1200 beginning of the first iron age. The Prisci
Latini migrate to Italy from the Danube region.
c. 1000 Latins settle in Latium
c.1000 Beginning of Etruscan migrations into Italy
10th century bc first settlement on the Palatine Hill on the future
site of Rome
753
foundation of the city of Rome (according to Varro)
c. 750 Beginning of Greek colonization in Italy: foundation of
Ischia, Cumae (754), Naxos in Sicily (735), Syracuse (c.734)
c. 700 Etruscan civilization begins to flourish
753-716 Rule of Romulus
c. 750-670 Septimonium: union of settlers of Palatine, Cermalus,
Velia, Fagutal, Cuspius, Oppius and Caelius
715-674 Reign of Numa Pompilius
673-642 Reign of Tullius Hostilius. Destruction of Alba Longa.
c. 650 Etruscan expansion into Campania
642-617 Reign of Ancus Marcius. Extension of Rome's power to
the coast.
c. 625 historical founding of Rome
616-579 Reign of L. Tarquinius Priscus. Forum drained.
578-535 Reign of Servius Tullius. Treaty with Latins.
535-510 Reign of L. Tarquinius Superbus. Erection of the
Capitoline Temple. Treaty with Gabii. Roman territory extended to ca. 350 square
miles.
510
Downfall of the last Tarquinian king, Tarquinius Superbus. Brutus liberates
Rome. Establishment of a republic headed by two magistrates (later called
consuls) elected annually.
509
Treaty between Rome and Carthage
507
Consecration of the Temple of Jupiter on the Capitol
504
Migration of the Sabine Claudii clan to Rome
501
Appointment of the first dictator
496
Battle of Lake Regilus between Rome and Latin League
494
First secession of the plebeians on the Mons Sacer, several miles from
Rome. Creation of the tribunes of the people.
493
Treaty with the Latins
491
Coriolanus impeached and condemned to exile
486
Wars with the Aequi and Volsci begin (continue with many intervals for the next
fifty years)
482-474 War with Veii
479
Veii wins the Battle of Cremera
474
The Greek city-states in Italy win a naval battle at Cumae and crush Etruscan
power in Campania
471
Creation of the concilium Plebis. Office of the tribunes officially recognized
457
Aequi win attle at Mt. Algidus. Cincinnatus becomes dictator for sixteen days
and rescues remaining Roman army
c. 451 Decemvirs tyrants of Rome. Code of the Twelve Tables
lays the basis for Roman law
449
Fall of the decemvirs. Powers of the tribunes defined.
447
Quaestors elected by the people
443
Censorship established
431
Decisive defeat of the Aequi at Mt. Algidus
428
Rome conquers Fidenae (from Veii)
421
Quaestors increased to four, open to plebeians
c. 396 The Roman dictator Camillus conquers Veii, one of the
principal Etruscan centers, after long siege. Introduction of military pay.
Peace with the Volsci.
390
(or 387!) Romans defeated by the Gauls under Brennus at the Battle of Allia.
Gauls sack Rome, only the Capitol is defended by the citizenry
388
Aequi defeated at Bola
386-5 Latins, Volsci and Hernici defeated
381
Tusculum conquered
c. 378 Erection of the Roman city wall traditionally but
erroneously credited to King Servius Tullius, who reigned two centuries earlier
377
Latins defeated after their capture of Satricum
367
Lex Liciniae Sextiae: Consulship restored, plebeians admitted to the
office of consul
366
First plebeian consul
361
Romans capture Ferentinum
359
Revolt of Tarquinii
358
Treaty with Latins
357
Maximum amount of interest fixed. Falerii revolts. Gauls raid Latium.
356
First plebeian dictator
354
Alliance of Rome and Samnites
353
Caere defeated
351
First plebeian censor
349
Gallic raid checked
346
Defeat of Antium and Satricum
348
Treaty with the Carthaginians
343-1 First Samnite War, Romans occupy northern Campania
340-338 Latin War: Rome conquers the seaport of Antium
338
Latin League dissolved. Many cities granted full or partial citizenship
337
First plebeian praetor
334
Alexander of Macedon begins his eastward campaign
332
Treaty with Tarentum (possibly 303 BC)
c. 330 Colony founded at Ostia
329
Privernum captured
328
Etruria and Campania annexed
326-304 Second Samnite War: Rome increases its influence in
southernmost Italy
321
Samnites entrap and defeat Roman army at Caudine Forks. Romans forced to accept
a truce. Rome surrenders Fregellae
c. 320 Colonies founded: Luceria (314, Canusium (318), Alba
Fucens (303), Carsioli (298), Minturnae (296), Sinuessa (296), thus extending
Roman sway into Apulia, the Abruzzi, and southern Italy
315
Luceria captured. Samnite victory at Lautulae. Capua revolts and joins Samnites
314
Roman victory at Tarracina. Capua conquered
313
Fregellae and Sora captured
312
Censorship of Appius Claudius. Via Appia, connecting Rome and Capua, and Aqua
Appia begun
310
Treaties with Cortona, Perusia and Arretium
307
Revolt of Hernici
306
Anagnia conquered and granted limited citizenship
304
Aequi defeated. Under the censor Fabius Maximus Rullianus landless new citizens
are assigned to four tribes in the city
300
Lex Ogulnia: plebeians admitted to priestly offices
298-290 Third Samnite War: Rome becomes all-powerful in
southern Italy
298
Rome captures Bovanium Vetus and Aufidena
295
Roman victory over Samnites, Gauls and Umbirnas at Sentinum
294
Samnite victory at near Luceria
293
Roman victory over Samnites at Aquilona
292
Falerii conquered
291
Venusia conquered
290
The Sabines submit to Roman rule and receive limited citizenship. Peace with
Samnites.
