1500 - 1000 BC
1000 BC Iron Age begins and Villanova
civilization spreads in the Lazio area. The first inhabited hills were the
Palatine, the Esquiline and the Quirinal
NINTH CENTURY BC
About 850 Presence of Villanovan huts on the
Palatine Hill
814. Foundation of Carthage, according
to the tradition of Timaeus
EIGHTH CENTURY BC
753-716. ROMULUS
He was an advocate of the merger between
Sabines and Romans and gave the first law to the city. According to some
historians he divided the people into three tribes: Ramnenses, Titienses and Lucerenses
First king of Rome and founder of the eponymous
town. Of Latin origin, the son of the god Mars and the vestal virgin Rhea
Silvia, daughter of Numitor, king of Alba Longa direct descendant of Aeneas.
According to the ancient Roman scholar Varro, Romulus founded Rome drawing the
sacred boundary, the pomerium, on April 21, 753 BC
Once a king, Romulus was the promoter of the
union of the early Romans with their Sabine neighbors of the city of Cures, as
passed down in the stories of the Rape of the Sabine and of Tarpea. The Sabine settled
on the Quirinal Hill with their king, Titus Tatius, who shared power with
Romulus
Romulus also established the right of asylum
for the outcasts of the neighboring towns, and constituted the 100 original
families, the gentes, represented in
the Senate, the assembly that brought together the patres, i.e. family heads
After a reign of 40 years, Romulus, as
described in the legend, was taken by a mysterious force into the sky during a
storm. After his death he was, according to his own desires, deified in the
form of Quirinus, the Sabine god worshiped on Quirinal Hill. According to some
historians the Ramnenses tribe originated
from him
715-672. NUMA POMPILIUS
Period of peace and regulation of religious
norms. He was originally Sabine and reigned for 42 years, establishing the
priestly colleges (flamens, pontifexes, and vestal virgins) and reforming the calendar, basing it on the solar
year and ruling that it would have lasted 12 months, instead of 10 hitherto in
use. According to some historians the Tities
tribe originated from him
SEVENTH CENTURY BC
672-640. TULLUS HOSTILIUS
He reigned for 32 years, built the Curia, seat
of the meetings of the Senate, and was a warrior king, clashing with Alba (as
passed down in the episode of the clash between Horatii and Curiatii),
conquering and deporting people to Rome, on the Celium Hill. According to some
historians the Luceres tribe
originated from him
640-616. ANCUS MARCIUS
Of Sabine origin, he reigned 25 years, founded
the port of Ostia at the mouth of the Tiber River, built the Sublicius bridge and
promoted businesses. He fortified the Janiculum Hill and collided with the
Latin people at Medullia, deporting the losers in the Valle Murcia, between Palatine
and Aventine Hill. He established the college of the fetials
616-578. TARQUINIUS PRISCUS
After the first five native kings, kings with Etruscan
names succeeded, the Tarquinii, thus indicating that in the last 106 years of
monarchical period Rome was under the influence of the Etruscans. Tarquinius
Priscus of Greek and Etruscan origin, reigned 37 years. He strengthened the
army and fought against Sabines, Latins and the even Etruscans
He enlarged the Senate and erected the Circus
Maximus and the Cloaca Maxima, allowing the development of the area of the
Forum. He began the construction of the Temple of Jupiter on the Capitoline
Hill. He celebrated the first triumph and introduced the use of regalia (scepter, purple toga, curule seat
and fasces). He died assassinated in a conspiracy
SIXTH CENTURY BC
578-534. SERVIUS TULLIUS
He was a servant who became son-in-law of
Tarquinius Priscus and succeded him. He reigned 43 years reforming the army to
include the populace. He was at war with Veii, Caere and Tarquinia and modified
the traditional division of the Roman aristocratic tribes, creating four urban
tribes (Suburana, Palatine, Esquiline and Collina) and seventeen country tribes
(extra-urban)
He erected a city wall (Servian Wall) and many
temples, aiming to make Rome the main spiritual center of the region. He was
assassinated in a coup by his successor Tarquinius Superbus
534-509. TARQUINIUS THE SUPERB
He reigned 35 years, denying burial to his
predecessor and clashing with nearby cities. He became increasingly unpopular
with the Roman nobility, he was expelled from the city on the pretext of
violent behavior of his son Sextus with the patrician lady Lucretia. He tried,
supported by Etruscan allies, to return to the city, but failed and the
Republic was established on 509. Possible introduction of the alphabet from Cumae
540. Victory of Etruscan and
Carthaginians against Phoenicians at Alalia (Corsica)
509. The Etruscans were driven from
Rome. End of the monarchy and beginning of the republic. First treaty between
Rome and Carthage
FIFTH CENTURY BC
About 499. Annexation of Crustumerium and foundation,
in 495, of the Clustumina tribe
499-496. Battle of Lake Regillus between
Romans and Latins
494. Secession of the populace on Monte
Sacro. Institution of the Tribunes of the
Plebs and of the Comitia Tributa
493. The Foedus Cassianum is signed: Rome joins the Latin League
477. BEGINNING OF THE WAR BETWEEN VEII
AND ROME. Roman defeat at Cremera
About 470. Rome divided into 16 rustic tribes
and 4 urban tribes
458. Cincinnatus appointed dictator to
conduct the war against the Equii. After the victory he retired to private life
451-450. Law of the Twelve Tables
449-448. Rome at war against Equii, Volsci
and Sabines
445. The Canuleia law repeals the
prohibition of marriage between patricians and plebeians
443. Establishment of censorship
431. Victory of the Romans against the
Equii at Carsioli
426. The Romans conquered Fidene (allied
with Veii) and incorporate it in the Rome area
421. The plebeians gain access to the
office of Questura
409-406. The Carthaginians conquered much of
Sicily
406. The twenty-first tribe is
established. The Romans began the siege of Veii
FOURTH CENTURY BC
About 400. The Celts (Gauls) pass the Alps and
enter the Po valley. FIRST CLASH OF THE ROMANS AND CELTS AT CLUSIUM (Chiusi)
396. Marcus Furius Camillus dictator. VEII
IS SEIZED AND DESTROYED. Its territory becomes part of the Roman State
390. VICTORY OF THE GAULS, GUIDED BY
BRENNUS, AT THE ALLIA RIVER AND SACK OF ROME. Retreat of the Gauls after payment
of a ransom
367. With the Licinian Sestie laws plebeians
get access to consulate office
358. An Etruscan coalition (Tarquinia, Caere
and Faleri) goes to war against Rome
354. Praeneste and Tivoli are reunited
with Rome. Alliance between Romans and Samnites to face the Gauls
353. Peace between Caere and Rome
351. End of the war with the Etruscans
and 40-year truce signed between Tarquinia and Rome
348. RENEWAL OF THE TREATY WITH CARTHAGE
346/345. Third Gallic invasion
345. Submission of the Aurinci people
343. Treaty of alliance between Rome and
Capua
343-341. FIRST SAMNITE WAR
342. Military sedition
340-338. WAR AGAINST LATINS AND CAMPANI
340. Battle of Sinuessa: Romans and
Samnites tame the Latin revolt
338. DEFEAT OF THE LATINS AND OF THE LATIN
LEAGUE
328. Foundation of the Latin colony of Fregellae,
strengthened in 313
326-304. SECOND SAMNITE WAR
326. Pact of friendship between Rome and
Naples
321. Roman defeat near Caudium (CAUDINE
FORKS)
About 315-314. Roman defeat at Lautule
314. Foundation of Luceria (Lucera)
313. Latin colonies established in
Seussa and Saticula in the area between Capua and the territory of the Samnites
312-308. Appius Claudius Ciecus is censor.
