Rise Of Rome

Founding of Rome

753 BCE

According to legend, Romulus founded Rome on April 21, 753 BCE, after he and his twin brother Remus were raised by a she-wolf. This event marks the beginning of Roman history and the establishment of the Roman Kingdom.

Establishment of the Roman Republic

509 BCE

The last king of Rome, Tarquin the Proud, was overthrown, leading to the establishment of the Roman Republic. This new government introduced elected officials and a complex system of checks and balances.

First Plebeian Secession

494 BCE

In response to political inequality, the Plebeians withdrew from the city and demanded greater rights, resulting in the creation of the Tribune of the Plebs. This event was a significant step toward social and political reforms in the Republic.

Fall of the Western Roman Empire

476 BCE

The deposition of Emperor Romulus Augustulus by the Germanic leader Odoacer is traditionally marked as the end of the Western Roman Empire. This event signaled a major shift in European history, leading to the rise of various barbarian kingdoms.

Permanent Division of the Empire

395 BCE

The death of Theodosius I led to the formal division of the Roman Empire into Eastern and Western halves. This division would have lasting consequences for the political landscape of Europe.

Sack of Rome by the Gauls

390 BCE

The city was invaded and sacked by the Gauls led by Brennus, marking one of the lowest points in Roman history. The event instilled a lasting fear of foreign invasions and prompted military reforms.

Founding of Constantinople

330 BCE

Constantine established Byzantium as the new capital of the Roman Empire, renaming it Constantinople. This city became a cultural and economic hub, bridging Europe and Asia for centuries.

Edict of Milan

313 BCE

Issued by Emperor Constantine, the Edict of Milan legalized Christianity and promoted religious tolerance throughout the empire. This marked a significant shift in Roman policy, leading to Christianity’s rise as a dominant faith.

Reform of Diocletian

284 BCE

Emperor Diocletian implemented a series of reforms to stabilize the empire, including dividing it into the Eastern and Western Roman Empires. His policies helped address economic and military crises but set the stage for future divisions.

First Punic Wars

248 BCE

The First Punic War began over a dispute regarding the control of Sicily, a strategically important island. It ended with Rome's victory, leading to the surrender of Carthage and the loss of Sicily, which became Rome's first province outside the Italian Peninsula.

Second Punic War

218 BCE

This war was ignited by Hannibal's surprise attack on Rome through the Alps after the Romans intervened in a conflict involving Carthage and its Spanish territories. It concluded with a decisive Roman victory at the Battle of Zama, forcing Carthage to cede significant territories and pay large reparations.

Third Punic War

149 BCE

The Third Punic War was initiated by Roman fears of Carthaginian resurgence and resulted from Carthage's defiance of Roman authority. It ended with the complete destruction of Carthage, marking the end of Carthaginian power and the consolidation of Roman dominance in the Mediterranean.

Height of the Roman Empire

117 BCE

Under Emperor Trajan, the Roman Empire reached its greatest territorial extent, stretching from Britain to the Middle East. This expansion solidified Rome's status as the dominant power in the ancient world.

Eruption of Mount Vesuvius

79 BCE

The catastrophic eruption buried the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum under volcanic ash, preserving them for centuries. This disaster provided modern archaeologists with invaluable insights into Roman life.

Famous Slave Revolt

73 BCE

Spartacus was a Roman slave and gladiator who led a revolt against Rome, which turned into the Third Servile War

Judaism Revolt

66 BCE

Temple in Jerusalem is destroyed. Jewish rebellion against Roman rule in Judaea.

Great Fire of Rome

64 BCE

A devastating fire swept through Rome, destroying much of the city and leading to widespread suffering. Emperor Nero controversially blamed Christians for the disaster, leading to severe persecution.

Crossing of the Rubicon

48 BCE

Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon River, defying the Senate’s orders and igniting a civil war in Rome. His actions demonstrated the fragility of the Republic and set the stage for his rise to power.

Caesars Death

44 BCE

Julius Caesar was assassinated by about 40 Roman senators and his death resulted in a long series of civil wars that ended in the death of the Roman Republic and the birth of the Roman Empire.

Presence of Christianity

30 BCE

The first presence of Christianity in Rome. The year that Jesus of Nazareth, or Jesus Christ, was crucified in Israel