287
Lex Hortensia: conflict between social orders placated by conceding same
voting rights to all
283
Boii defeated at Lake Vadimo
282
Rome conquers territory still held by the Gauls along the Adriatic, Roman Fleet
attacked by Tarentum
280-275 War against king Phyrrus of Epirus
280
Phyrrus lands in Italy and defeats Romans at Heraclea
279
Roman defeat at Battle of Asculum
278
Roman treaty with Carthage. Pyrrhus leaves Italy for Sicily.
275
Pyrrhus returns to Italy but is defeated near Malventum and leaves Italy for
good.
272
Surrender of Tarentum
270
Capture of Rhegium
269
Earliest Roman minting of coins
268
Picentes conquered and granted limited citizenship
267
War with Sallentini. Capture of Brundisium
266
Apulia and Messapia reduced to alliance
264
Introduction of gladiatorial shows in Rome. Capture of Volsinii. roman alliance
with Mamertines.
264-241 First Punic War: Rome comes to the defence of the Greek
cities in Sicily against Carthage
263
Hiero of Syracuse becomes ally of Romei
262
Capture of Agrigentum
261-260 Rome builds fleet
260
Naval virtoy of MylaeCapture of Rhegium
259
Roman occupation of Corsica
257
Naval victory of Tyndaris
256
Naval victory of Ecnomus. Romans land in Africa
255
Romans defeated in Africa. Naval victory off Cape Hermaeum. Fleet wrecked off
Pachynus
254
Capture of Panormus
253
Roman fleet wrecked of Palinurus
250
Victory at Panormus. Siege of Lilybaeum
249
Carthaginian naval victory at Drepana
247
Hamilcar Barca begins Carthaginian offensive in western Sicily
241
Naval victory off Aegates Insulae. Peace with Carthage. Occupation of Sicily
which is made a Roman province. Construction of the Via Aurelia from Rome to
Pisa
238
Romans oust Carthaginians from Sardinia and Corsica
237
Hamilcar goes to Spain
236
Gallic raids in northern Italy
230
Hasdrubal succeeds Hamilcar in Spain
229
First Illyrian War Roman influence established on Illyrian coast
226
Treaty defining river Iberus (Ebro) as border of influence between Rome and
Carthage
225-222 Celtic War: conquest of Cisalpine Gaul
225
Invading Gauls defeated at Telamon
223
Flaminius defeats insubres
222
Battle of Clastidium. Surrender of Insubres
221
Hannibal succeeds Hasdrubal in Spain
220
Censorship of Flaminius. Via Flaminia begun
219
Second Illyrian War. Conquest of Illyria. Hannibal captures Saguntum.
218-201 Second Punic War
218
Hannibal crosses Alps and arrives in northern Italy. Battle of Ticinus and
Battle of Trebia.
217
Roman defeat at Lake Trasimene. Naval victory off river Iberus (Ebro)
216
Roman defeat at Cannae. Capua revolts.
215
Hannibal in southern Italy. Alliance of Carthage with Philip of Macedon and with
Syracuse after death of Hiero. Hasdrubal defeated at Dertosa.
214-205 First Macedonian War
213
Hannibal occupies Tarentum (except for the citadel). Roman siege of Syracuse.
212
Siege of Capura
211
Introduction of the denarius coin. Hannibal's march on Rome. Fall of
Capua and Syracuse. Defeat of the Scipios in Spain.
210
Fall of Agrigentum. Scipio lands in Spain.
209
Recapture of Tarentum. Capture of Carthago Nova.
208
Death of Marcellus. Battle of Baecula.
207
Hasdrubal defeated at Metaurus
206
Battle of Ilipa near Seville: Carthaginian rule collapses in Spain
205
Scipio in Sicily.
204
Cult stone of the mother goddess brought from Asia Minor to Rome. Scipio lands
in Africa.
203
Scipio defeats Syphax and wins battle of the Great Plains. Hannibal recalled to
Carthage. Mago defeated in Gaul.
202
Scipio's victory at Zama. Rome succeeds Carthage as ruler of the western
Mediterranean. Aggressions of Philip and Antiochus.
200-197 Second Macedonian War
197
Macedonians war ends with defeat of Philip V by T. Quinctius Flamininus at
Cynoscephalae. Spain organized into two provinces. Revolt of Turdenati in Spain.
