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Start of Roman Republic
Augustus defeats Cleopatra and Mark Antony, and becomes the first emperor of Rome. Takes the title of "Augustus Ceasar". -
Pax Romana
After Augustus Ceasar becomes emperor, there was a time of peace, and no wars. It lasted from 27 BCE to 180 CE; almost two hundred years. -
Empire Expanded
Augutus Ceasar restored rome, and expanded it. Art and literature flourished, more trade improved economy, and he improved the way of life for the Romans. -
Marcus Aurelius
He was the last of five good emperors. He unified Rome economically, and expanded the milatary. His son Commodus was to follow him as emperor. -
Commodus
He started the eventual collapse of the Roman Empire. He was a corrupt leader and spent most of Rome's money on entertainment for himself. When short of money, he ordered the death of wealthy citizens, and took their money. He was assasinated in 142 CE. -
Collapse of Empire
A series of weak corrupt leaders weakened Rome. They had to pay soldiers, but they didn't have enough money, so their military became too small to protect such a large empire. This also lead to serious economic problems. -
Dicletian
He worked to strengthen Rome and to stop the decline. He made two major decisions. One was to split the empire into two different parts, the east and the west, and the other was to appoint a co-emperor, Maximus.He improved the tax system, and took steps to stop the economic decline of the empire. He finally gave up power in 305 CE. -
Constantine
He was a very strong general. He believes to have seen a sign from the christian god, and he had his soldiers put the symbol on their sheilds. He ended up winning battles using that symbol. He converted to christianity. He also signed a document, The Edict of Milan, which gave people the freedom of religion. He moved the capital of the empire to Constanople. He did many things to strengthen the empire, but in the end, it was not enough. -
Final collapse
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Germanic tribes, or barbarians, raided and looted Rome. They left Rome powerless. In 476 CE, the Ostrogoths lead the final attack on Rome, and the empire finally collapsed. -
Rise of Byzantine
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After the Roman Empire collapsed, the next strong empire rose, The Byzantine Empire. It lasted for over a thousand years.
