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The First Punic War, or the First Carthaginian War, was fought over control of the islands Corsica and Sicily. The Roman Republic eventually forced Carthage to cede both Sicily and the Lipari islands.
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The Qin dynasty established the first great empire in China. It also established the approximate boundaries and basic administration systems for subsequent dynasties.
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Rome's blockade of Carthage forces them to capitulate. Carthaginians give up most of its island, including, Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica to Rome. Carthage also agrees to pay a war indemnity, to keep its ships out of Italian territory, and to cease recruiting mercenaries from Italy.
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Hannibal takes command of the Punic army in Spain. He was trained by his father, Hamilcar Barca, from an early age to despise Rome, and he took up his mantle of leadership with a vengeance.
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The second Punic War, or the Second Carthaginian War, was both a land and sea battle that ended after Hannibal's defeat at Zama. Carthage was forced to pay more indemnity, surrender its navy, and they ceded Spain and the Mediterranean islands its held.
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The Battle of Cannae was one of the most significant historical battles. Roman forces were routed by Hannibal's African, Gallic, and Celtiberian forces.
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The First Macedonian War commenced after Macedonian King Phillip V allied with Hannibal against Rome. He invaded Roman client nations in Illyria capturing much territory. The Peace of Phoenice ended the war allowing Macedonia to retain its conquered lands.
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The Former and Later Han dynasties ruled for more than 400 years combined. Ruling officials were Confucian trained in the classics and utilized many of the Qin administrative systems. The arts and history writing flourished during peace times.
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The Battle of Zama was the last decisive battle of the Second Punic Wars. Hannibal was forced to march back from Italy to defend Carthage against the Roman approach through Africa. To no avail. Roman General Scipio won this battle ending Hannibal's command and Carthage's chances to significantly oppose Rome.
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The Second Macedonian War was launched by the Roman Senate in response to Philip V's continued harrying of Greek city-states on the Aegean. Philip V's forces were badly defeated, and Macedonia was forced to pay a large indemnity, cede territories outside Macedonia, and to get rid of most of its navy.
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The Proclamation of Greek Freedom was declared after the defeat of Philip V and his ejection from Greece.
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In response to Rome's growing influence over Greece, Antiochus III was recruited by the Aetolians to stop the Roman spread of power. Antiochus III was defeated at the Battle of Magnesia--after refusing to voluntarily remove his troops--and was forced to pay a large indemnity, surrender his fleet and elephants, and furnish hostages, including his son Antiochus IV. He ceased his conquests in Asia Minor.
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The Third Macedonian War was started when Perseus, son of Philip V, began building relationships with several Greek city-states. The Romans were not pleased and so pressed a war against Perseus and his forces.
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The Roman wars in what is now modern day Spain and Portugal. Long term efforts by Rome to gain control of the Iberian peninsula after the fall of Carthage. The Cetliberians were the last real resistance against the incursion of Roman rule.
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The Third Punic War, or the Third Carthaginian War, resulted in the final destruction of Carthage, enslavement of her people, and Roman hegemony over the western Mediterranean.
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Numantia fell to Roman commander Scipio Aemilianus after he blockaded the entire city with 6 miles of continuous ramparts. Reduced to starving, the surviving Numanites capitulated ending all serious resistance to the Romans.
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Tiberius Gracchus was a Roman tribune who proposed agrarian reforms to restore independent farmers to their former statuses. He was later assassinated when he lost his supporters. The Tribunate of Tiberius Gracchus marked the beginning of the Roman Revolution, the beginning of the end for the Republic.
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Gaius Gracchus was a Roman tribune and brother to Tiberius Gracchus. He proposed the same agrarian reforms as his brother and included additional measures to lessen the power of senatorial nobility. His efforts produced mixed results, but he was more effective than Tiberius.
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The Jugurthine War was sparked after the King of Numidia--Jugurtha--ordered the deaths of Roman and Italian businessmen in Numidia. Gaius Marius and Lucius Cornelius Sulla were together able to defeat King Jugurtha and his troops.
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In response to a new barbarian threat from the North, Roman Consul Gaius Marius was offered a second consulship after his success in the Jugurthine War. He made significant changes to the military to build strength and loyalty among the ranks.
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The Italian allies of Rome grew discontent and eventually revolted setting up their own confederation. Rome responded by offering citizenship and all the attendant protections to the loyalists and rebels. Italians were allowed to retain their self-governance and independence.
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Marcus Licinius Crassus and Cnaeus Pompey were two ambitious men who further destabilized the structure and integrity of the Roman Republic. Each sought additional power and influence using various means, and both were largely successful. Pompey through his military record and reputation with the Senate and Crassus through his smart alliances with popular leaders like Gaius Julius Caesar.