Antiochus occupies Ephesus.
196
Marcus Porcius Cato consul
195
Hannibal exiled, joins Antiochus. Masinissa starts raids on Carthaginian
territoty.
192-188 Rome wars against King Antiochus II of Seleucia
191
Antiochus defeated at Thermopylae. Antiochus' fleet defeated off Corycus.
190
The Scipios in Greece. Antiochus' fleet defeated.
189
Antiochus defeated at Magnesia, Campanians enrolled as citizens. Fall of
Ambracia. Peace with Aetolia. Manlius raids Galatia/
188
Peace of Apamea means end of war with Antiochus
187
Construction of Via Aemilia and Via Flaminia
184
Cato censor.
184/3 Death of Scipio
183/2 Death of Hannibal
181-179 First Celtiberian War
179
Accession of Perseus to the throne of Macedon
172
Two plebeian consuls in office for the first time
171-168 Third Macedonian War
168
Defeat of Macedonian King Perseus at Pydna
167
Epirus plundered. Macedon divided into four parts, Illyricum into four.
157-155 Campaigns in Dalmatia and Pannonia
154-138 Lusitanian War
153-151 Second Celtiberian War
151
Carthage declares war on Masinissa
149-146 Third Punic War
149
Siege of Carthage begun. Rising of Andriscus in Macedonia.
147
Scipio aemilianus takes Carthage. Macedonia annexed as a Roman province
146
Destruction of Carthage. Africa annexed as a province. Achaean War: Rome wars
against the league of Greek cities. Corinth destroyed by the Romans
143-133 Third Celtiberian War (also called Numantine War)
142
Censorship of Scipio Aemilianus. Stone bridge over the Tiber.
137
Defeat and surrender of Mancinus in Spain
135-132 Slave War in Sicily
134
Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus becomes people's tribune in the absence of the
Consul Scipio Aemilianus. His assassination in 133 sparks open class conflict in
Rome
133
King Attalus II bequeaths Pergamum by Testament to Rome. Scipio Aemilianus sacks
Numantia and settles Spain.
129
Death of Scipio Aemilianus. Province of Asia organized.
124
War against Arverni and Allobroges in Gaul
123
First tribunate of Gaius Gracchus
122
Second tribunate of Gaius Gracchus
121
Civil disorder in Rome. Gaius Gracchus killed. Many followers of the Gracchi are
executed. Defeat of the Arverni and Allobroges. Gallia Narbonensis becomes a
Roman province.
119
Marius tribune. Abolition of the Gracchan and commission.
116
Senatorial commission despatched to Numidia to mediate on succession.
113-101 Cimbri and Teutones invade Roman territories
113
Cn. Carbo defeated at Noreia by the Cimbri
112-106 Jughurtine War
112
Jugurtha sacks Cirta. War declared on Jughurta.
110
War in Africa.
109
Metellus gains some successes against Jughurta
107
Marius elected consul, succeeds Metellus for command in Africa and captures
Capsa. Cassius defeated by Tigurini in Gaul.
106
Birth of Cicero and Pompey. Marius advances into western Numidia. Bocchus of
Mauretania surrenders Jughurta to Sulla.
105
Cimbri and Teutones destroy Roman armies at Arausio.
104-100 Second Sicilian slave war.
104
Marius consul second time, reorganizes Roman army.
103
Marius consul third time. Land allotments for Marius' veterans. Marius trains
army in Gaul.
102
Marius consul fourth time, defeats Teutones near Aquae Sextiae
(Aix-en-Provence). M. Antonius sent to Cilicia to deal with pirates.
101
Marius consul fifth time. Marius and Catullus defeat Cimbri at Vercellae
(Vercelli).
100
Marius consul sixth time. Rioting in Rome. Marius restores order. Birth of
Julius Caesar.
98
Marius leaves Rome for Asia. Revolt in Lusitania
96
Ptolemy Aion bequeaths Cyrene to Rome by testament
95
Mithridates ordered out of Paphlagonia and Cappadocia.
91-89 Social War between Rome and its Italian allies
90
Roman setbacks in Social War. Lex Julia: Latins, Etruscans, and Umbrians
remaining loyal to Rome are given Roman citizenship.
89-85 Fisrt Mithridatic War. - War with Mithridates VI of
Pontus over his territorial ambitions.
89
Victories of Strabo and Sulla. Lex Plautia Papiria: Roman citizenship
conceded to all allies south of the Po.
88
Proposal to transfer command in Asia from Sulla to Marius by tribune Sulpicius
Rufus. Sulla seizes Rome. Mithridates overruns Asia Minor.
87
Cinna and Marius in control of Rome, massacre Sulla's supporters. Sulla lands in
Greece and besieges Athens.
87-84 Consulships of Cinna
86
Marius consul seventh time, dies. Sulla conquers Athens, defeat Mithridates
armies at Chaeronea and Orchomenus.
85
Treaty of Dardanus with Mithridates.
