Roman Empire

The Empire Begins with Caesar Augustus

31 BCE

Octavian defeats Marc Antony in the Battle of Actium and takes power as the first emperor of Rome. He takes the name Caesar Augustus.

Annexation of Egypt

30 BCE

Egypt becomes a part of the Roman empire as an imperial province during Augustus's rule.

The Official End of the Republic

23 BCE

Augustus gains complete control of the Roman state as a result of the Senate's granting him the titles imperium proconsulare and tribunicia potestas.

Publication of the Aeneid

19 BCE

Virgil's Aeneid was published unfinished after his death despite his wishes to destroy it. He was commissioned to write it as an epic poem about the founding of Rome by Caesar Augustus.

Birth of Jesus

4 BCE

This date is very disputed. Scholars say the actual date could range from 6 BC - 2 BC. However, most agree that the actual year of Jesus's birth is not 0.

The Death of Augustus and the Beginning of Tiberius's Reign

14

Augustus died in 14 AD after ruling for 45 years. Upon his death, he was cremated and buried in Campus Martius with great fanfare. Tiberius, Augustus's heir, took power and continued Augustus's vision but lacked his predecessor's strength and power. It was suspected that Tiberius hastened Augustus's death through poisoning him.

Tiberius Moves to Capri

27

Tiberius was constantly afrais of insurrection. His most trusted companion and adviser was Sejanus. In 27 AD, he built twelve villas on Capri and moved there, allowing only Sejanus to visit him.

The Crucifixion of Jesus

30

Jesus was crucified under Pontius Pilate during the rule of Emperor Tiberius. Again, the exact date of his crucifixion is arguable, but most believe it happened either in 30 or 33 AD.

Tiberius Denounces Sejanus as a Traitor

31

While Tiberius was in Capri, Sejanus acted as empire. Realizing that Sejanus posed a threat to his power, Tiberius wrote a letter to the Senate proclaiming that Sejanus was a traitor. The Senate imprisoned Sejanus, and he was strangled there in 31 AD.

The Julian-Claudian Dynasty

Period: 31 to 69

During this time period, all of the empires came from the patrician families Julii or Claudii. The emperors during this time period include Caesar Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero.

The Death of Tiberius and the Beginning of Caligula's Reign

37

Tiberius was somewhat of a madman upon his death. He is believed to have been smothered with a pillow. Caligula is notorious for being depraved and insane. He is a member of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty. However, the beginning of his rule is seen as commendable.

Caligula Becomes Ill

38

After being emperor for only eight months, Caligula became ill and never fully recovered. He often referred to himself as a god and sometimes walked around dressed up as Bacchus, Venus, or Apollo. He even declared his favorite horse consul.

Caligula Launches Military Campaign into Gaul

39

Having exhausted all of Rome's wealth in his extravagant reign, Caligula led his military into Gaul for the purpose of extorting wealth by killing the richest citizens and confiscating their property.

The Death of Caligula and the Beginning of Claudius's Rule

41

Caligula was assassinated by the Praetorian Guard. Claudius then took over, and he expanded Rome's territory to Britain and completed many public works projects. Claudius was also a part of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty.

Claudius Invades Britain

43

In 43 AD, Claudius launched a military invasion of Britain. He visited some time later and returned having successfully completed the campaign.

Completion of the Claudian Aqueduct

52

The aqueducts were commissioned by Caligula in 38 AD. Upon Caligula's death, Claudius continued their construction. They were officially finished in 52 AD, but some records suggest they were in use by 47 AD.

The Death of Claudius and the Beginning of Nero's Reign

54

Claudius was assassinated by his wife Agrippina in cahoots with his son Nero, effectively ending his reign. Though he initially governed the empire well, Emperor Nero's reign is characterized by his manic behavior and intense persecution of Christians.

Boadicea Revolts

61

The British Queen, Boadicea, led the revolt against Roman rule in 61 AD during Nero's reign. They defeated several armies but eventually fell to Suetonius Paulinus and his troops. In that battle, 80,000 Britons died and Boadicea committed suicide.

The Great Fire of Rome

64

Fire broke out during the summer of 64 AD in the merchant sector of Rome, burning for 7 nights and destroying 70% of the city. Rumors spread that Emperor Nero was responsible for starting the fire and used Christians as a scapegoat. Rome was rebuilt into a more marvelous city full of innovative architecture and marble.

Nero Travels to Greece

67

Nero traveled to Greece in order to compete in the Olympic and Isthmian games. He competed in a singing contest, putting his superior competitors to death.

The Death of Nero and the Beginning of Galba's Reign

69

Nero committed suicide and ended the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Galba took over immediately following Nero's death.

The Death of Otho and Beginning of Vitellius's reign

69

Otho killed himself after losing in battle to Vitellius, and Vitellius came to power. Vitellius was known for his vices and often ignored his responsibility as emperor.