He was also a speaker, linguist and scholar of law
312. Construction of the section of the Appian
Way from Rome to Formia, later extended until Capua. Construction of the Appian
aqueduct
311. Alliance between Etruscans and
Samnites
310. Q.F- Rullianus beats the Etruscans at
Lake Vadimone
306. A THIRD TREATY WITH CARTHAGE IS
SIGNED
306-304. Rome conquer Bovianum, capital of
Pentri, and capture the leader of the Samnites: Statius Gellius
304. TREATY OF PEACE BETWEEN SAMNITES
AND ROMANS. The Samnite League lives on and Campania passes under Roman
control. The edile Gneus Flavio collects procedural rules in a text (Ius Flavianum)
About 303-302. Treaty between Rome and Taranto
303. Foundation of the Latin colonies of
Sora, Fucente and Carseoli, within the territory of the Equii
THIRD CENTURY BC
300. The Ogulnia law: it allowed
plebeians access to the colleges of pontiffs and augurs
299. Agreement between Romans and the
Lucani against the Samnites. Foundation of the Latin colony of Narnia (Narni)
in Umbria
298-290. THIRD SAMNITE WAR. Coalition of
Samnites, Sabines, Etruscans and Umbrian
296. A.C. Ciecus defeats Samnites,
Sabines and Etruscans
295. Victory of the Romans at Sentino
(Umbria). Foundation of Latin colonies of Minturno and Sineussa
294. Fall of Roselle
About 294. Peace treaties between Rome and
some Etruscan cities (Volsinii, Perugia and Arezzo)
293. Roman victory at Aquilonia
291. Foundation of the colony of Venusia
(Venosa) in Puglia
290. M.C. Dentatus defeats Samnites and
Sabines. PEACE WITH SAMNITES AND TERRITORIAL GROWTH OF ROME
289. Foundation of Adria (Adriatic Sea)
284. Anti-Roman coalition signed between
Etruscans and Gauls. Roman defeat at Arezzo. Annihilation of the Senoni people
283-282. Coalition of Etruscans and Boi Gauls
against Rome
283. Boi Gauls and Etruscans defeated at
Lake Vadimo by M.C. Dentatus
282. Roma helps Turi sending a garrison.
End of the treaty with Taranto: a Roman fleet enters the city
280-275. WAR AGAINST PYRRHUS. The latter had
been called by Taranto to help
281. Consulate of T. Coruncanius: he
subjected permanently Etruria to Rome
280. Pyrrhus defeats the Romans at
Eraclea
279. Pirro defeats the Romans at
Ausculum (Puglia)
278. LAST RENEWAL OF THE TREATY WITH
CARTHAGE
275. Pyrrhus is beaten twice: by M.C.
Dentatus along the border between Puglia and Sannius and then by C. Lentulus at
Benevento. Pyrrhus returns to Epirus
About 274-273. Rebellion of Caere against Rome
273. Foundation of the Latin colony of
Cosa in Etruscan territory. Foundation of the Latin colony of Paestum
272. Taking of Taranto and Samnium.
Among the prisoners of this city there was Livio Andronico who translated the
Odyssey and wrote comedies and tragedies
270. Taking of Reggio
269-268. Defection against Rome of the Picenti
allies
268. Foundation of Rimini (Adriatic Sea)
and of the Latin colony of Benevento (Beneventum) with subsequent extension of the
Appian Way up to this city. Later it was extended to Venosa (colony since 291)
and also to Taranto
267-266. Salento and Mesapi peoples defeated
by the Romans. Brindisi (Brundisium) is seized. Extension of the Appian Way to
this city
265. The "Mamertines" mercenaries
from Campania forced by Hiero of Syracuse to take refuge in Messina. Some of
them seek help from Carthage, others from Rome. The Carthaginians send a
garrison. Rome, initially uncertain, decides to intervene in support of the Mamertines.
Rebellion of the city of Volsinii against Rome
265-264. Volsinii war and conquest the city
by the Consul Marcus Fulvius Flaccus
264. At the Forum Boarium takes place
the first fight of gladiators in Rome: three pairs of gladiators fight to
commemorate the death of Junius Brutus Pera. Foundation of Fermo
264-241. FIRST PUNIC WAR
264. The Carthaginian garrison abandons Messina.
A. Claudius enters the city. Carthaginians and Syracusans (Hieron II) team up
to thwart a possible Roman hegemony in Sicily and decide to besiege Messina
263. Consuls Manius Valerius Maximus and
M.A. Crassus concentrate their forces on Messina and then take Catania, Enna
and Centuripe and force Hieron II of Syracuse to surrender. Hieron joins Rome
and moves away from the Carthaginians. The Carthaginians concentrate their
forces in Agrigento
262. Consuls Postumio and Manilius with
four legions occupy Agrigento after seven months of siege
262-254. Agrigento in the hands of the
Romans
261. Roma builds 100 quinqueremes to
counter Carthage
260. C. Duilius, with a fleet of armed
"crows", beats the Carthaginians in MILAZZO. Carthage loses a third
of its ships
256. Naval Battle of Cape Ecomo, one of
the greatest of all time: the two forces in total are more than 700 ships and
almost 300,000 men
255. Regulus march on Carthage but he is
captured and then killed
254. The Roman fleet (consuls Scauro and
Junius) sent to save survivors is destroyed by a storm in CAMARINA. The
Carthaginian Cartalone takes courage and besieges, seizes and burn Agrigento.
Reconstruction of the Roman fleet: over 220 ships. Seize of Palermo
About 254-251. Plautus is born in Sarsina (Umbria).
He was one of the greatest Roman playwrights
249. Consul Claudius Pulcher loses many
ships off the coast of Trapani in an effort to chase the Carthaginian ships
About 246-244. Foundation of the Latin colony of
Brindisi
241. G.L. Catulus destroys the
Carthaginian fleet at the EGADIAN ISLANDS. PEACE WITH CARTHAGE: the
Carthaginians give up Sicily which will become the first Roman province. Sedition
of Faleri against Rome. Foundation of Spoleto
238-237. The Romans conquer Sardinia and
Corsica
237. Colonization of Vibo Valentia,
re-colonized in 192
232. Construction of the Flaminia Road
230. Roman ambassadors visit the queen
of Illyria (Teuta) to request the suspension of the activities of pirates in
the Adriatic Sea. They are killed by the order of the queen
230-229. WAR ROMANO-ILLYRIAN
229. The Roman fleet destroys the
Illyrian one. Occupation of Durres and Apollonia. Creation of a Roman
principality in the area to the south of the kingdom of Teuta
228. Rome allowed to participate to the
Isthmian games of Corinth
227. CREATION OF THE FIRST TWO ROMAN PROVINCES:
SICILY AND SARDINIA-CORSICA
225. Gaul invading army defeated at
Telamon
223. G. Flaminio defeats the Gauls at
the Oglio River
222. M.C. Marcellus defeats the Gauls in
Casteggio (Clastidium) and conquers Milan (Mediolanum)
221. Hasdrubal dies, Hannibal succeeds
219. Hannibal besieges Sagunto
218. Institution of the Latin colonies
of Piacenza and Cremona. Roman ambassadors travel to Carthage to give ultimatum.