84
Cinna killed. Carbo sole consul.
83-82 Second Mithridatic War
83
Sulla lands in Italy. Murena begins Second Mithridatic War
82
Civil War in Italy. Sulla victorious. Proscribtions in Rome. Sertorius leaves
for Spain. Pompeu crushes Sulla's opponents in Sicily.
81
Sulla dictator. Constiturional reforms. Pompey defeats Marians in Africa.
Sertorius driven out of Spain.
80
Sertorius lands in Spain again.
79
Sulla resigns dictatorship. Sertorius defeats Metellus Pius
78
Death of Sulla. P.Servilis starts three year campaign against pirates
77
Pompey oppointed against Sertorius
76
Sertorius victorious against Metellus and Pompey
75/74 Death of Nicomededs who bequeaths Bithynia to Rome
74-64 Third Mithradatic War
74
Cyrene made Roman province. M. Antonius given commmand against the pirates.
Mithridates invades Bithynia; Lucullus sent against him. 73-71 Third
Slave War
73
Rising of Spartacus at Capua. Lucullus relievesCyzicus, defeats Mithridates.
72
successes of Spartacus. Assassination of Sertorius. Pompey victorious in Spain.
Lucullus campaigns against Mithridates in Pontus. M.Antonius defeated by pirates
of Crete.
71
Crassus defeats Spartacus. Lucullus defeats Mithridates, who flees to king
Tigranes of Armenia.
70
First consulship of P{ompey and Crassus. Restoriation of tribunician powers
(suppressed by Sulla). Birth of Virgil
69
Lucullus invades Armenia, captures its capital Tigranocerta
68
Mithridates returns to Pontus. Discontent in Lucullus army.
67Pompey handed command against pirates. Pompey clears
pirates from the Mediterranean.
66
Pompey given command against Mithridates, who is finally defeated. Pompey
campaigns in Caucasus. Birth of Horace.
64
Pompey annexes Syria
63
Cicero consul. Caesar elected pontifex maximus. Seizure of Jerusalem by
Pompey. Cataline Conspiracy. Death of Mithridates. Birth of Octavian.
62
Defeat and death of Catalina. Pompey settles matters in the east, returns to
Italy and disbands his army.
61
Caesar governor of Further Spain. Revolt of the Allobroges. Aedui appeal to
Rome.
60
Caesar returns from Spain, first triumvirate between Casesar, Crassus and
Pompey.
59
Caesar consul. Pompey marries Caesar's daughter Julia. Caesar given consulship
of Cisapline Gaul and Illyricum; senate adds Transalpine Gaul to this.
58-51 Caesar's campaigns in Gaul
58
Tribunate of Clodius - corn law. cicero exiled. Cyprus annexed. Caesar defeats
Helvetii and Ariovistos
57
Clodius and Milo riot in Rome. Return of Cicero. Caesar defeats Nervii and other
Belgae
56
Conference of the triumvirs at Luca.
55
Second consulship of Crassus and Pompey. First stone theatre of Rome, built by
Pompey on the Campus Martius. Caesar bridges the Rhine, invades Germany, then
Britain.
54
Pompey, near Rome, governs Spain through legates. Death of Julia. Caesar's
second expedition to Britain. revolt in north eastern Gaul. Crassus prepares for
Parthian campaign.
53
Rioting in Rome. Battle of Carrhae: Roman army defeated by the Parthians,
Crassus killed, the Roman army standards taken as booty
52
Milo kills Clodius. Trial of Milo. Pompey sole consul. Revolt of Vercingetorix
in Gaul. Siege of Alesia, Caesar victorious.
51
Parthian invasion of Syria
49-45 Civil War - Julius Caesar fighting the Pompeians
49
On January 10 Caesar crosses the Rubicon and marches on Rome in defiance of the
Senate. Pompey leaves for Greece. Caesar dictator fir first time, for eleven
days, passes emergency legislation. Caesar in Spain, defeats Pompeians.
48-47 Caesar becomes involved in Egyptian dynastic struggles
48
Caesar consul for second time.Caesar crosses to Greece, defeats Pompey at
Pharsalus. Pompey flees to Egypt where he is stabbed to death on landing. Caesar
in Egypt. Alexandrine War. Caesar makes Cleopatra queen of Egypt.
47
Caesar dictator for second time in his absence. Caesar defeats King Pharnaces II
of Pontus. Caesar returns to Rome, then leaves for Africa.
46
Caesar crushes surviving Pompeian forces under Scipio and Cato at Thapsus.
Caesar dictator second time, consul third time. Cato commits suicide. Caesar
returns to Rome, reforms calendar. Caesar leaves for Spain.
45
Caesar dictator third time, consul fourth time. In battle at Munda in Spain the
last Roman Republican resistance is crushed
44
Caesar dictator fourth time (for life), consul fifth time. March 15, Caesar
murdered by Brutus, Cassius, and their co-conspirators acting for the
Republicans. Octavian returns from Greece.
