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100
The Battle of Marathon
Rome490BC
In September Persian armada of 600 ships disgorged an invasion force of approximately 20,000 infantry and cavalry on Greek soil just north of Athens. Their mission was to crush the Greek states in retaliation for their support of their Ionian cousins who had revolted against Persian rule. The Persians lost but, the remaining Persians escaped on their ships and made an attempt to attack what they thought was an undefended Athens. -
101
The Suicide of Socrates
Rome399BC
The philosopher Socrates stood before a jury of 500 of his fellow Athenians accused of "refusing to recognize the gods recognized by the state" and of "corrupting the youth." If found guilty; his penalty could be death. Found guilty, the philosopher was taken to the near-by jail where his sentence would be carried out. Athenian law prescribed death by drinking a cup of poison hemlock. Socrates would be his own executioner. -
102
Speech of Alexander the Great
Rome356BC
Alexander is telling his warriors that his ancestor is Hercules, and that he has been right next to his warriors throung thick and thin, and therfore his land and his cnquests are truely theirs not only his but theirs to share together. -
103
Alexander Defeats The Persians
Rome331BC
When the armies drew near each other, Darius and the men especially around him were observed opposite Alexander himself and his royal squadron of cavalry. Alexander led his own army more towards the right, and the Persians marched parallel along with him, far outflanking him upon their left. Alexander won and chased down fleeing foes. Of Alexander's men about 100 were killed and more than 1000 of his horses; either from wounds or exhausted in the pursuit. 300,000 Barbarians were killed. -
104
The Druids
Rome54BC
The ancient Druids were members of the priestly class of the Celtic society that originated in Britain and migrated to what is now central France. The Druids occupied a revered social status among the Celts due to their service to the community as priests, teachers, diviners, and magicians. Two of the significant attributes of the Celtic religion were the veneration of the oak tree and the ritual of human sacrifice in ceremonies supervised by the Druids. -
105
Julius Caesar Crosses the Rubicon
Rome49BC
Caesar was staying in the northern Italian city of Ravenna and he had a decision to make. Either he acquiesced to the Senate's command or he moved southward to confront Pompey and plunge the Roman Republic into a bloody civil war. An ancient Roman law forbade any general from crossing the Rubicon River and entering Italy proper with a standing army. To do so was treason. This tiny stream would reveal Caesar's intentions and mark the point of no return. -
106
The Assassination of Julius Caesar
Rome44BC
Caesar continued to consolidate his power and in February 44 BC, he declared himself dictator for life. This act, along with his continual effort to adorn himself with the trappings of power, turned many in the Senate against him. Sixty members of the Senate concluded that the only resolution to the problem was to assassinate Caesar, and they did using Brutus as the one who literally stabbed Ceasar in the back. -
107
Cleopatra Seduces Marc Antony
Rome41BC
The Parthian Empire located in modern-day Iraq posed a threat to Antony's eastern territory and he planned a military campaign to subdue them. But Antony needed money to put his plan into action and he looked to Cleopatra - ruler of Egypt and the richest woman in the world - to supply it. In 41 BC he summoned Cleopatra to meet him in the city of Tarsus in modern-day Turkey. Cleopatra was seductive, and used this talent to gain more power and control. -
110
Nero Persecutes The Christians
Rome64AD
Christianity had reached Rome in the form of an obscure offshoot of Judaism popular among the city's poor and destitute. Members of this religious sect spoke of the coming of a new kingdom and a new king. These views provoked suspicion among the Jewish authorities and fear among the Roman authorities who perceived these sentiments as a threat to the Empire. In order to deflect the accusations of the Burning of Rome, Nero laid blame on the Christians, who were then horrifically executed. -
111
The Romans Destroy the Temple in Jerusalem
Rome70AD
The Roman legions surrounded the city and began to slowly squeeze the life out of the Jewish stronghold. By the year 70, the attackers had breached Jerusalem's outer walls and began a systematic ransacking of the city. The assault culminated in the burning and destruction of the Temple that served as the center of Judaism. -
112
The Destruction of Pompeii
Rome79AD
Mount Vesuvius literally blew its top, spewing tons of molten ash, pumice and sulfuric gas miles into the atmosphere. A "firestorm" of poisonous vapors and molten debris engulfed the surrounding area suffocating the inhabitants of the neighboring Roman resort cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabiae. Tons of falling debris filled the streets until nothing remained The cities remained buried and undiscovered for almost 1700 years until excavation began in 1748. -
113
Hadrian
Rome117AD
A man of remarkable and varied genius, although not always of just and even temperament, seemed anxious to conceal the real despotism of his government by the enlightened use of his power. No new conquests were made, but many internal reforms were executed. Hadrian also was a great traveler, and spent much of his reign going up and down his vast empire, heaping benefits upon the communities with which he sojourned. -
114
The Fall of Rome
Rome Video455AD
Rome falling was led by many different things all at once but can widely be brought back to its corrupt government. In 455AD the western half of Rome fell after the mercinaries roe hired went unpaid and decided to sack Rome, the ultimate time believed to be the Fall of Rome. -
Gladiators
Rome50AD
The spectacle of gladiatorial combat was initiated by wealthy Romans over 250 years before the birth of Christ as a part of the ceremonies held to honor their deceased relatives. Later, these games became separate events sponsored by Rome's leading citizens in order to enhance their prestige. With the decline of the republic and the rise of the empire, gladiator games were appropriated by the emperor. The primary purpose of these life-or-death duels was to entertain the people of Rome. -
The Burning of Rome
Rome64AD
During the night of July 18, 64 AD, fire broke out in the merchant area of the city of Rome. Fanned by summer winds, the flames quickly spread through the dry, wooden structures of the Imperial City. Soon the fire took on a life of its own consuming all in its path for six days and seven nights. When the conflagration finally ran its course it left seventy percent of the city in smoldering ruins.From the ashes of the fire rose a more spectacular Rome. A city made of marble and stone.
