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Roman Empire Timeline

  • Augustus the First Emperor
    31 BCE

    Augustus the First Emperor

    Once Antony and Cleopatra lost to Augustus in the Battle of Actium, Augustus became emperor, ending the Roman Republic
  • Period: 27 BCE to 180

    Pax Romana of Augustus

    Created the 200 period age of the Pax Romana. It made many advances and accomplishments in engineering and the arts. Rome’s citizens were secure, and the government maintained law, order, and stability.
  • Aeneid
    19 BCE

    Aeneid

    The Aeneid is an epic created by Vergil. It was published, even after Vergil had said not to publish it because it was unfinished. It was not finished because Vergil dies.
  • Period: 16 BCE to 6

    Conquering More Land

    Augustus expanded the empire, adding Egypt, northern Spain and large parts of central Europe before invading Germany.
  • The Birth of Jesus
    6 BCE

    The Birth of Jesus

    Jesus Born Dec 25 6BC
  • 14

    Death of Augustus

    Augustus died
  • Nerva Is Born
    30

    Nerva Is Born

    Nerva is born into a senatorial family and is related to the Julio-Claudian family by marriage.
  • Jesus's Death
    33

    Jesus's Death

    Jesus Died April 33 AD
  • 37

    Caligula

    With Tiberius Gemellus and Caligula as joint heirs to the throne, Caligula ordered Gemellus to be killed and became emperor
  • Period: 37 to 68

    The Persecution of Christians

    He persecuted many Christians including Peter and Paul. With the fire, this also lowered his popularity among the Roman people since they saw this as something sickening.
  • 39

    Good start for Caligula

    Starting out great, he recalled exiles and reimbursed those wronged by the imperial tax system. Pretty much set things off to a good start.
  • 39

    Crazy Caligula

    Then he turned a bit crazy by showing his cruelty, immoral sexual incidents, or disrespect toward tradition and the Senate.
  • Titus is Born
    39

    Titus is Born

    The son of Vespasian and brother of Domitian
  • 41

    Assassination of Caligula

    He was assassinated by his bodyguards
  • 41

    Claudius

    Came into power after Caligula’s brutal death. They found Claudius hiding and trembling with fear, thinking that he would be easy to control, they named him emperor.
  • Claudius great imperial freedmen
    41

    Claudius great imperial freedmen

    Claudius's reign is the first era of the great imperial freedman. This gave power to three men: Narcissus, Polybius, and Pallas.
  • 43

    Claudius expands Rome

    He added more territory to Rome by invading and capturing Britain. Through this, he was able to show those who denied him, that he had military skills.
  • Claudius' Death
    51

    Claudius' Death

    He was poisoned by his wife twice and died
  • Domitian is Born
    51

    Domitian is Born

    Domitian is born to Vespasian. Domitian is his youngest son.
  • Nero Becomes Emperor
    54

    Nero Becomes Emperor

    Nero succeeds to the throne
  • 58

    Otho banished

    Nero exiled Otho, for falling in love with Poppaea and marrying her, but made him divorce her, so Nero could marry Poppaea. Otho was sent from Rome to govern Lusitania.
  • 59

    The Tyrant Nero

    He passed a series of treason laws for those who spoke out against him or seen as a threat. Nero acts like a tyrant instead of an emperor
  • The Great Fire of Rome
    64

    The Great Fire of Rome

    A great fire destroyed much of Rome, it was though that Nero had to destroy Rome in order to rebuild it.
  • 67

    Vespasian power

    During Nero’s reign, he was sent to suppress the Jewish Revolt in Judea.
  • Nero's Suicide
    68

    Nero's Suicide

    Nero had many enemies and many plotted assassinations but he killed himself, ending the Julian Claudio Dynasty.
  • The Four Emperors: Galba
    68

    The Four Emperors: Galba

    First emperor who was not descended from the Julio-Claudian Dynasty
  • 68

    Governor Vitellius

    Galba elected Vitellius as governor of lower Germany
  • 69

    Galba's Troops

    Once Galba was in power, he angered his troops by not paying them and Upper Germany refuses to swear allegiance to Galba
  • 69

    Assassination of Galba

    He was killed by the Praetorian Guard and ended up ruling for only 7 months
  • The Four Emperors: Otho Proclaimed Emperor
    69

    The Four Emperors: Otho Proclaimed Emperor

    Although Otho was not the succeeder of Galba, as he hoped he would be, he proclaimed himself emperor
  • Defeated at the Battle of Bedriacum
    69

    Defeated at the Battle of Bedriacum

    Otho gets defeated by Vitellius in northern Italy at the Battle of Bedriacum. Following his defeat, he committed suicide
  • The Four Emperors: Vitellius
    69

    The Four Emperors: Vitellius

    Because Galba did not reward the troops by paying them, Vitellius swayed them to join his side. He organized a coup and declared himself emperor
  • 69

    The Four Emperors: The defeat of Vitellius

    Like the two other emperors before him, Vitellius did not remain in power for long. He was defeated by Vespasian’s army, captured, humiliated and abused by the soldiers and then died
  • The Four Emperors: Vespasian
    69

    The Four Emperors: Vespasian

    Vespasian is proclaimed emperor by his troops, the same time that Vitellius is proclaimed emperor. His reign began Rome’s age of stability.
  • 69

