Ancient Rome 500 B.C. -500 A.D. By marpam1 264 264 B.C. First Punic War begins 476 A.D. 476 Western Roman Empire falls. Jan 1, 1931 31 B.C. Octavian defeats the forces of Antony and Cleopatra. Mar 2, 2022 509 B.C. Rome becomes a republic Mar 2, 2022 218 B.C. In the Second Punic War, Hannibal invades Italy Mar 2, 2022 A.D. 284 Diocletian becomes emperor of Rome.