HANNIBAL PASS THE ALPS. Claudian Law is issued
218-201. SECOND PUNIC WAR
218. Hannibal defeats P.C. Scipio first
at the TICINO RIVER and then the remains of his army, as well as the army of
consul TS Longo, in the battle of TREBBIA RIVER. The Gauls join the
Carthaginians
217. Hannibal passes the Apennines and
defeats the Roman army of G. Flaminio at LAKE TRASIMENO with about 19,000
deaths among the Romans: about 15,000 legionnaires as well as the about 4,000
riders that had arrived in the following days. The Romans elect as DICTATOR Q. F.
MASSIMO, nicknamed "Time-buyer" (Cunctator)
for his cautious and prudent conduct of the war
216. The consuls L.E. Paulus and M.T.
Varro are defeated, by Hannibal, at CANNE in Puglia with almost 50,000 deaths
between Romans and allies. Defection of Capua, but also of Samnites, Apulians and
Bruzi
215. Hannibal signs an alliance with
Philip V of Macedonia. Defection of Syracuse. Rebellions in Sardinia
215-205. FIRST MACEDONIAN WAR. The Romans
block the offensive of the Macedonian king in Illyria
213. Fire in the area of the Forum Boarium
and the Forum Olitorium
212. The Romans take over Syracuse.
Death of Archimedes. The siege of Capua begins. Metaponto, Eraclea and Turi join
the Carthaginians side. The Romans occupy Sagunto. Roman alliance with the
Aetolians
211. Capua surrenders. HANNIBAL AT THE
GATES OF ROME
210-206. P.C. Scipio (the future Africanus) fights the Carthaginians in
Spain
209. Scipio occupies Cartagena
208. M.C. Marcellus seizes Syracuse, but
later he is killed. Battle of Baecula
207. In Spain Scipio almost captures
Hasdrubal. Roman victory over Hasdrubal at the Metauro River. The Romans
defeats the Carthaginians in Silpia
206. Scipio returns from Spain
205. Consulate of Scipio and Crassus.
Scipio gets Sicily, Crassus the Bruzio area. Pace of Phoenix
204. Scipio goes to Africa
203. Scipio beats the Carthaginians at
the Campi Magni, near Utica. Hannibal returns to Africa
202. HANNIBAL IS BEATEN BY SCIPIO
AFRICANUS AT ZAMA (Libya)
201. PEACE WITH CARTHAGE
About 201. The Roman annals begin to be
recorded with Q.F. Pittore
SECOND CENTURY BC
Estates cultivated by slaves increase, small
property decreases, hungry populace increases, urbanization and number of
slaves grow. Propositions of assignments of lands (Gracchi) opposed by
aristocrats. Middle class (equestrians) working in trade and procurement
expands
200-190. Subjugation of Gaul south of the
Alps
200-197. SECOND MACEDONIAN WAR
198. The Achaean League joins the Romans
197. T.Q. Flamininus defeats Philip V,
king of Macedonia, in Cynoscephalae. The provinces of Spain Citerior and Ulterior
are established
196. On the occasion of the Isthmian
games at Corinth Flamininus proclaims freedom for the Greek cities
195. Hannibal escapes in the East
193. Seleucus IV is associated to the
throne of his father Antiochus III
192-188. SYRIAN WAR against Antiochus III
191. The attempt of Antiochus III to
invade Greece is stopped at Thermopylae
190-189. Scipio the Asian directs the war in
Asia as legatus of his brother
(Scipio Nasica)
190. The army of Scipio enters Asia.
Occupation of Ephesus
189. The Romans led by L.C. Scipio the Asian
and Scipio Africanus beat Antiochus III at Magnesia
188. Peace of Apamea between Romans and
Antiochus III
187-185. Agitations of slaves in southern
Italy
186. Decree of the Senate against the
bacchanalia
184. Censorship of Cato. Cato accuses
Scipio Africanus
183. Suicide of Hannibal. Scipio
Africanus dies. Foundation of the colonies of Modena, Parma and Aquileia
180. Foundation of the colony of Lucca
171-168. THIRD MACEDONIAN WAR. Perseus, son
of Philip V, try to restore the Macedonian hegemony in Greece
168. Lucius Emilius Paolus defeats the
Macedonians at Pydna
155. An embassy of three Greek
philosophers (Diogenes, Critolaus and Carneades) arrives in Rome. Cato argues
that their philosophical doctrines corrupt young Romans. The Senate decides on
their return to Greece
154-138. LUSITAN WAR
153-151. SECOND CELTIBERIAN WAR
149-146. THIRD PUNIC WAR
148. MACEDONIA BECOMES ROMAN PROVINCE at
the end of the FOURTH MACEDONIAN WAR when Quintus Cecilius Metellus Macedonicus
defeats twice Andriscus who had proclaimed himself heir to Perseus
147-139. Uprising of Viriatus in Spain
146. P.C. Scipio Emilianus, adopted son
of Scipio Africanus, destroys Carthage. Organization of the province of Africa
(Tunisia and western Libya). Scipio Emiliano patron of Terence. Sack of Corinth.
Foundation of the PROVINCE OF ACHAIA which includes Greece
143-133. NUMANTINIAN WAR
137. The Roman army under Mancinus is
defeated and surrenders to the Numantines
About 135-132. Slave revolt in Sicily
133. Scipio Emilianus defeats Numatia
and Rome is assured of peace in Spain. TIBERIUS GRACCHUS is tribune
Agrarian law proposed by Gracchus: he proposes
a limit, to be increased in the case of children, of public land that a private
can own; distribution to the proletarians of the surplus plots of land for
which private individuals are not eligible. In compensation for the
expropriation the private individuals become effectively owners of the land
The agrarian law is not implemented because of
difficulties of application and for the opposition of the senate
Rome inherits the kingdom of Pergamon. Murder of
Tiberius Gracchus
126. INSTITUTION OF THE PROVINCE OF ASIA
125. Consul F. Flacco promotes a bill to
grant citizenship to all the Italians but it is not approved. Fregellae
uprising and its subsequent destruction
123-122. GAIUS GRACCHUS tribune
123. Frumentaria Law: distribution of wheat
at low cost for the low classes. Law on judicial courts. Proposals on the
establishment of new colonies
121. The senate condemns Gaius Gracchus
as a public enemy. Besieged on the Aventine Hill, he is killed by a slave. Institution
of the province of Gaul
121-111. Laws enacted by the Senate that
diminish the value of the Gracchus reform
113. The Cimbrian people defeat consul
Papirius Carbo at Noreia
112. After taking Cirta, Jugurtha orders
to kill all the Italians in the city
111-105. JUGURTHINE WAR
111. Roman defeat at Suthul
107. First consulate of Marius
106. Consul S. Caepio repress the revolt
of Toulouse and is beaten by the Germans at Orange
105. The Cimbrians defeat the Romans at ARAUSIO.
Marian reform of the army: abolition of velites
(Light Infantry), of triarii (heavy
infantry armed with spears) and chivalry. Foundation of a standard legion armed
with gladium (short double-edged
sword) and pilum (javelin)
104-100. GAIUS MARIUS consul. New slave
revolt in Sicily
102. Mario beat the Teutons to AQUAE
SESTIAE
101. Mario returns to Italy and defeats
the Cimbrians at the RAUDI FIELDS
FIRST CENTURY BC
100. Marius consul for the sixth time. Julius
Caesar is born
95. Approval of a law to limit arbitrary
granting of citizenship to Italians
91. The tribune M.L. Drusus, proposes a
reform of the Senate, a land reform and the granting of citizenship to Italians.