The Death of Vitellius and Beginning of Vespasian's reign

69

Vitellius was dragged into the Forum, tortured, killed and thrown into the Tiber by Vespasian's forces. Vespasian came to power and established the Flavian Dynasty, ending the Year of the Four Emperors.

Year of the Four Emperors

69

The year AD 69 was a time of civil war in which Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and finally Vespasian came to power with Vespasian's rule lasting 10 years.

Second Battle of Bedriacum

69

Vitellius was defeated by the legions supporting Vesparian in the Second Battle of Bedriacum in Italy during his reign.

Murder of Petronianus

69

Vitellius murdered his first son Petronianus in order to take his inheritance.

The Death of Galba and the Beginning of Otho's Reign

69

Seen as unfit to rule, Galba was assassinated by the Praetorian Guard. Otho took his place on the day of his death and was expected to be a good emperor.

The Death of Galba and the Beginning of Otho's Rule

69

Galba was assassinated soon after taking office by the Praetorian Guard because he proved unfit to rule, despite being chosen as Nero's successor. Otho, notorious comrade of Nero, took his place that very day.

Civil War Breaks Out

69

Renegade Roman legions in Germany declared Vitellius, their commander, as emperor. Otho gathered his legions and went to fight him, but was defeated. Otho committed suicide as a result.

Building of the Colosseum

70

Starting in 70 AD, Vaspasian raised enough public funds to build the Colosseum. His first goal as emperor was to restore stability to Rome, so he also built the Forum and the Temple of Peace.

Enlarging the Army

70

Vespasian enlarged Nero's previous army with four legions to three armies with a total of six legions.

The Death of Vespasian and the Beginning of Titus's reign

79

After Vespasian's death from illness in 79, his son Titus came to power. Titus was a part of the Flavian Dynasty who became a well-liked emperor with a mild government.

Eruption of Mount Vesuvius

79

During Titus's reign, Mount Vesuvius erupted and destroyed Herculaneum, Stabiae, and Pompeii. Titus donated much of his personal fortune to the needs of those affected.

The Death of Titus and the Beginning of Domitan's reign

81

When Titus died unexpectedly is 81 AD, his younger brother Domitian came to power. It is believed Domitian was the reason for Titus's death. He was a part of the Flavian Dynasty.

Finishing of the Colosseum

81

In 81 AD, the Colosseum was finished and Titus dedicated it; he held the first games in the Roman Colosseum that lasted for100 days.

Domitian's Dacian War

90

The Dacians were led into Moesia by King Decebalus which began the Dacian War and in 90 AD, the Romans were defeated.

The Reign of Terror

Period: 93 to 96

The Reign of Terror during Domitian's rule did not contain any more violence than the emperors before him; he gained a bad reputation through the poor relationship he had with the Senate and the multiple "Treason Trials" that ended in executions of previous consuls.

The Death of Domitian and the Beginning of Nerva's reign

96

After being assassinated by court officials in 96 AD, the Senate surprisingly chose Nerva, an old and childless man, to be the next emperor. He became the first of The Five Good Emperors.

The Five Good Emperors

Period: 96 to 192

The Five Good Emperors were Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius. They are called this because they were all well-respected and handled their government properly.

Imprisonment of Nerva

97

When a former Domitian supporter was placed in charge of the praetorian guards, Nerva was imprisoned until the executions of those responsible for the assassination of Domitian.

Adopting of Trajan

97

Because he had no children himself, Nerva had to find an heir to the throne. Trajan was well-respected by the army and the senate, and so at the end of October 97 AD, Nerva adopted Trajan, and his position was secured until his death in 98 AD.

The Death of Nerva and the Beginning of Trajan's reign

98

After Nerva died from sickness in 98 AD, his adopted son Trajan became emperor, and he was welcomed enthusiastically. He was the second of The Five Good Emperors.

The Second Battle of Tapae

101

In 101 AD, the Romans under Trajan defeated the Dacians in the Second Battle of Tapae.

Trajan's Column

113

In order to commemorate Trajan's defeat over the Dacians, his column was built and set up in the Forum, towering 98 ft. in height.

The Death of Trajan and the Beginning of Hadrian's reign

117

Trajan died from sickness in 117 AD. Some believe he did not pick a successor, and his wife forged that he had adopted Hadrian as his son, so he became the next emperor. His goal was to strengthen the existing Empire, not expand it. He was the third of the Five Good Emperors.

Hadrian's Journey

Period: 121 to 125

Due to his constant curiosity, Hadrian took a 4 year journey everywhere from Britain to Asia Minor to Athens, fixing problems and inspecting troops.

Hadrian's Wall

122

In 122 AD, Emperor Hadrian decided to build a wall in order to separate the Romans from the Barbarians. It now stands 73 miles long with varying heights.