-
800 BCE
The Latins migrated to Italy and settled along the Tiber river
Greek colonists to the south and the Etruscans in the north shared the peninsula. -
503 BCE
The Romans drove out the Etruscan rulers and started a republic
Laws were made by 300 landholding, upper-class patricians who made up the Senate. The Romans felt that a republic would prevent too much power from going to any one individual. -
264 BCE
Rome Fought the 3 Punic Wars
This was a fight against Carthage. Carthage ruled western Mediterranean Spain and North Africa. -
260 BCE
Romans Navy
During this time Rome won some key naval victory's as their military grew. -
237 BCE
The second Punic War breaks out in Spain
In 237 BC Hamilcar Barca established new settlements in Spain
He died, -
96 BCE
Nerva
Became emperor in 96 AD after Domitian’s assassination. Granted amnesty to all persecuted by Domitian. Improved roads and aqueducts. He adopted Trajan as his son and died in 98 AD of a stroke -
58 BCE
Julius Caesar led his army into Gaul.
A brilliant military leader, Caesar was feared by other generals after his success. When the Senate ordered Caesar to disband his army, he instead led them across the Rubicon River and marched on Rome. -
44 BCE
Caesar was stabbed
In March 44 B.C., Caesar was stabbed by his
rivals, leading again to civil war. -
14
Octavian was given the title Augustus,
He ruled until 14 A.D., ending the republic but creating a stable government. -
64
Nero
Known for being evil/insane. Built many projects at the expense of the people. Rumored to have burned down Rome in 64AD Blamed Christians and began full-scale Christian persecution. -
66
The Zealots called for revolt against Rome.
Many believed that God would soon send a messiah, an anointed king, who would lead them to freedom from Rome. In A.D. 66, discontent turned into open rebellion against Rome. In A.D. 70, Rome crushed the uprising and burned the Jewish temple in Jerusalem. -
99
Trajan
Became emperor in 99 ADHe ruled by example and not by fear Conquered the Dacians Built columns, arches, bridges, and roads
Instituted the alimenta (welfare) Allowed Christians to practice He adopted Hadrian as his son and died in 117 AD -
117
Hadrian
Became emperor in 117 AD 12 years away from Rome Traveled with the soldiers and ate with them Rebuilt the Pantheon Hadrian’s Wall Destruction of Jerusalem He adopted 51 (!!!) year old Antoninus Pius and died in 138 AD -
161
Antoninus Pius
Chosen only because Hadrian’s second choice was too young Repaired the Colosseum Celebrated the 900th anniversary of Rome Supported the enfranchisement of slaves He dies in 161 AD after eating some cheese -
284
In 284, Emperor Diocletian set out to restore order in the empire.
He appointed a co-emperor, Maximian, and divided the empire in half to ease administration. Maximian ruled the western provinces while Diocletian retained the wealthier eastern provinces. To curb inflation he fixed prices on many goods and services. Sons were required to follow their father’s occupation and farmers to remain on their land. -
312
In 312 Emperor Constantine took the throne and altered Europe’s future.
He issued the Edict of Milan granting religious toleration to Christians. Christianity would later become the official religion of the empire. He made Byzantium his capital, renaming it Constantinople. This “New Rome” shifted the center of power to the eastern empire. -
312
CONSTANTINE’S CONVERSION
IN 312 AD THE EMPEROR CONSTANTINE WAS GETTING READY FOR A BATTLE. HE SAW A VISION OF A CROSS THAT SAID HE WOULD WIN. HE BELIEVED JESUS HELPED HIM WIN.
CONSTANTINE ORDERED ALL PERSECUTION TO STOP AND HE BECAME A CHRISTIAN. -
313
Under the Emperor Constantine, the persecution of Christians ended.
In A.D. 313 the Edict of Milan granted freedom of worship to citizens of the Roman empire. By the end of the century, Emperor Theodosius made Christianity the official religion of Rome. In time a church bureaucracy arose alongside that of the empire. -
476
Long before the Roman emperor actually surrendered to Germanic invaders in 476, Rome had been in decline.
The Goths, Huns, and Vandals had already overrun much of the western empire.
