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753 BCE
Legends of Origin
Legend has it that Rome was founded by twins Romulus and Remus, sons of the god of war, Mars. They were allegedly left in a basket to die by drowning in the Tiber River before they were rescued by a she-wolf, and lived to defeat the king (Alba Longa) who had left them there. They founded their own city on the river's banks in 753 B.C.. Romulus then killed his brother and ruled alone. Rome is named after him. After this time, more random kings emerged of this interesting, rising civilization. -
650 BCE
The Etruscan Rule
The Etruscans occupied the Region north of Rome and close to the Tiber River. They were once socially higher than Greeks, but were later subject to them as the Roman empire grew. These peoples settled mostly in Italy, and slowly moved up the peninsula. The Etruscans Found Rome as a small village, but with their building expertise and skill, built it up to be a great empire with elaborate buildings. Not only did they increase Roman population, but increased the physical size of the city as well. -
313 BCE
Constantine Becomes the First Christian Emperor
Over time, the revolutionary idea of eternal life to all spread across Rome. Christianity fulfilled the human need to belong. In the third century, emperors failed to begin new persecutions on Christians. In the fourth century, Christianity prospered when Constantine became the first Christian emperor. Constantine proclaimed the official tolerance of Christianity with the Edict of Milan. Later, under Theodosius the Great, Rome adopted Christianity as its official religion. -
264 BCE
The 1st Punic War
The first Punic war took place against the Carthage and Rome. These 2 groups were peaceful up until Carthage felt their interests were not being sought after around 264 BC. The Carthaginians and Romans both wanted to attain Sicily, and a territory dispute soon broke. Rome, underdog of the first battle, created a naval fleet for protection of their land, and steadily became victorious in the war. Carthage had to withdraw and pay 3,200 talents of silver for the next 10 yrs. Rome won the 1st war. -
218 BCE
The 2nd Punic War
Hannibal, military leader of Carthage, swore revenge on Rome for defeating them in the 1st punic war. He brought 46,000 men and 37 battle elephant across the Alps. This was a big threat to the Roman Empire and made them weak. The romans lost 40,000 men at the battle of Cannae, but continued to fight. Rome steadily recovered, and once again became victorious. In the final battle, Carthage lost previously occupied Spain, and were also defeated in Italy through a strategic battle plan made by Rome -
218 BCE
The 3rd Punic War
At this point, Carthage was desperate to defeat the Romans once and for all. Carthage had recovered from their second loss, and took on Hannibal as their governor. They soon became fed up with a little province known as Numidia, and attacked them. This broke the treaty that ended the second punic war. Rome barricaded the Carthaginians in and forced them to surrender. Later, Carthage was sacked, and Hannibal not wanting to give his enemies satisfaction, killed himself by drinking poison. -
73 BCE
Slave Revolt
The gladiator Spartacus, along with two other escaped slaves, Crixus and Oenamus, led an impressive slave revolt in Italy. At its peak, the army had 90,000-120,000 slaves join. Spartacus was captured and executed in 71 B.C. after having taken out several Roman armies and inspiring slaves all across the country to do the same. In order to stifle this uproar, six thousand of his followers were crucified shortly afterwards. Romans were now living in fear of their own slaves. -
60 BCE
The 1st Triumverate
A triumvirate is a governing body of 3 people with power. The first triumvirate was made of 3 political/military leaders: Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey. Caesar got military control in Gaul, Crassus was given command in Syria, and pompey was in charge of Spain. Before these men, there was great political unrest. When these men finally gained power by illegally crossing borders of Rome, in attempt to capture it, Caesar became dictator and weakened senate. This led to his assassination in 44 BC. -
43 BCE
The Second Triumvirate
The Second Triumvirate was started by three men: Octavian (Caesar's heir and grandnephew), Antony (Caesar's ally and assistant), and Lepidus (Commander of Caesar's cavalry). Soon, Octavian took the West and Antony took the East, but the Empire was still too small for two rulers. Antony allied with Cleopatra VII and fell in love. Octavian crushed the couple at the Battle of Actium in Greece in 31 BC. Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide in 30 BC. Octavian stood supreme over the Roman World. -
40 BCE
Gospels begin to be written
The teachings of early Christianity were passed on orally. During the time of Jesus, his disciples wrote down his sayings and their personal memories. From 40 AD to 100 AD, the Gospels ("Good news" concerning Jesus) were written. The gospels are a record of Jesus' life and teachings. They are the core of the New Testament that makes up the second part of the Bible. -
31 BCE
The Age of Augustus
Octavian was the first Roman Emperor. In 27 BC, Octavian proclaimed the "restoration of the Republic." The Roman Senate changed Octavian's name to Augustus, meaning "the revered one." Augustus conquered many new areas with a standing army of 28 legions, or 150,000 men. When Augustus attempted to conquer Germany, he failed and three legions under Varus were massacred. For months after, Augustus beat his head on a door repeating, "Varus, give me back my legion!" -
80
Roman Colosseum Opens
The Colosseum was one of the most famous buildings in Rome. It could hold 50,000 people. Viewers observed gladiator fights, mock sea battles, animal circuses, and animal fights and hunts. To gladiators, the only exit was death. Shows were usually free to keep people content with the way the government was run. The Colosseum was the biggest amphitheater but there were also many smaller ones. Some people found the fights cruel, so they went to other theaters for dramas and poetry reading. -
180
New Roman Government (180-476 A.D.)
While Rome was on a high of success, its rapid downfall ensued. Marcus Aurelius was the last faint memory of a good ruler at the time of Rome's downfall; they had suffered from numerous unsuccessful attempts at leadership: first the military leaders, the Severans, who only cared about their soldiers & left the interests of citizens on the back burner; then Diocletian and Constantine, who had innocent and generous ideals, but failed to succeed. Rome was left helpless, in debt, and on the defense. -
476
Fall of the Roman Empire
The Fall began with the unsuccessful doctrines of new rulers. While Rome was in a weak state from these unsuccessful forms of government, it was on the defense, suffering attacks from all sides; first the Visigoths revolted, then the Vandals, and finally the Germans - who ended it all. Romulus Augustus' death signaled the climax of Rome's decline. The main reason for this occurrence is widely debated: the theories range from a plague to Christianity to mental illness created by lead poisoning. -
Ancient Rome Video
Ancient Rome Song It is a very immature song but has good information! :)