M.L. Drusus is killed
90-88. Revolt of the Italians (SOCIAL WAR).
They form an independent confederation with Corfino (Italica) as capital
90-89. The Giuliae Plauzia-Papira law grant
citizenship to the Italians remained faithful to Rome and to those who have
surrendered
88-85. FIRST MITHRIDATIC WAR
88. Consulate of Sulla. Siege of Nola.
Sulla defeats the last Italian rebel
Mithridates VI, king of Pontus, tired of
interference of Nicomedes, attacks Bithynia, territory under Roman influence. Later
he massacres 80,000 Italian traders who were in Asia and urges the Greeks to
rise against Rome. The news arrive in Rome, while the consul Sulla was still
besieging Nola, a city in the hands of the Italians. The Senate assigns Sulla
the task of conducting the war in Asia. Sulla marches on Rome
Marius, along with other members of his
political faction, flees from Rome and takes refuge in Africa. Sulla begins
some constitutional reform that will be completed in the year 81
88-84. CIVIL WAR BETWEEN MARIUS AND SULLA.
It starts because the tribune S. Rufus promotes an alliance of knights and
common people in order to take command from Sulla in the Mithridatic War and
assign it to Marius
87. Sulla goes to fight in Greece
against Mithridates. Marius returns to Rome and takes hold of the city and
start the proscriptions
86. Consulate of Marius and Cinna.
Death of Marius (January). Government of Cinna. Sulla beats troops of Pontus at
Chaeronea and then at Arcomeno
84. Peace of Dardanus between Romans and
Mithridates. Failure to observe the conditions of the treaty unleashes the
Second Mithridatic War
83-81. SECOND MITHRIDATIC WAR. It was
conducted by propraetor L.L. Murena
83. Killing of Cinna. Sulla lands in
Brindisi and heads for Rome
83-82. Civil war breaks out in Italy,
between Sulla and the faction in favour of the common people. Silla routs the opponents
in the battle of Porta Collina. Proscriptions of Sulla
82-80. Dictatorship of Sulla: restoration
of the authority of the Senate
81. Sulla takes up the constitutional
reforms
80-72. Revolt of Sertorius in Spain
78. Death of Sulla
78-77. The anti-Sulla revolt of Lepidus is
repressed
77. Julius Caesar made his debut in
politics with an oration against Dolabella, supporter of Sulla
74-63. THIRD MITHRIDATIC WAR
74. CIRENAICA (EASTERN LIBYA) and
BITHYNIA BECOME ROMAN PROVINCES
73. Julius Caesar appointed Pontifex
73-71. Slave revolt led by Spartacus
71. M.L. Crassus defeats the army of
Spartacus who dies in combat
70. Consulate of L. Crassus and G. Pompey
68. Julius Caesar superintendent in
Spain
67. The Gabinia law gives Pompey broad
powers in the war against men devoted to the activities of pirates. In Cilicia
Pompey routs pirates. Introduction of the cult of Mithras in Rome: outstanding
example of spread of oriental cults
66-63. Pompey goes in the East. Defeat of
Mithridates. Capture of Jerusalem
63. CONSPIRACY OF CATILINA under the
consulate of Cicero. SYRIA ORGANIZED AS A PROVINCE. Octavian is born, Caesar's
great-nephew an future emperor Augustus
61. Caesar propraetor in southern Spain
and expedition against the Lusitans
60. FIRST TRIUMVIRATE: Caesar, Pompey
and Crassus
59. Caesar appointed consul. He gets
the command of Gaul south of the Alps and Gaul Narbonnensis
58. Caesar tries to weaken the
senatorial aristocracy: departure from Rome of Cato (office in Cyprus) and
Cicero (exile in Greece). Caesar, as proconsul, leaves for Gaul. Caesar beats
the Helvetii and the Germans (Ariovistus)
58-52. Campaign of Caesar in Gaul
57. Victorious war of Caesar against the
Nervi (Belgian Gaul)
56. The triumvirate in conference in
Lucca. The triumvirate is renewed
55. Consulate of Pompey and Crassus.
Caesar beat the Usipetes and Tencteri peoples and heads across the Rhine. First
expedition to Britain
54. Caesar goes to Britain again and has
some success
53. Caesar defeats the Swabians and the
Eburones and travels to Italy. Death of Crassus at CARRE in the battle against
the Parthians
52. Pompey consul by himself. Fight
between Clodius and Milo. CAESAR BEATS VERCINGETORIX AT ALESIA
50. All Gaul become Roman possession,
but only under Augustus it will be organized as a province
49-46. CIVIL WAR BETWEEN CAESAR AND POMPEY
49. CAESAR CROSSES THE RUBICON with its
Gallic legions and arrives in Rome. Pompey, consuls and senators flee to
Brindisi. Caesar goes to Spain and Pompey travels to the East. Caesar arrives
in Brindisi and embarks for Epirus
48. CAESAR DEFEATS POMPEY AT PHARSALUS
(Thessaly). Pompey retreats to Egypt where he is killed by order of Ptolemy
XIV. Caesar goes to Egypt, learns of the death of Pompey and meets Cleopatra
48-47. Alexandrian war. Caesar beat the
Egyptians and puts Cleopatra on the throne of Egypt
47. Caesar beats Pharnaces at Zela
(Pontus)
47-46. African campaign against the
Pompeians. Caesar writes the Commentaries of the Civil Bellum
46. Victory of Caesar in THAPSUS and
suicide of Cato at Utica. Triumph in Rome and ten-year dictatorship given to Caesar
46-45. Spanish campaign against the
Pompeians
45. Victory of Caesar at MUNDA (Spain) against
the children of Pompey. Caesar gets the dictatorship for life and other offices.