    Vespasian victory

    Vespasian won in the second Battle of Bedriacum against Vitellius and took his position as the first Flavian emperor by the Senate
  • The Flavian Dynasty
    69

    The Flavian Dynasty

    The emperors were Vespasian, Titus and Domitian. The dynasty lasted from 69 A.D. to 96 A.D.
  • 70

    Vespasian army

    Focusing on his army, he restored discipline, removed officers loyal to Vitellius and ended the war in Judaea and in Britain, he conquered Wales and northern England.
  • Period: 70 to 79

    Vespasian rebuilding Rome

    He raised taxes and reclaimed public land. Vespasian was able to refill the vaults with money. With the money he built temples, a theater and early work on what would become the Colosseum.
  • Birth of Hadrian
    76

    Birth of Hadrian

    Hadrian was born into a Hispanic and Roman family.
  • 79

    Titus Reign

    Titus became emperor after the death of his father. He became well liked because of his generosity after the eruption of Vesuvius.
  • 79

    Domitian Gives Relief

    Domitian provides relief to the Roman people by restoring a lot of destruction caused by the Great Fire. He built around 50 buildings.
  • Mount Vesuvius Erupts
    79

    Mount Vesuvius Erupts

    Mt. Vesuvius erupts causing a lot of pollution and death. Mount Vesuvius was able to destroy a town and the smoke was carried to a lot of neighboring town.
  • Flavian Ampitheater
    80

    Flavian Ampitheater

    The Flavian Ampitheater was built under Titus' reign. It is also known as the Colosseum.
  • 80

    Games! Games! Games!

    Titus had 100 days of games in the Colosseum. It is said he did this in order to please the Roman people and gods.
  • 81

    Titus Dies

    Titus is said to have died from a fever.
  • 84

    Pay Raise

    Domitian raises wages for the army to gain their favor.
  • Birth of Antoninus Pius
    86

    Birth of Antoninus Pius

    Antoninus Pius was born. Most of the men in his family had been consuls
  • 96

    Nerva’s Reign

    Nerva is chosen by the Senate because they wanted a temporary emperor and someone that would not have extreme actions.
  • 96

    Pater Patriae

    Nerva is given the title Pater Patriae because he is quickly welcomed by the public.
  • 96

    Murder of Domitian

    A praetorian guard and his own wife murders Domitian. Domitian's death causes a lot of anger with the soldiers.
  • The Five Good Emperors
    96

    The Five Good Emperors

    The Five Good Emperors era consisted of Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius
  • 97

    Nerva is Imprisoned

    A praetorian guard imprisons Nerva because he wants the release of the men that killed Domitian, but Nerva declares that he would rather die.
  • 97

    Trajan is Adopted

    Trajan is adopted by Nerva to be able to ensure his succession. The difference between this adoption and others, is that Trajan is the first non-Italian.
  • 97

    Nerva’s Death

    Many people believe Nerva dies from a stroke.
  • Trajan’s Column
    113

    Trajan’s Column

    It was built in celebration of the victories against the Dacians. There are 155 scenes carved into the structure.
  • 114

    Trajan the Fighter

    Trajan leaves to fight on the Eastern Frontier of Italy.
  • 117

    Death of Trajan

    Trajan dies of poor health.
  • 117

    Hadrian's Reign

    Hadrian came into power after Trajan's death. Hadrian was married to Trajan's grand-niece.
  • Marcus Aurelius' Birth
    121

    Marcus Aurelius' Birth

    Marcus was born into a wealthy family.
  • Hadrian's Wall Construction
    122

    Hadrian's Wall Construction

    Hadrian began the construction of a wall to separate the Roman Empire and Britain, where the Barbarians were.
  • 132

    Jewish Revolt

    Jews begin to revolt against Hadrian because he had promised to allow them to build a temple. However, Hadrian later does not allow them to build their temple.
  • 138

    Hadrian's Death

    Hadrian’s death is said to be slow and very painful. His pain is believed to come from heart failure.
  • 138

    Antoninus Reign

    Antoninus became emperor after the death of Hadrian. Antoninus was not the son of Aurelius, but he became his adopted son and was able to get the throne.
  • 145

    Faustina Marries Aurelius

    This further secures Aurelius’ succession after Pius.
  • Celebration of Rome
    148

    Celebration of Rome

    For Rome’s 900th anniversary, many games were held in the Colosseum. Before the celebration, Antoninus even created coins with mythical creatures.
  • Death of Antoninus Pius
    161

    Death of Antoninus Pius

    Antoninus died of a possible fever. It is said he got the fever after eating cheese.
  • Period: 161 to 180

    Marcus Aurelius' Reign

    Marcus Aurelius became leader by marrying Faustina the Younger, daughter of Antoninus Pius.
  • 166

    Small Pox Outbreak

    After coming back from a victorious war, a small pox outbreak occurs. The next few months were primarily focused on finding solutions to the outbreak and the celebration was soon forgotten.
  • 169

    Invasion of Italy

    Barbarians invade Italy and Aurelius is forced to travel to the north frontier in order to push them far back into their land.
  • 180

    Marcus Aurelius' Death

    Aurelius dies of disease, but does not drink or eat food for days to speed up his death.