How did Rome go from monarchy, to republic, to empire and then fall?

Summary

Period: 500 BCE to 500

Rome changed from a monarchy to a republic because the lower classes were not getting any representation and there were several uprisings against the kings. The republic was also unsuccessful because the wealthy were still in control and they could not organize the people or their government. There was a lot of internal conflict before dictators were assassinated and an emperor was appointed. The empire survived until attacks of barbarians destroyed its already fragile state.

Conflict of the Orders

494 BCE

Plebeians officially began to revolt against patricians' rule. Kings had already been other-thrown and aristocratic members of Rome held all the power. At the time, Plebeians were not allowed to have any political or marry patricians, they were nearly powerless and this generated lots of conflict.

(Start of) Punic Wars

264 BCE

The Punic Wars were a series of battles that the Greek fought against the Romans. The wars ended in Rome's victory and the Roman Empire grew and included a portion of northern Africa. The Empire was in its early stages and already stronger than the republic.

Republic's First Political Murder

133 BCE

Tiberius Gracchus tried to empower plebeians through socialist approaches and was hated by the Roman Senate. He was beaten to death by members of the senate and greater unrest broke out in the republic. Internal conflict was a major factor in the downfall of the republic.

Sulla's Second Civil War

88 BCE

This civil war divided Rome once again, and Sulla rose victorious over Marius. Sulla was named Dictator again but it weakened the republic.

Caesar Fights Pompey

49 BCE

Caesar crossed the Rubicon and turned his army against the Roman Senate and Pompey, initiating a civil war. War within a country tests its strength and the Republic was beginning to fail.

Caesar's Assassination

44 BCE

Caesar's assassinations led to another shift in power and caused a civil war as the Second Triumvirate avenged his death. Eventually, Augustus was chosen by the Senate to be the first emperor of the Roman Empire.

Last War of the Roman Republic

31 BCE

Octavian believed that Antony was going to entrust his power to his children with Cleopatra, and he saw that as a threat. Octavian declared war and eventually Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide after their forces were depleted. This would lead to the rise of Octavian (Augustus) and he would be named the first emperor.

(Start of) Five Good Emperors

96

In the Roman Empire, there was a span of time when the Five Good Emperors ruled and strengthened the empire. Under their rule, the empire expanded and thrived.

(Approximate Time) Economic Issues

200

Throughout all of Rome's history, there has been a heavy reliance on slave labor and this caused several problems. Poor Romans were having difficulty finding employment and this caused a lot of conflict. After some time, the Romans could no longer afford to wage war on other nations and acquire more slaves and the economy severely faltered. Rome could not afford to provide for its people or defend their borders, making it vulnerable to barbarian forces.

Odoacer Invasion

476

Odoacer, or Odovacar, had finally overtaken Rome after several sacks of the city. Germanic forces had posed a severe threat for many years, but after the invasion in 476, there would never be another Roman emperor.