He plans constitutional and economic reforms as well as the calendar reform and
promotes public works and cultural activities
44. Caesar adopts Octavian. Killing
of Caesar (Ides of March)
43. WAR OF MODENA. Defeat of Anthony
and death of the consuls Hirtius and Pansa. Octavian becomes consul for the
first time at the age of twenty. SECOND TRIUMVIRATE: ANTHONY, OCTAVIAN and
LEPIDUS. Proscriptions of Anthony: killing of Cicero
42. Anthony defeat Brutus and Cassius
in the BATTLE OF PHILIPPI. Anthony gets the eastern provinces
41-40. Treaty of Brindisi. Octavian gets
closer to Anthony. Marriage between Anthony and Octavia, sister of Octavian
41-40. WAR OF PERUGIA
40. Treaty between Octavian and Anthony
in Brindisi. They divide the empire
38. Octavian marries Livia Drusilla
38-36. WAR AGAINST SIXTUS POMPEY
37. Treaty of Taranto. The triumvirate
is renewed
37-35. Failed expedition of Anthony
against the Parthians
36. Agrippa defeats Sextus Pompey in
Nauloco. Anthony marries Cleopatra
36-34. Campaign of Octavian in Illyria and
Dalmatia
35. Killing of Sextus Pompey
32. Anthony divorces Ottavia
31. BATTLE OF ACTIUM
30. Taking of Alexandria and suicide of
Anthony and Cleopatra. EGYPT BECOMES A ROMAN PROVINCE
28. Octavian is named princeps senatus and is consul for the
sixth time. First purge of the senate
27 BC - 14 AD AUGUSTUS (41)
27. Octavian was awarded the title of
"Augustus" and the proconsular power for ten years. It is the
beginning of the empire
Roma would have 92 emperors in 503 years, of
which about 40 reigned reigned for a substantial amount of time, not just for
few weeks. New system, given by Augustus, to the provinces. Foundation of Turin
(Taurinorum)
26-24. Augustus in Spain
25. THE KINGDOM OF GALATIA, ALREADY SUBJECT
TO ROME, BECOMES PART OF THE EMPIRE AND IS TRANSFORMED IN PROVINCE. Spain
divided into three provinces (Taragonese, Lusitania, Betica). The doors of the
Temple of Janus are shut. The Pax Augusta (Peace of Augustus) begins.
Foundation of Augusta Praetoria
23. Augustus waivers the eleventh
consulate, but receives the proconsular power of all provinces and the right of
tribunician veto ("tribunicia potestas") for life. Augustus’ nephew
Marcellus dies 19 year-old
21. Agrippa marries Julia, daughter of
Augustus. Phraates IV, king of the Parthians, returns to Tiberius the gold
eagle, the symbol of Rome, taken from Crassus at the Battle of Carrhae.
Augustus gets legislative powers. Gaius Caesar is born, son of Agrippa and
Julia
19. Augustus gets the office of "consular
imperium"
17. The Secular Ludi are celebrated.
Lucius is born, son of Agrippa and Julia. Augusto adpts his grandchildren Gaius
and Lucius Caesar, to be his future successors
16-13. Augustus in Gaul
16-15. NORICUM AND RETIA BECOME ROMAN PROVINCES
14-9. Campaign of occupation of Pannonia
(modern Hungary): led by Agrippa until the year 12 and then by Tiberius (12-9)
About 13. Augustus reorders Gaul into three
provinces: Lugdunensis, Aquitaine and Belgica
12. Augustus becomes Pontifex Maximus.
Lepidus and Agrippa die. Julia, Agrippa's widow and daughter of Augustus, marries
Tiberius
12-9. Drusus campaigns in German
9. Death of Drusus due to a fall from
a horse. Fire destroys much of the Roman Forum
9-6. Tiberius, fresh from the Pannonian
area, leads the Germanic campaign
8. Establishment of the annona prefecture. Second purge of the
Senate
6. Tiberius receive, for five years, the
"tribunicia potestas". Tiberius retires to Rhodes
2. Augustus gets the title of
"Pater Patriae", Father of the Homeland
2. Death of
Lucius, adopted son of Augustus
4. Death of
Gaius Caesar, adopted son of Augustus. Adoption of Tiberius as successor
4-6. War
campaign of Tiberius in Germany
6. JUDEA
BECOMES A ROMAN PROVINCE
6-9. Revolt in
Pannonia and Dalmatia
9. The
revolt in Illyria is eradicated after three years. Arminius slaughters the
three legions of Varus Quintilius in Germany (Forest of Teotoburg)
About 10. PANNONIA
AND DALMATIA BECOME ROMAN PROVINCES
14. Death of
Augustus.
14-37. TIBERIUS (23)
14-16. Campaign of
Germanicus in Germany
15. The Cherusci
are beaten in the plain of Idistaviso. Triumph of Germanicus in Rome for the
campaigns on the Rhine. INSTITUTION OF THE NEW PROVINCE OF MESIA incorporating
the PROVINCES OF MACEDONIA AND ACHAIA
17. Germanicus
travels in the East. INSTITUTION OF THE PROVINCES OF LOWER GERMANY AND UPPER GERMANY
as well as COMMAGENE and CAPPADOCIA
19.
Germanicus dies in Egypt
23. Death of
Drusus, son of Tiberius, poisoned by Sejanus, the praetorian prefect
25. At this
time the Romans have 25 legions, excluding the auxilia, auxiliary troops
26. Tiberius
retires to Capri. In Rome remains Sejanus
28. Rebellion
of the Frisoni
31. Fall of
Sejanus
37. Death of
Tiberius in Miseno
37-41. CALIGULA (4)
39. A
conspiracy against the emperor is severely repressed
40. Failure of
the expedition to Britain
41. New
conspiracy against Caligula: this time the emperor is killed
41-54. CLAUDIUS (13)
42. Work
begins for the construction of the Port of Ostia
43. Britain (Britannia)
is conquered
About
43. BRITANNIA AND LYCIA-PAMPHILIA BECOME ROMAN PROVINCES
46. THRACE
(TRACIA) BECOME A ROMAN PROVINCE
47. War
campaign of Corbulo against Frisians and Cauci
48. Claudius has
his wife Messalina killed for her immoral conduct
49. Claudius marrys
his niece Agrippina and adopts her son Nero. Expulsion of the Jewish people
from Rome
54. Death of
Claudius, perhaps poisoned by Agrippina, aged 64
54-68. NERO (14)
54-58. During
this period Nero, who had become emperor when he was only 16 years old, was
influenced by A. Burro and Seneca
55-64. War campaigns
of Domitius Corbulo in Armenia to fight the Parthians
55. Killing
of Britannicus, son of Claudius
58. Nero
begins to rule by himself. He proposes to abolish indirect taxes. Senatorial
opposition to his proposal. Corbulo occupies the cities Tigranocerta and
Artaxata
59-60. The status quo ante (pre existing situation)
is re-established in Armenia and a prince trusted by the Romans (Tigranes V) is
given ruling powers
62. Killing
of Burro and Octavia, Nero's wife
18 July
64. FIRE OF ROME. NERO ACCUSES THE CHRISTIANS OF BURNING ROME.
Reconstruction of the city. The denarius gets devalued
64. The Ponto
region, ruled by Polemon II, is annexed to the empire
65. Conspiracy
promoted by C. Piso. Death of Seneca, Petronius and Lucan
66. End of the
war against the Parthians: Tiridates is in Rome and he is crowned king of
Armenia again. Nero travels to Greece. A small rebellion breaks out in Judea.