43
Second Triumvirate: Anthony, Octavian, Lepidus. Proscriptions. Cicero is
murdered
42
Julius Caesar deified. Sextus Pompeius controls Sicily. Battle of Philippi: the
Triumvirate defeat Brutus and Cassius, both of whom take their own lives
41
Antony visits Asia Minor, then Alexandria.
40
Agreement at Brunidisum divides the Roman empire. Antony marries Octavia.
Parthian invasion of Syria.
39
Agreement at misenum between Antony, Octavian and Sextus Pompeius. Parthian
defeated at Mt Amanus.
38
Naval successes of Sextus Pompeius. Defeat of Parthians at Gindarus. Antony
captures Samosata.
37
Pact of Tarentum; triumvirate renewed. Antony marries Cleopatra at Antioch.
36
Octavian granted tribunician immunity. Sextus Pompeius defeated at Naulochus.
Lepidus ceases to be triumvir. Antony retreats through Armenia.
35
Octavian in Illyria. Death of Sextus Pompeius.
34
Antony celebrates triumph in Alexandria
33
Octavian consul for second time. Antony in Armenia. Antony and Cleapatra winter
at Ephesus.
32
Octavia divorced by Antony. Octavian publishes Antony's will in Rome. Antony and
Cleopatra in Greece.
31
Octavian consul third time. (and hereon successivly until 23 BC). September 2,
Octavian defeats Antony in naval battle off Actium
30
Tribunician powers granted to Octatian. In August, Antony and Cleopatra commit
suicide in Alexandria
29
Octavian celebrates his Triumph in Rome, the doors of Temple of Janus are
closed, the war officially ended, many legions disbanded, and land distributed
to veterans. Dedication of Temple of Divus Julius.
28
The Senate, its numbers already somewhat reduced by Octavian, grants him the
title of Princeps Senatus. Census held by Octavian and Agrippa. Mausoleum of
Augustus begun.
27
January 13, Octavian makes the gesture of returning command of the state to the
Senate and the people of Rome, receiving in return vast provinces and most of
the army as his own. Three days later the Senate confers on him great powers,
numerous honors, and the title of Augustus
27-25 Augustus directs the final subjugation of Spain and the
administrative reorganization of Spain and Gaul
23
The Senate grants Augustus the titles and powers of Imperium proconsulare
maius and tribunicia potestas for life, thereby turning over to him
complete control of the State and ending the Roman
Republic
21-19 Without bloodshed Augustus wins back from King Phraates
IV the Roman standards lost to the Parthians in 53
17
Secular Games (Ludi saeculares) celebrated as symbol of the new Golden
Age brought in by Augustus
15
The territory of the Raeti and Celtic Vincelici (Tyrol,Bavaria,Switzerland)
subdued, the new province of Raetia instituted
13
July 4, consecration ceremony of the Altar of Peace (ara Pacis) voted by the
Senate to honor Augustus
12
Augustus takes title and position of Pontifex Maximus
13-9 Campaigns in Pannoia
12-9 Campaigns in Germany
9
30 January, dedication of the completed Ara Pacis Augustae
5
Gaius Caesar, grandson of Augustus, named heir presumptive, princeps
juventutis
4
most likely date for Birth of Jesus Christ
2
Augustus is awarded the honourific title of pater patriae. Lucius Caesar,
brother of Gaius, likewise is name Princeps juventutis
AD
2
Lucius Caesar dies in Massilia
4
Gaius Caesar dies in Lycia from a wound sustained in battle eighteen months
earlier
6-9
Pannonian revolt suppressed by Tiberius
9
Roman army under Varus suffers overwhelming defeat in the Teutoburg Forest in
campaign against the Cherusci
14
August 19, Augustus dies at Nola. On September 17 the Senate elevates him to the
pantheon of State gods, an honor he had himself prepared by building a temple to
the Divius Julius
14-37 Tiberius emperor
14-16 Germanicus, nephew and adopted heir of Tiberius leads
campaign in Germany. Germans evacuated to the right bank of the Rhine
19
Mysterious death (by poison?) of Germanicus in Antioch
21-22 The Praetorian Guard in Rome is concentrated into a
single huge barracks (the Castra Praetoria), a move engineered by their prefect
Sejanus to make them into a political force
26
Tiberius saved by Sejanus when his grotto-villa at Sperlonga caves in. The
emperor, rarely in the capital, retires to Capri
26-31 Sejanus becomes all-powerful in Rome but is arrested
and executed on October 18, AD 31
37
March March 16, death of Tiberius
37-41 Caligula emperor
39-40 To justify his military pretensions Caligula launches
an abortive campaign against Germany and Britain
41
January 24, Caligula, his wife, and his only child are murdered
41-54 Claudius emperor
43-44 Britain brought under Roman rule
54-68 Claudius posisoned by his wife Agrippina, Nero emperor
62
Earthquake at Pompeii and nearby Vesuvian towns
64
Great fire in Rome. Persecution of Christians
65
Conspiracy against Nero by C. Calpurnius Piso is exposed and the plotters, among
them Seneca and his nephew Lucan, executed
67
Nero in Greece
68
With revolts blazing in Gaul, Spain, and Africa as well as among the Praetorian
Guard in Rome, Nero flees and commits suicide
68-69 First crisis of the Empire: year of the Four Emperors
Galba, Otho, Vitallius, Vespasian. On July 1, AD 69, Vespasian is proclaimed
emperor but almost six months pass before he can eliminate rivals and enter Rome
69-79 Vespasian emperor, initiating Flavian dynasty
70
Titus, elder son of Vespasian, takes Jerusalem and destroys the Temple
79-81 Titus, co-regent since 71, sole ruler after death of
his father in 79
79
August 24, eruption of Vesuvius buries Pompeii, Heraculaneum, and Stabiae
80
Great fire in Rome
81-96 Domitian, younger son of Vespasian, emperor
83-85 Campaigns against the Chatti in western Germany;
building of border fortifications (limesin Germany
86-90 Difficulties with the Dacians settled by making King
Decebalus a client-ruler
95
Expulsion of philosophers from Italy
96
Murder of Domitian. The senate elects Nerva emperor.
