The roman empire History Timeline and Biographies

27 BC

Establishment of the Roman Empire

The Roman Empire was officially established when Octavian, later known as Augustus, became the first Roman Emperor, marking the end of the Roman Republic and the beginning of imperial rule. This transition set the foundation for the empire's expansion and consolidation of power.

14 AD

Death of Augustus and Tiberius' Ascension

Upon the death of Augustus, Tiberius became the second emperor of the Roman Empire. His reign marked a period of relative stability known as the Pax Romana, which lasted for over two centuries.

64 AD

The Great Fire of Rome

A catastrophic fire swept through Rome, destroying much of the city. Emperor Nero controversially blamed the Christians for the fire, leading to widespread persecution and significant shifts in the Roman Empire's religious landscape.

117 AD

Height of the Roman Empire under Trajan

The Roman Empire reached its greatest territorial extent under Emperor Trajan. This expansion included the conquest of Dacia and parts of the Middle East, showcasing the empire's military might and administrative capabilities.

212 AD

Constitution Antoniniana

Emperor Caracalla issued the Edict of Caracalla, granting Roman citizenship to all free inhabitants of the Roman Empire. This significant move aimed to unify the diverse populations within the empire and increase tax revenue.

284 AD

Diocletian's Reforms and the Tetrarchy

Emperor Diocletian initiated a series of reforms to stabilize the Roman Empire, including the division of the empire into the Western and Eastern Roman Empires, governed by co-emperors, known as the Tetrarchy.

313 AD

Edict of Milan and Religious Freedom

The Edict of Milan, issued by Constantine the Great, granted religious tolerance throughout the Roman Empire, allowing Christianity to flourish and become a dominant faith within the empire.

330 AD

Foundation of Constantinople

Constantine the Great established Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) as the new capital of the Roman Empire, strategically located for trade and defense, marking a significant shift in the empire's center of power.

395 AD

Permanent Division of the Roman Empire

Upon the death of Theodosius I, the Roman Empire was permanently divided into the Western Roman Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire, setting the stage for their distinct historical paths.

410 AD

Sack of Rome by the Visigoths

The Visigoths, led by Alaric, sacked Rome, marking the first time in 800 years that the city had fallen to a foreign enemy. This event symbolized the decline of the Western Roman Empire.

476 AD

Fall of the Western Roman Empire

The deposition of the last Roman emperor, Romulus Augustulus, by the Germanic king Odoacer marked the official end of the Western Roman Empire, leading to the fragmentation of Western Europe into various kingdoms.

1453 AD

Fall of Constantinople and End of the Byzantine Empire

The fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks marked the end of the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire), concluding over a thousand years of Roman influence and control in the Mediterranean and beyond.

2024 AD

Legacy of the Roman Empire in Modern Society

The influence of the Roman Empire persists in contemporary law, governance, architecture, and language, with many modern institutions and legal systems tracing their roots back to the Roman Empire's innovations and practices.