Foundation of Rome
According to legend, Rome was founded by Romulus on April 21, 753 BC. This event marks the beginning of the Roman Era, setting the stage for the future growth of one of history's most influential civilizations.
753 BC
509 BC
Establishment of the Roman Republic
In 509 BC, the last king of Rome, Tarquin the Proud, was overthrown, leading to the establishment of the Roman Republic. This shift from monarchy to a republic marked a significant change in governance and laid the groundwork for Roman law and political structures that would influence future governments.
390 BC
Sack of Rome by the Gauls
In 390 BC, the Gauls invaded and sacked Rome, a pivotal event that highlighted the vulnerabilities of the early Roman Republic and prompted reforms in the military and city defenses, shaping the future of the Roman Era.
264-146 BC
The Punic Wars
The series of conflicts known as the Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage (264-146 BC) were critical in establishing Rome as a dominant Mediterranean power. The wars culminated in the destruction of Carthage and expanded Roman territory significantly during the Roman Era.
49 BC
Julius Caesar Crosses the Rubicon
In 49 BC, Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon River, igniting a civil war that ultimately led to the end of the Roman Republic. This bold act signaled a turning point in the Roman Era, leading to Caesar's dictatorship and the eventual rise of the Roman Empire.
27 BC
Establishment of the Roman Empire
In 27 BC, Octavian (later known as Augustus) became the first Roman Emperor, marking the transition from the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire. This event initiated the Pax Romana, a period of relative peace and stability across the empire that lasted for over two centuries.
AD 14
Death of Augustus and Succession of Tiberius
Augustus died in AD 14, leading to the succession of Tiberius as the second emperor of Rome. This transition marked a significant moment in the continuity of the Roman Era, impacting governance and imperial policies.
AD 64
Great Fire of Rome
The Great Fire of Rome in AD 64 devastated much of the city, leading to significant changes in urban planning and architecture. Emperor Nero's controversial response to the disaster had lasting effects on the political landscape of the Roman Era.
AD 117
Height of Roman Territorial Expansion
By AD 117, during the reign of Emperor Trajan, the Roman Empire reached its greatest territorial extent, stretching from Britain to the Middle East. This expansion exemplified the power and influence of the Roman Era on the ancient world.
AD 212
The Constitution Antoniniana, issued in AD 212 by Emperor Caracalla, granted Roman citizenship to all free men within the empire. This decree significantly altered the social and political landscape of the Roman Era, promoting a sense of unity across diverse populations.
AD 284
Diocletian's Reforms and Division of the Empire
In AD 284, Emperor Diocletian initiated significant reforms to stabilize the Roman Empire, including dividing it into the Eastern and Western Roman Empires. This division marked a critical moment in the late Roman Era, influencing future governance and administration.
AD 313
The Edict of Milan, issued in AD 313 by Emperors Constantine and Licinius, granted religious tolerance to Christians and marked a pivotal shift in the Roman Era, leading to the eventual establishment of Christianity as a dominant religion within the empire.
AD 395
In AD 395, upon the death of Emperor Theodosius I, the Roman Empire was permanently divided into the Eastern and Western Roman Empires. This division had profound implications for the future of the Roman Era and the subsequent development of European history.
AD 476
The fall of the Western Roman Empire in AD 476, marked by the deposition of the last emperor, Romulus Augustulus, is often considered the end of the Roman Era. This event signified the transition to the Middle Ages and the fragmentation of Roman authority in the West.