97
Nerva adopts Trajan as colleague and successor
98
Death of Nerva. Trajan sole emperor. Trajan completes military organization on
the Rhine and returns to Rome.
101
Trajan's first campaign on the Danube
102
Trajan forces the 'Iron Gates' and penetrates Dacia
104
Conquest of Dacia and death of Dacian King Decebalus.
106
Erection of the Forum and Column of Trajan in Rome. Colonization of Dacia. The
Nabatean kingdom of Petra is annexed as the province of Arabia.
114
Trajan advances against Parthia
114-117 Parthian War. Roman victory brings Armenia, Mesopotamia
and Assyria as new provinces into the Empire
114-118 Revolt of the Jews in Cyrenaica, Egypt and Cyprus
115
Trajan crosses the Tigris
116
Trajan captures Ctesiphon, but insurrections in his rear force him to retire.
117
Trajan dies at Selinus in Cilicia. Hadrian emperor. Hadrian reverts to policy of
non-expansion, and makes peace with Parthia.
118
Partial withdrawal from Dacia
121-125 First voyages of Hadrian: Gaul, Rhine frontiers,
Britain (122, Hadrian's Wall erected in northern England), Spain, western
Mauretania, the Orient, and Danube provinces
128-132 Second voyage of Hadrian: Africa, Greece, Asia Minor,
Syria, Egypt, Cyrene
131
Hadrian at Alexandria
133
Last organized revolt of the Jews under Bar Kochba and their final dispersion
134
Hadrian at Rome
135
Hadrian nominates Verus as successor
137
Verus dies
138
Hadrian adopts Antoninus. Antoninus adopts Marcus Aurelius. Death of Hadrian.
Antoninus emperor.
138-161 Antoninus Pius emperor. Pursues policy of demostic
reforms, centralised administration, better relations with Senate, though there
is unrest in the provinces. Gradual rise of power of the barbarians along
imperial borders.
141-143 Hadrian's Wall extended into Scotland
161
Death of Antoninus. Marcus Aurelius emperor. Marcus Aurelius makes Verus
co-emperor.
162-166 Parthian War
165
Verus takes official command of the east.
166
Unrest in the upper and middle Danube frontiers, where Quadi and Marcomanni in
movement. Outbreak of plague. Religious revival. Severe persecution of
Christians.
167-175 First Marcomannic War
167
Marcus Aurelius and Verus march against the Quadi who seek and obtain peace.
168
Death of Verus. Marcus Aurelius sole emperor.
169-179 Campaigns of Marcus Aurelius in Pannonia
175
Revolt of Avidius Cassius, who is put to death by his own followers
175-180 Second war against Danube-Germans
177
Marcus Aurelius makes Commodus co-emperor
180
Death of Marcus Aurelius. Accession of Commodus. Commodus makes peace wtih the
Sarmarians and returns to Rome.
183
Plot to kill Commodus discovered. Henceforth he acts as panic-stricken tyrant
Power of favourite Perennis.
186
Fall of Perennis. Power of Cleander
189
Fall of Cleander
193-194 Second crisis of the Empire: second year of four
emperors, Pertinax, Clodius Albinus, Pescennius Niger, Septimius Severus
193-211 Septimius Severus emperor, intiating Severan dynasty
194
Severus recognizes Albinus as Caesar but marches against Pescennius. Defeat and
death of Pescennius. His followers hold out for two years in Byzantium.
