Through significant occasions and figures, learn about the ascent and fall of Ancient Rome. Discover the famous events, from Rome’s inception through the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Find more about prominent figures like Julius Caesar and Augustus, as well as the causes of Rome’s collapse. Explore one of the most impressive civilizations in human history.
| Event/Leader | Era | Description | |||
| Founding of Rome | 753 BC | Traditional date of Rome’s foundation | |||
| Roman Republic established | 509 BC | End of monarchy, beginning of republic | |||
| Punic Wars | 264-146 BC | Rome’s conflict with Carthage | |||
| Julius Caesar | 100-44 BC | Roman general, dictator, assassinated | |||
| Roman Empire established | 27 BC | Octavian becomes Augustus Caesar | |||
| Pax Romana | 27 BC-180 AD | Long period of relative peace | |||
| Emperor Nero | 54-68 AD | Infamous emperor, persecuted Christians | |||
| Colosseum construction | 70-80 AD | Iconic amphitheater in Rome | |||
| Trajan’s Column | 113 AD | Commemorative monument in Rome | |||
| Hadrian’s Wall | 122 AD | Defensive wall in northern Britannia | |||
| Fall of Western Roman Empire | 476 AD | Odoacer deposes Romulus Augustulus | |||
| Augustus Caesar | 27 BC-14 AD | First Roman emperor | |||
| Tiberius | 14-37 AD | Successor to Augustus | |||
| Caligula | 37-41 AD | Infamous and tyrannical emperor | |||
| Claudius | 41-54 AD | Expanded Roman Empire | |||
| Nero | 54-68 AD | Infamous emperor, persecuted Christians | |||
| Vespasian | 69-79 AD | Founder of Flavian dynasty | |||
| Titus | 79-81 AD | Completed the Colosseum | |||
| Domitian | 81-96 AD | Last Flavian emperor | |||
| Nerva | 96-98 AD | First of the Five Good Emperors | |||
| Trajan | 98-117 AD | Expanded Roman Empire to its peak | |||
| Hadrian | 117-138 AD | Consolidated Roman borders | |||
| Antoninus Pius | 138-161 AD | Known for his administrative skills | |||
| Marcus Aurelius | 161-180 AD | Philosopher emperor | |||
| Commodus | 180-192 AD | Decline in Roman authority | |||
| Severan Dynasty | 193-235 AD | Political instability and military crisis | |||
| Diocletian | 284-305 AD | Divided Roman Empire into East and West | |||
| Constantine the Great | 306-337 AD | Legalized Christianity, founded Constantinople |
