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The Etruscans ruled over the Romans and used them in wars. -
The Celts expanded dramatically across Europe and had become war-like. -
The Persians slew 20,000 Roman troops, took 10,000 prisoners, and killed Crassus to boot. That battle led to a grudging admiration on the part of the Romans, who were forced to acknowledge that they had finally met their match. -
Octavian said he only wanted to defeat Cleopatra and gained broader support. Antony and Cleopatra’s forces were already fairly scattered and weak due to a disastrous campaign against the Persians a few years earlier. -
Augustus claimed the title of tribune for life. This title gave him unlimited power in making or vetoing legislation. -
The Roman Empire reached its greatest size under the rule of Trajan. -
Supplies started drying up and prices rose; without the constant expansion of the empire, there were far fewer slaves available. This was the start of the fall of the Roman Empire. -
Emperor Caracalla extended citizenship to all free men and women (to make it easier to collect taxes). This was an important event because it extended Roman law to almost everyone in the empire. -
As the wars between Rome and Persia became even more destructive after the Sasanian takeover, the Arabs emerged as important mercenaries and political clients for both empires. -
Severus Alexander was the last Severan emperor. His death ushered in a terrible period of military defeat and instability.