C. Gallus, governor of Syria, marches on Judea to quell the revolt, but he is
badly defeated
68. A fire
destroys Capitoline Hill. Nero kills himself. The legions in Gaul acclaim
emperors Vindex, while those of Spain hail Galba. Rufo defeats Vindex. THE
SENATE CHOOSES GALBA AS EMPEROR. He rules
for a short period
Galba implements a reform of the army: he downgrades the soldiers of the
fleet (classiarii), which previously
had been promoted, by Nero, as Legionaries
69. CIVIL WAR
BETWEEN OTHO AND VITELLIUS
Otho has Galba assassinated and claims his rights to the throne with
support from the eastern legions and from the African provinces, but Vitellius also
proposes his candidacy supported by the western legions. Civil war breaks out
At Bedriaticus, near Cremona, the legions of Vitellius are victorious.
Suicide of Otho. It is a temporary victory because the armies of the East acclaim
Vespasian to counter Vitellius
The legates of Vespasian defeat the army of Vitellius near Cremona.
Killing of Vitellius
69-79. VESPASIAN (10)
69. Raid of the
Roxolani, Sarmatian population, across the Danube. They are intercepted in Mesia
by the Romans, and they are exterminated while retreating
69-70. Uprising of
G. Civilis (auxiliary commander and barbarian leader) in Germania Inferiore
(Lower Germany): two legions are massacred by Batavians auxiliary led by Civilis.
The revolt is quelled. In this period Rome has 29 legions
70. Vespasian
enters Rome. Tax reform of Vespasian: introduction of new taxes and increase of
old taxes. Lex De Imperio Vespasiani.
JERUSALEM TAKEN AND DESTROYED BY TITUS
71.
Vespasian's son Titus is associated to the empire
78. Agricola,
father in law of Tacitus, begins the campaign in Britain
79-81. TITUS (2)
79. The city
of Pompeii, an important wine center, is destroyed as a result of the eruption
of Mount Vesuvius
80. Martial
celebrates the inauguration of the Colosseum with a book of poems. A fire
breaks out in Rome
81-96. DOMITIAN (15)
83-85. Campaign
against the Germans: creation of a border line on the crest of the Taunus
Mountains. This is the result of the campaign of Domitian against the Catti, which
is ridiculed instead by Tacitus. The border line simplified the defense against
Upper Germany
85-86. FIRST
CAMPAIGN AGAINST DACIA (modern Romania)
85. The Dacians
of Decebal attack Mesia. The Romans reject them across the Danube River, but
during the chase suffer a serious defeat
88. SECOND
CAMPAIGN AGAINST DACIA. The defeat is redeemed with a counter-offensive that
culminates in the victory of Tapae. Uprising of A. Saturninus in Germany
92. War campaign
against the Sarmatians
About 94. Expulsion
of philosophers from Rome
96. Domitian
murdered following a conspiracy
96-98. NERVA (2)
97. V. Rufus
colleague of Nerva in the ordinary consulate
98-117. TRAJAN (19)
100. By the
will of Trajan the city of Timgad in Algeria is founded
SECOND
CENTURY AD
101-102. FIRST
DACIAN WAR: victorious expedition of Trajan
105. ARABIA BECOMES
A ROMAN PROVINCE
105-106. SECOND
DACIAN WAR
106.
Annexation of Arabia Nabatea
107. DACIA
BECOMES A ROMAN PROVINCE
About
114-117. TRAJAN AT WAR AGAINST THE PARTHIANS
113. Trajan goes
to Antioch
About 114-115. ARMENIA,
MESOPOTAMIA AND ASSYRIA ARE CONQUERED AND BECOME ROMAN PROVINCES
THE ROMAN EMPIRE HAS REACHED ITS MAXIMUM TERRITORIAL EXPANSION
The Roman Empire became the largest state western Eurasia has ever known,
and remained so for about 450 years: about 4,000 km (2,500 miles) from Scotland
to the Euphrates and about 2,000 km (1,250 miles) from the Rhine River to the
Atlas Mountains in Morocco
About
115-116. Conquest of the city of Ctesiphon, Baghdad today
117. Trajan
dies in Cilicia. Loss of Armenia, Mesopotamia and Assyria
117-138. HADRIAN (21)
117. Hadrian
gives up areas conquered by Trajan: of conquered territories in the East only
Armenia and Osroene remain
124-126.
Dacia is divided into three provinces
138-161. ANTONINUS PIUS (23)
He left the empire at the height of security and prosperity
161-169. LUCIUS VERUS
& 161-180. MARCUS AURELIUS (19)
161-167. Parthian
war conducted by Lucius Verus
165. THE
PROVINCE OF MESOPOTAMIA IS RECONSTITUTED
166. The army
of Lucius Verus repeates the feat of Trajan: it defeates the Parthians at
Ctesiphon and invades their territories, but none of this is followed by the
creation of a new border line. An epidemic plague breaks out in Italy
Quadi, Marcomanni and Iazgyans cross the Danube, defeate the troops at
the border and penetrate deep in the empire
167. Quadi and Marcomanni arrive to Aquileia
169. Death of
Lucius Verus
172. The
Marcomanni are sent out of the imperial territory and must accept a peace
treaty
174-75. Quadi and
Sarmatians are subjugated
177. Quadi and
Marcomanni resume hostilities, which end with the great victory of the Romans
on the Danube River in 179. Torture of Christians during the games in Lyon
180. Death of
Marcus Aurelius at Vindobona (Vienna)
180-192. COMMODUS (12)
He tries to maintain the silver content of the denarius coin. Through a
price control he tries to keep prices down
182-185. During
this period the government is run by the praetorian prefect T. Perennis until
his murder in 185
190. A fire
destroys much of Rome
191. Commodus
took the title of Hercules Roman, rebuilt and renamed the city of Rome as the
"Cologne commodiana"
192. Commodus is
assassinated in his bathroom in a conspiracy, of which his wife Marcia is also
part of
193. PERIOD OF
THE FIVE EMPERORS:
Once Commodus is killed Pertinax is proclaimed emperor
After ruling for three months he is killed by the Praetorian Guard
recognizing Didius Julianus as emperor,
but in other provinces other three emperors are acclaimed:
Septimius Severus (Pannonia), Pescennius Niger (Syria - East) and Clodius
Albinus in (Britannia - West)
193-211. SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS (18)
193. Septimius
Severus, proclaimed consul by Commodus in 190 and in command of the legions in
Pannonia, is proclaimed emperor in Carnuntum (Austria, west of Bratislava) and
arrives in Rome
He implements a reform of the Praetorian cohorts and a policy of purges
against the senatorial assembly. Born in Leptis Magna in North Africa, he speaks
Latin with a heavy Berber accent
194-195. Septimius
Severus occupies Antioch and Byzantium and crushes the claims of Pescennius
Niger
196.
Caracalla, son of Septimius Severus, is named Caesar
197. The army of
Clodius Albinus is defeated in Lyon
197-198. Parthian
campaign
198. With the
capture of Ctesiphon, the Parthian issue is resolved. Caracalla appointed
Augustus
THIRD
CENTURY AD
205. The praetorian
prefect Plautianus is killed by order of Caracalla who had married his daughter
Plautilla, later repudiated
211. Death of
Septimius Severus in Eboracum, Britannia (York)
211-217. CARACALLA (6)
212.