195-196 Parthian campaign
197
Contest of Severus and Albinus. Death of Albinus at Battle of Lugdunum. Severus
sole emperor
198
Severus organizes Praetorian Guard under his own command
199
The province of Mesopotamia is brought back into the Empire
199-200 Septimius Severus in Egypt
204
Secular Games (Ludi saeculares) celebrated throughout teh Empire
206-207 Septimius Severus in Africa
208-211 Septimius Severus heads campaign in Britain and dies
there
211-217 Caracalla emperor
212
The Constitutio Antoniniana, promulgated by Caracalla, confers
citizenship on all free men in the Empire
216
War again breaks out in Parthia
217-218 Macrinus and his ten-year-old son Diadumenianus
co-emperors after murder of Caracalla
218-222 Elagabalus emperor, reestablishes Severan rule
222-235 Alexander Severus emperor
224-241 Artaxerxes I reigns over the new Persian empire of the
Sassanids (or Sasanians)
230-232 Campaign against the Sassanids
235-238 Gordianus I and Gordianus II assume emperorship of
North Africa
238-244 Gordianus III emperor
241-271 Sepor I, King of Persia
242-243 Victorious campaigns agaisnt the Persians; battles of
REsenae, Carrhae, and Nisibis
244-249 Philippus Arabs emperor and his son co-regent 247-249
248
Celebration of millenium of Rome
248-251 Decius emperor
250
Persecution of Christians
251
Decius and his son Herennius Etruscus fall in battle in Abrittus against Goths
251-153 Treborianus Gallus emperor
253
June-September, Aemilianus emperor
253-260 Valerian and his son Gallienus co-emperors responsible
for, respectivly, the East and the West of the Empire
253
Persian War flares up again, Antioch lost to Persia
254-262 Revolts of Bagaudae, insurgent peasants, in Gaul and
Spain
257-260 Persecution of Christian by Valerian
260
Valerian taken prisoner by Persians at Edesa
260-268 Gallienus sole emperor
260
Gallienus extends tolerance to Christians
260-272 Queen Zenobia of Palmyra seizes large areas of Asia
Minor, Syria, and Egypt and sets up an independant empire until defeated and
taken prisoner by Aurelian
261-274 Separatist empire set up in Gaul by Postumus (261-268)
and Tetricus (270-274)
268-270 Claudius II Gothicus emperor
270-275 Aurelian emperor
276-282 Probus emperor
282-283 Carus emperor
282-285 Carinus at first co-emperor with Carus and then sole
emperor
283
Persian campaign of Carus
284-305 Diocletian and Maximian co-emperors
293
Diocletian creates tetrarchy with himself and Maximian as co-Augusti in teh East
and WEst, and Galerius and Constantius Chlorus as co-Caesars
297
The Empire is diveded administratively into twelve dioceses, each ruled by a
vicarius
301
The Edict of Maximum Prices imposed throughout teh Empire
303
Diocletian persecutes the Christians
305
Diocletian ebdicates and forces Maximian to do likewise. Galerius and
Constantius Chlorus co-Augusti
306
Constantine declared co-Augustus after death of his father Constantius Chlorus,
but Galerius recognizes the Illyrian Severus in that rank and confers the title
of caesar on Constantine
306
Maxentius sone of Maximian, hailed as legitimate successor by the Praetorian
Guard and the city of Rome; heads revolt against Constantine. His father comes
out of retirement to profit from the situation, first on one side, then on the
other
308
At an imperial conference of Diocletian, Galerius and Maximian at Carnuntum
Licinius is declared Augustus of teh West, setting off an armed conflict between
all rival contenders
310
Maximius Daia, nephew of Galerius, assumes on his own initiative the title of
Augustus
311
An edict of tolerance for Christians issued by Galerius shortly before his death
312
Constantine's victory over Maxentius in battle at the Milvian Bridge puts Rome
in his hands
313
Victory of Licinius over Maximinus Daia at the Hellespont is followed by
reconciliation of the two victors
313
The co-emperors issue the Edict of Milan ending persecution of Christians
314
Armed conflict breaks out between teh co-emperorss: truces,
claims,counterclaims, and wars follow for ten years with Constantine
increasingly victorious
324
Constantine sole emperor after final defeat, abdication, and execution of
Licinius
325
The Council of Nicaea formulates Nicene Creed and makes Christianity teh
religion of the Empire
326
Constantine chooses Byzantium as the new capital of the Empire and renames it
Constantinopolis
337
May 22, death of Constantine the Great
337
Division of the empire between Constantine's three sons: Constantine II (west),
Constans (middle), Constantius (east). Execution of all other princes of royal
blood, but for the children Gallus and Julian.
338
Constantius attends to the war against Persia. First unsuccessful siege of
Nisibis by Sapor II
340
Constans and Constantine II at war. Battle of Aquileia; death of Constantine II.
344
Persian victory at Singara
346
Second unsuccessful siege of Nisibis by Sapor II
350
Third siege of Nisibis. Owing to incursions of the Massagetae in Transoxiana,
Sapor II makes truce with Constantius.
Magnentius murders Constans and
becomes emperor in the west. Vetranio proclaimed emperor on the Danube frontier.
On appearance of Constantius, Vetranio resumes allegiance.
351
Magnetnius defeated at the very bloody Battle of Mursa. Misrule by Gallus, left
as Caesar in the east.
352
Italy recovered. Magnentius in Gaul.
