, returning their grandfather to the throne. Romulus killed Remus after a fight & named Rome after himself. -
509 BCE
Founding of Republic
When Tarquin was out of the city, Lucius Lunius Brutus led a move that would announce Rome to be a republic and denounce Tarquin. The army joined with them and forced Tarquin into exile. The senate then handed power to the two consuls. Tarquin tried to regain the throne but failed in the battle. The battle saw the death of Brutus and the Romans were led to victory by his co-consul. -
Period: 264 BCE to 146 BCE
Punic Wars
The largest wars before the birth of Christ was between the Roman and the Carthaginians. They fought to control the land and seas of the Mediterranean. Both wanted to expand their lands. A series of three wars allowed the Romans to gain control over the Carthaginians surprising many as the Carthaginian Empire was viewed to have been the victor as they were the dominating force on the western side of the Mediterranean. -
60 BCE
First Triumvirate
In an effort to obtain the most power possible, Caesar approached Pompey and Crassus to form an alliance that would lessen the pains from the senate, The refusal of the senate to grant Pompey's army land and ratify the east prompted his acceptance and Crassus' clashes over the Asian tax in addition to his extreme wealth and influence garnered his invitation. The three were able to bypass opposition and further their own goals. This was the beginning of the end or Rome. -
44 BCE
Death of Caesar
An effort to return Rome to republican liberties & the king-like behavior of Caesar, prompted the plan of his assassination. The coup was made up of not only his enemies, but also his friends. Most notably, Brutus. Rumors of the ambush arose which Caesar ignored. After being handed a petition, Caesar was stabbed & was surrounded by the remaining conspirators. Upon seeing Brutus, he said, "You too, my child!" Caesars death left Rome in a confused state. -
68
Death of Nero
Nero, after being condemned to death, was unable to commit suicide alone, he was assisted by his assistant. A rebellion had arose due to his unfair taxes. Even his bodyguards absconded in support of the rebellion. He had lost favor as he spent excessive amounts for his artistic quests. He had raised taxes & found many unfair was to finance his villa resulting in a failed Pisonian conspiracy. He discovered this & had the leading conspirators & many other wealthy Romans executed. -
180
Death of Marcus Aurelius
After an illness, Marcus Aurelius died in city of Vindobona. During this campaign, he wrote The Meditations, where he recorded his thoughts & feeling of life. He was known as The Philosopher. He was the last "Good Emperor". His reign was known as the golden age. He was held in high esteem for his kindness & how well he handled people as well as his intelligence & efficiency. He was succeeded by his son, Commodus, who obliterated most of the good Marcus Aurelius had done. -
Period: 272 to 327
Constantine
Constantine ruled in the 4th century and strengthened Rome with many reforms. He had a vision at the Battle of Milvian Bridge as he looked at the sun, he saw a cross of light above the sun with the words "in this sign, conquer!" In 313, together with Licinius, co-wrote the Edict of Milan stating "that it was proper that the Christians and all others should have liberty to follow that mode of religion which to each of them appeared best" Constantine became ill and died May 22, 337 -
476
Fall of Rome
The Germanic general Odacer ousted the remaining Roman Emperor, Augustulus Romulus. The western part of the Empire was ruled by Germanic overlord from then on. Streets and bridges were left to deteriorate and fields left untilled. Travel perilous because of the pirates and bandits. Trade and business began to disappear because cities couldn't be maintained without goods from the farms.
