The Roman Empire

Roman Empire Begins

27

Octavius appoints himself "Augustus", which means the first emperor.

Colosseum is Built

80

The Colosseum was built in 80 AD. The completion of the Colosseum was celebrated with 100 days of games. The Romans invade Scotland.

Hadrian Wall is Built

122

The Hadrian Wall was built in 122 AD. It was a long wall built across northern England in an effort to keep the barbarians out.

Constantine Becomes Emperor in 306 AD

306

Rome becomes a Christian empire. Before this, Rome persecuted the Christians. Constantius dies. His son Constantine is the new vice-emperor of Galerius.

Christianity

380

Theodosius I proclaims Christianity as the sole religion of the Roman Empire in 380 AD.

Rome Splits

395

In 395 AD, Rome split into two empires - the Western Roman Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire. Each side had a ruler in charge of it. The Roman Empire was split by Theodosius.

The Visigoths Sack Rome

410

This was the first time in 800 years that the city of Rome has fallen to an enemy. It was a huge uproar.

End of the Western Roman Empire and the Fall of Ancient Rome

476

The last Roman Emperor Romulus Augustus is defeated by the German Goth Odoacer. This is the start of the Dark Ages in Europe.

The Roman Empire Ends

May 29, 1453

The Roman Empire comes to an end as it falls to the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Turks capture Constantinople in 1453 A.D. It is renamed Istanbul in 1930.