353
Final defeat and death of Magnentius
354
Execution of Gallus. Julian at Athens
356
Julian dispatched as Caesar to Gaul. War with teh Alemanni, Quadi and
Sarmatians. Military achievements by Julian.
357
Challenge by Sapor II
359
Sapor II invades Mesopotamia. Constantius goes to the east.
360
The Gallic army forces Julian to revolt. Julian marches down the Danube to
Moesia.
361
Constantius dies. Julian the Apostate emperor.
362
Christians forbidden to teach. Julian's advance against Persians
363
Disaster and death of Julian. Retreat of the army which proclaims Jovian
emperor. Humiliating peace with Persia. Renewed toleration decree.
364
Jovian nominates Valentinian and dies.
Valentinian associates his brother
Valens as eastern emperor and takes the west for himself. Permanent duality of
the empire inaugurated.
366
Damasus pope. Social and political influences become a feature of papal
elections.
367
Valentinian sends his son Gratian as Augustus to Gaul. Theodosius the elder in
Britain.
368
War of Valens with Goths
369
Peace with Goths
369-377 Subjugation of Ostrogoths by Hun invasion
374
Pannonian War of Valentinian. Ambrose Bishop of Milan
375
Death of Valentinian. Accession of Gratian, who associates his infant brother
Valentinian II at Milan. Gratian first emperor to refuse the office of
Pontifex Maximus. Theodosius the elder in Africa.
376
Execution of elder and retirement of younger Theodosius.
377
Valens receives and settles Visigoths in Moesia.
378
Gratian defeats Alemanni. Rising of Visigoths. Valens killed at disaster at
Adrianople.
380
Gratian nominates the younger Theodosius as successor to Valens.
382
Treaty of Theodosius with Visigoths
383
Revolt of Maximus in Britain. Flight and death of Gratian. Theodosius recognizes
Maximus in the west and Valentinian II at Milan.
386
Revolt of Gildo in Africa
387
Theodosius crushes Maximus, makes Arbogast the Frank master of the soldiers to
Valentinian II
392
Murder of Valentinian II. Arbogast sets up Eugenius.
394
Fall of Arbogast and Eugenius. Theodosius makes his younger son Honorius western
Augustus, with the Vandal Stilicho master of the soldiers.
395
Theodosius dies. Arcadius and Honorius emperors.
396
Alaric the Visigoth overruns Balkan peninsula.
397
Alaric checked by Stilicho, is given Illyria.
398
Suppression of Gildo in Afrca
402
Alaric invades Italy, checked by Stilicho
403
Alaric retires after defeat at Pollentia.
Ravenna becomes imperial
headquarters.
404
Martyrdom of Telemachus ends gladiatorial shows.
405-406 German band under Radagaesus invades Italy but is
defeated at Faesula
406/407 Alans, Sueves and Vandals invade Gaul
407
Revolt of Constantine III who withdraws the troops from Britain to set up a
Gallic empire
408
Honorius puts Stilicho to death
Theodosius II (aged 7) succeeds
Arcadius.
Alaric invades Italy and puts rome to ransom
409
Alaric proclaims Attalus emperor.
410
Fall of Attalus. Alaric sacks Rome but dies.
411
Athaulf succeeds Alaric as King of the Visigoths.
Constantine III crushed by
Constantius
412
Athaulf withdraws from Italy to Narbonne
413
Revolt and collapse of Heraclius
414
Athaulf attacks the barbarians in Spain Pulcheria regent for her brother
Theodosius II
415
Wallia succeeds Athaulf
416
Constantius the patrician marries Placidia
417
Visigoths establish themselves in Aquitania
425
Honorius dies. Valentinian III emperor. Placidia regent.
427
Revolt of Boniface in Africa
429
The Vandals, invited by Boniface, migrate under Geiseric from Spain to Africa,
which they proceed to conquer.
433
Aetius patrician in Italy
434
Rugila king of the Huns dies; Attila succeds.
439
Geiseric takes Carthage. Vandal fleet dominant.
440
Geiseric invades Sicily, but is bought off.
441
Attila crosses Danube and invades Thrace
443
Attila makes terms with Theodosius II
447
Attila's second invasion
449
Attila's second peace.
450
Marcian succeeds Theodosius II. Marcian stops Hun tribute.
451
Attila invades Gaul. Attila heavily defeated by Aetius and Theodoric I the
Visigoth at Châlons
452
Attila invades Italy but spares Rome and retires
453
Attila dies. Theodoric II King of the Visigoths
454
Overthrow of the Hun power by the subjected barbarians at the Battle of
Netad.
Murder of Aetius by Valentinian III
455
Murder of Valentinian III and death of Maximus, his murderer. Flavius Aetius
Avetus named emperor by the populace.
Geiseric sacks Rome, carrying of Eudoxia. Avitus proclaimed emperor of
the Visigoths
500 Aetius sets sail for the
new continent tentatively named ‘Darkon’ to expand the
empire.
501 Aetius and his troops land
on the “new” continent, a new era for the empire
begins!