CONSTITUTIO ANTONINIANA (Edict of Caracalla): Roman citizenship is extended to
almost all the inhabitants of the Empire: the dediticii are excluded. Dediticii
are people residing in the free state in areas previously autonomous after
a spontaneous act of dedition or after a war. There are probably also tax
reasons motivating this historic edict
214. Further
devaluation of the silver denarius and creation of a new currency: the Antonian. Unsuccessful expedition
against the Parthians
217. Killing
of Caracalla in April as a result of a conspiracy probablyorganized by the
praetorian prefect Macrinus
217-222. Pope St.
Callistus, Roman
217-218. MACRINUS (1)
He reigns for 14 months. It is the first to become emperor without first
being a member of the Senate
218-222. ELAGABALUS (4)
He tries to impose in Rome the cult of the Syrian god Baal. Sun Temple on
Palatine Hill
222-230. Pope
Urban I
222-235. SEVERUS ALEXANDER (13)
About 224-226. The state
of Parthia (Arsacides) is overthrown by the Persians (Sassanids)
230. The
Persians of Ardashir attack the imperial territory of Mesopotamia
About
231-233. Campaign against Alamanni, Germans and Persians. In the East it is back
to the status quo ante, the situation
before hand
235. Killing
of Severus Alexander
235-238. MAXIMINUS THRAX (3)
Maximinus is from Thrace, a two meters tall stolid and strong giant, who,
in the confused situation of crisis, manages to seize power. He defeat the
Germans and goes to Pannonia to counter Sarmatians and Dacians
238. Revolt in
Africa, leading to the appointment of Gordian III. Massimino killed in Aquileia
238. GORDIAN I, GORDIAN II (Africa)
Emperors together only for 20 days
BALBINUS and PUPIENUS (Italy)
Co-emperors for three months
238-244. GORDIAN III (6)
He becomes emperor only 13 years old and reigns until 19. The government
of the empire is in the hands of capable regents belonging to the senatorial
aristocracy. Gordian III is a symbol of unity of the empire, gaining support of
the people
241. Gordian
III marries the daughter of a knight. Persians invade the north of Mesopotamia,
arriving as far as Antioch
About
242-243. Gordian III leads a counter-offensive against the Persians of Shapur I,
but not all the territories are recaptured
244. Killing
of Gordian III near Dura
244-249. PHILIP THE ARAB (5)
He keeps good relations with Christians and he was probably a Christian himself
About
244. Peace with Shapur I: Rome loses Edessa and the satellite state of Osroene
248.
Celebration of the millennial of Rome. Victorious campaign against the
barbarians on the Danube River. Following new invasions in the Balkans the
prefect Decius is sent to stop them. Victories of Decius
249. Battle of
Verona.
249-251. DECIUS (2)
Persecutions against the Christians. Edict of Decius imposes on subjects
of all faiths to sacrifice to the emperor
About
250-251. Decius campaign against the Goths who had invaded the Balkan Peninsula
251. Decius
dies during a battle at Abritto
251-253. TREBONIANUS GALLUS (2)
About 252. He associates
a son of Decius to the imperial power
A daughter of Decius marries Volusianus,
son of Trebonianus Gallo
Aemilianus, governor
of Mesia, defeats the Goths and is proclaimed emperor by his soldiers
252-253. The Gothic
invasion touches Asia Minor, reaching Ephesus
253. The three
emperors (?) meet in Terni. Soldiers acclaim Valerianus. Killing of Aemilianus,
Trebonianus Gallus and Volusianus
253-260. VALERIAN (7) and GALLIENUS
About 253.
Valerian associates Gallienus, his son, to the empire and entrusts the
West to him in the first case of division of an empire too large to be administered
efficiently from a single center
257-258. Valerian persecutes
the Christians
258. St.
Ciprianus dies
About
259. War campaign of Valerian against the Persians
260. Valerian
is caught by Sopore the king of the Sassanid Persians. He is used as a stool by
the Persian king to get on his horse. He is eventually killed, flayed, stuffed
and used as a trophy hanging in his palace
253-268. GALLIENUS (8)
Until 260 with his father Valerian, then alone for eight years.
Institutional reforms implemented by Gallienus
260. He gives
freedom of worship to Christians who are not persecuted again for 43 years until
Diocletian’s persecution in 303
262. Gallienus
defeats the Alamanni in Milan
About
267. The Goths are defeated in Thrace
268. Killing
of Gallienus in a conspiracy
268-270. CLAUDIUS II "The Gothic" (2)
He fights the Goths (nicknamed for this "Gothic") and the Alamanni
270. Claudius
II dies of plague by the Danube River
270. QUINTILLUS
Brother of Claudius II "The Gothic", ephemerally proclaimed emperor
in Aquileia. He reigns for only a few months, no one knows exactly how many
270-275. AURELIAN (5)
He increases the tax burden. The new antoninianus
coin is minted. He promoted the construction of the Aurelian Walls
271. Aurelian
defeats Marcomanni, Alemanni and Jutingi. He travels in the East, conquer the
city of Palmira and defeats the Persian army
274. Aureliano
defeats Tetricus
275. Aureliano
is killed in Byzantium
275-276. TACITUS (1)
276. Tacitus
dies in Asia Minor fighting against the Goths
276-282. AURELIUS PROBUS (6)
The Aurelian Walls are completed
278. He
defeats the Goths in Asia Minor
282. He
defeats the Germans in Gaul. Preparation of the campaign against the Persians.
Killing of Probus
282-283. CARUS (1)
283. Victories
over the Persians and killing of Caro at Ctesiphon
283-284. CARINUS and NUMERIAN
(2)
Sons of Carus. Carinus, the elder reigns on the West, Numerian, the
younger on the East. Rome burns in what it will later be known as the Fire of
Carinus
284. The army Diocletian
acclaims as emperor
285. Killing
of Numerian in Asia Minor. Diocletian clashes with Carinus, surviving son of
Carus. Killing of Carinus
284-305. DIOCLETIAN (21)
286.
Diocletian associates Maximian (286-305)
to the empire and moves the capital from Rome to Milan. Carausius, prefect of
the fleet, rebels in Britain and asks to be appointed emperor
293.
Implementation of the TETRARCHY. The two Augusti appoint two Caesars to rule
the empire: Diocletian associates Galerius in the East and Maximian associates Constantius
Chlorus in the West
Under the tetrarchy numerous reforms are implemented for the administration,
for the territorial divisions, for taxes
and for the army
295.
Diocletian with Constantine travels to Palestine and fought on the Danube River
against the Sarmatians
296. Costantius
Chlorus subsides the rebellions of Carausius and Allectus
296-297. Rebellion
in Egypt
297. The
Persians of Narses, aim for Antioch. Diocletian and Galerius defeat the
Persians. Edict against the Manichaeans
298. Peace of
Nisibis between Romans and Persians very advantageous to the Romans: the
borders in the eastern sector were expanded and made more defensible
FOURTH
CENTURY AD
301. Edict of
Diocletian fixing limits for prices
303-304. Edicts
against Christians
305.