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The First Triumvirate was forced on its members by a Senate fearful of one man becoming too powerful. Pompey, Crassus, and Caesar were joined in an informal alliance of three men seeking different goals. Not very stable.
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Caesar received an opportunity to gain military glory and power when he was given governorship of Illyricum and Gaul for five years. When he returned to Rome, he had conquered the province, Gaul, and consolidated his gains. He returned a more powerful man.
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Crassus, Caesar's strongest ally, is killed in battle at Carrhae while seeking to conquer the Parthians. This leaves Caesar in a precarious position as the First Triumvirate has dissolved and Pompey has joined the Senate against him.
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Caesar crosses the Rubicon river and forces a civil war after the Senate and Pompey conspire to exile and or kill him.
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As ruler of Rome, Caesar changed very little in the government of Rome, but his military power negated the way it used to function. He did make reforms that favored Italians and provincials, angering the old Roman families--his biggest enemies.
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The civil war ended after Caesar defeated the last of the forces sent against him--then serving under Pompey's sons--at Munda in Spain.
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Caesar is assassinated at the Senate by those fearing his monarchical aspirations. This is followed by 13 more years of civil war, marking the end of the Roman Republic.
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The Second Triumvirate was formed to fight off the assassins of Julius Caesar. It was formed of Caesar's grandnephew and heir Octavian, and two of Caesar's officers, Marcus Antonius and Lepidus.
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The Battle at Philippi was a Roman against Roman battle between Octavian and Antony--Caesar's avengers--and Brutus and Cassius--Caesar's assassins and tools of the Republic. Octavian and Antony defeat Brutus and Cassius--symbolically and literally ending the 500-year old Roman Republic
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The Battle of Actium was waged between former allies Octavian and Marc Antony near Acarnania off the western coast of Greece. Octavian defeated Antony and became the undisputed master of the Roman world.
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After his Octavian's victory at Actium, he faced the challenge of setting up a new type of government. The Senate accepted and applauded his new constitutional structure and gave him the name Augustus. Thus began the era of Augustus' Principate, a monarchy with a cooperative Senate.
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Jesus Christ is crucified
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Caligula, or Gaius Caesar Germanicus, was an infamous ruler known for his madness and unpredictability. He executed friends and foes on a whim, and viewed himself as a divine being. He was universally feared and assassinated by his own guards in the end.
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Nero was the fifth ruler and known for his extravagant and debauched lifestyle. It is alleged that he was responsible for the burning of Rome and the persecution of Christians
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This period includes several major incidents of religious persecution against Christians. Emperors Nero, Decius, Valerian, and Diocletian are among the most notable and aggressive anti-Christian rulers.
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Titus was called the "darling of the human race" because of his devotion to helping others in need. He aided Capania after Vesuvius erupted and helped rebuild Rome after the great fire in 80. He also conquered Jerusalem in 70 and completed construction of the Colosseum.
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Trajan was well-liked by the people for his improvements and increases in public funds and programs for the poor. He was well liked by Senate because of his return to the cooperative relationship between Emperor and Senate not seen since Vespasian. Trajan was also known for his attempts to extend the eastern borders into Dacia, Arabia, Armenia, and Mesopotamia.
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Marcus Aurelius represented to Golden Age of the Roman Empire, according to some. He is best know for his Meditations on Stoic philosophy, not as much for his statesmanship or military conquests. Most interesting about Aurelius is that he insisted he co-rule with his adopted brother Lucius Verus.
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Galerius, a notorious persecutor of Christians, issued the Edict of Toleration, officially recognizing and accepting Christianity as a religion in the Roman empire. This act ended the Diocletian persecutions.
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Christianity becomes the official religion of the Roman Empire
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The Sui and dynasties re-created the Chinese empire after nearly 400 years. The Tang dynasty expanded through Central Asia, taking control of the Silk Road. The people under the Tang dynasty enjoyed a rich and cosmopolitan lifestyle.
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The Song dynasty was a dynamic and expansive time in China. They enjoyed advances in technology, agriculture, the economy and trade, and culturally. The ever increasing contact with other cultures served to enrich and expand their own.
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Although a relatively short dynasty, the Mongols managed to create the greatest empire in history. Their lands stretched throughout most of Asia an Europe. They were know for their military prowess and overwhelming their opponents.
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Perseus was defeated by the Roman army of Lucius Aemilius Paullus at the Battle of Pydna. Perseus was returned to Rome in chains and Macedonia was broken down into four autonomous republics.
