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753 BCE
First King of Rome
Romulus became the first king of Rome after killing his brother Remus. He the gave the city it's name after his own. It is not completely known wether this is true or not, especially considering the Romans also believed that the two brothers were raised by a wolf. -
Period: 753 BCE to 509 BCE
Roman Monarchy
During these 244 years, Rome was ruled under a monarchy. This meant that a king had power, and when he wanted to give up power it would be passed to the next in his bloodline. It ended with Tarquin the Proud who ruled with an iron fist. -
716 BCE
Reign of Numa Pompilius
Though he was not related to Romulus in anyway, he was elected king of Rome by the Curiate Assembly after Romulus' death. Pompilius brought about peace and religious reform within Rome and did tons to increase the knowledge of Rome. -
672 BCE
Reign of Tullus Hostillius
Also was not related to the former king, but was elected king after Pompilius died. -
640 BCE
Reign of Ancus Marcius
He was the grandson of Numa Pompilius, but could not be king at the time due to his age. Also was elected by the Curiate Assembly. Like his grandfather he did his best to keep peace within Rome, he also built bridges other structures and Rome's first prison on Capitoline hill. -
616 BCE
Reign of Lucius Tarquinius Priscus
He was the first Truscan king, originally known as Lucumo. He was elected king by the Curiate Assembly due to the age of Marcius' sons at the time of his death. As king he carried out several successful conquests and used the profits to build things such as the Cloaca Maxima and the Circus Maximus. -
578 BCE
Reign of Servius Tullius
Tullius was affiliated with Priscus and became king after the sons of Marcius assassinated Priscus. At the time he claimed to be temporary king in the absence of Tullius. He conducted Rome's first census which he used to separate Rome into different areas. -
534 BCE
Reign of Lucius Tarquinius Superbus
Descendant of Priscus who became king after the assassination of Tullius, which he had a part in. He was given the nickname "Tarquin the Proud". He is known for his rule of Rome through fear and violence and he often was very disrespectful of Roman tradition. -
Period: 509 BCE to 31 BCE
Roman Republic
After overthrowing Tarquin the Proud, the citizens changed to a representative democracy, also known as a republic. Under this system officials were elected to a Senate where all the decision making was done. -
449 BCE
Laws of the Twelve Tables
One of the first sets of Roman laws that remained prevalent throughout the course of Roman History. -
312 BCE
Via Hapia
Rome built their first "highway" and named it Via Hapia. This was an important start to the greatness of the Roman Empire. -
218 BCE
Carthage Invasion
Hannibal leads Carthage in an invasion of Rome. Though in the end the invasion failed, Carthage controlled portions of what was Rome for a significant amount of time. -
59 BCE
Caesar's Consulship
At this time whenever Rome was in a time of war or disaster they would elect a temporary ruler, to control Rome by their self. At this time Julius Caesar was elected governor and from then until the end of his initial rule in 50 BCE Caesar expanded Rome's territory and conquered many foes. -
48 BCE
Caesar's Dictatorship
After defeating his former ally Pompey in a civil war Julius Caesar was declared emperor of Rome for several years. -
44 BCE
Dictator for Life
Though earlier before this the only way Caesar believed Rome could be reformed is if he had enough power to do so, it was not until 44 BCE that he was actually named dictator for life. -
44 BCE
Downfall of the Republic
On Caesar's way to a Senate session he was murdered by a group of over 60 Senators. When news spread to the middle and lower class that their beloved emperor was murdered by a group of aristocrats chaos broke out and the republic came crashing down. -
31 BCE
Pax Romana under Augustus
Caesar named Gaius Octavius, who later named himself Augustus, as his heir. Under Octavian's rule pax romana occurred. This was a period of peace within Rome between other nations and within Rome itself. He died in 14 CE. -
Period: 27 BCE to 476
Roman Empire
In the republic system one person would lead Rome in times of war, one person to do so was Julius Caesar . After defeating Pompey however ,Caesar declared himself dictator for life, and though he was murdered shortly after, it was the beginning of Rome's long lineage of Emperors. -
10
Rome the Superpower
In the first century CE, Rome became known as the world's first superpower. -
41
Reign of Claudius
After the rule of Augustus, Claudius became emperor of Rome. He was the great nephew of Augustus. -
54
Reign of Nero
Nero, the great nephew of Claudius, was a cruel king. In fact, it was believe that he burned own a whole town just to build a place just for himself. -
69
Reign of Vespasian
Vespasian brought the calm that was after the storm that was Nero. He filled in the lake that Nero had made where the town he burnt was and over it, he began building the Colosseum. -
80
Colosseum Complete
The Colosseum's construction was completed and fulfilled it's purpose of providing "bread and circuses"; it kept citizens peaceful and was a sense of unity and pride in Rome. -
98
Reign of Trajan
Trajan was also quite a good emperor in the opinion of most. He began a conquest to raise revenue 3 years into his rule. Later on, him and Apoladorus of Damascus built a city that greatly benefitted Rome with it's market building. -
112
Trajan's Market
Trajan's market was completed along with the city built by Trajan and Apollodorus. Trajan's market was a center of commerce in Rome and greatly aided the Roman economy. -
117
Reign of Hadrian
Hadrian also did good for Rome. Something he really improved was Rome's security. He is most known for Hadrian's wall which he built to occupy the lazy soldiers and keep out the barbarians in Britania.