Abdication of Maximian and Diocletian
Galerius (305-311)
(in the East) and Costantius Chlorus (305-306) (in the West) become the new Augusti
and appoint as Caesars Maximinus Daia and Severus
306. The
unexpected death of Constantius in Eboracum (York), determines the rise of his
son, Constantine, to the throne of the Empire
306-313. Period of
dynastic struggles especially between Constantine and Maxentius (306-312), son of Maximian,
appointed emperor in Rome by the Praetorian guards. Together with his father
Maximian, he has defeated Severus
306-337. CONSTANTINE (31) associated for 18 years with LICINIUS (306-324)
Emperor alone for 13 years. The silver coin is discontinued and and the
gold coin known as solid is
introduced
308. Suicide of
Maximian
311. Edict of
Tolerance of Galerius towards Christians. Death of Galerius
312. MASSENZIO
DEFEATED BY CONSTANTINE AT THE MILVIAN BRIDGE. Licinius defeats Maximinus Daia
in the East
313. EDICT OF
MILAN (or Edict of Tolerance) promulgated by Constantine and Licinius, by which
Christians get the freedom to practice their religion and are protected and
compensated for all damages suffered under Diocletian. Benefits are granted to
the church hierarchy
314. The
Council of Arles states that military service is not incompatible with those
who profess the Christian faith
324.
Constantine defeats Licinius and become sole emperor
325. First ECUMENICAL
COUNCIL OF NICEA, which condemns the doctrine of Arius
326. Constantine
ordered the killing of his wife and his son Crispus
330.
Constantine founds CONSTANTINOPLE. The centers of government together with
Constantinople are also TRIER, MILAN and ANTIOCH
334-397. St.
Ambrose
337. Death of
Constantine. The three sons take the title of Augustus
337-361. CONSTANTIUS II (24)
with CONSTANTINE II and CONSTANS
340. Death of
Constantine II
350. Constantius
II persecutes the Christians. Killing of Constans in a conspiracy. Constantius
Gallus is appointed Caesar in the East
About
350. Construction of the Mausoleum of Constantine (S. Costanza) in Rome
351. Killing
of Magnentius pretender to the throne:
Victory in MURSA MAIOR (in today Osijek in Croatia) of Constantius II
against Magnentius the bloodiest battle in the whole history of Rome.
Constantius II had an army of 60,000 men, 36,000 Magnentius: 54,000 dead total,
all soldiers of Rome. 30,000 on Constantius II side 24,000 on Magnentius’
354.
Constantine or Constance (daughter of Constantine) dies in Bithynia as she is returning
to Rome
355. Julian
appointed Caesar in Gaul
357. Julian
defeats the Alamanni of Chnodomar in the Battle of Strasbourg with 13,000 men
against 35,000 Alamanni: according to sources only 243 Romans soldiers and 4
officers die while losses of the Alamanni are more than 6,000
358. Julian
grants the Franks the right to settle in Tassandria in exchange for military
service
361-363. JULIAN THE APOSTATE (2) sole emperor
362. Julian
with an edict decrees the closure of schools run by Christian rhetoricians,
grammarians and philosophers
363. Julian
dies as a result of a wound received during the campaign against the Persians
363-364. JOVIAN (1) sole emperor
363. Peace
concluded with the Persians
364. Death of
Jovian in Galatia after only seven months of reign
364-375. VALENTINIAN I (11)
367.
Valentinian associates the sixteen year old son Gratian to the imperial
government
375. Death of
Valentinian
364-378. VALENS (14) August in
the East. He is the younger brother of Valentinian I and uncle of
Gratian
367-383. GRATIAN, son of Valentinian I. He is the first
emperor to give up the title of Pontifex Maximus
375-392. VALENTINIAN II (17),
son of Valentinian I
As Valentinian II is only four years old when he becomes emperor, the
regency is assumed by the mother Justina and therefore the young emperor is
under the tutelage of his elder brother Gratian already associated to the
throne in 367
Gratian and Justina move the imperial court to Milan where there is
immediately an argument with the Catholics of the city led by Bishop Ambrose, as
Justina is Aryan
376. Displacements
of populations in the face of pressure of the Huns from the East. The Thervingi
and Greuthungi Goths ask to enter Roman territory. First link in a chain of
events that would bring the fall of the Western Roman Empire 100 years later
378. Revolt of
the Goths mass crossing the Danube River in Bulgaria pressed by the Huns.
Valens impatiently does not wait aid from Gratian, he is defeated by the Goths
at Adrianople on August 9, 378 and dies in battle with at least 10,000 men of the
maybe 15,000 in his army
379-395. THEODOSIUS I (16) emperor
of the East and, in the last two years, sole emperor of the whole empire
Brave general, son of an officer who didtinguished himself in Britain at
the service of Valentinian
380. EDICT OF
THESSALONICA: Christianity becomes the state religion: “The others we consider
as people without intellect and we order to condemn them to the punishment of
infamy as heretics, and at their meetings we will accord the name of church;
they must be condemned by the divine vengeance first, and then from our pains,
to which we have been authorized by the Judge in Heaven.” Their pains were mass crucifixions
382.
Theodosius convenes the second ecumenical council at Constantinople. The
emperor Gratian removes from the curia in Rome the Altar of Victory, which had
been placed there by Augustus. Peace treaty of Theodosius with the Goths after
six years of war allowing him to settle in Mesia
383. Gratian
dies assassinated as he prepares to fight against Magnus
Maximus, proclaimed emperor by the legions of Britain
387. Magnus
Maximus passes the Alps coming to threaten Milan. The emperor and his mother
seek refuge in the east at the court of Theodosius I, who marries Galla, sister
of Valentinian II
388. Magnus
Maximus is defeated by Theodosius when he is on the verge of conquering Italy
Valentinian II finds himself emperor of all the West, at least nominally,
as he is actually under the protection of the magister
equitum Arbogast, after the death of his mother. The relationship
between the emperor and his tutor are always difficult
390. Massacre
of Thessalonica ordered by Theodosius and subsequent public penance of the
emperor
391. EDICT OF
THEODOSIUS, practical implementation of the Edict of Thessalonica, according to
which pagan rites and sacrifices are prohibited and pagan temples are destroyed
392. Edict of
Constantinople proclaims the death penalty for those involved in pagan rites
May 15,
392. Valentinian II dies in Vienne, in Gaul, in mysterious circumstances, his
body found hanging from a tree
Theodosius is lord of the whole empire. Arbogast, who was considered by
many involved in the death of Valentinian II, has the usurper Flavius Eugenius appointed
augustus by the legions of Gaul, with the support of the Senate of Rome, which
sees in him the chance to oppose the growing power of the Catholic Church
393.
Theodosius stops the age-old Olympic Games interpreting them as a pagan
festival
394. Flavius Eugenius is defeated by
Theodosius in the BATTLE OF THE FRIGIDO and the empire has again a single
master
395. Death of
Theodosius in Milan
DIVISION OF THE EMPIRE INTO EASTERN EMPIRE AND WESTERN EMPIRE (two INDEPENDENT
empires) between ARCADIUS (seventeen-year-old) in the east and HONORIUS
(ten-year-old) in the west
ALARIC, HEAD OF GOTI, INVADES ILLYRIA
395-408. ARCADIUS EMPEROR OF THE EAST (13)
395-423. HONORIUS EMPEROR THE WEST (23)
FIFTH
CENTURY AD
402. Stilicho
defeates Alaric at Pollenzo and in 403 at Verona
404. The
capital is moved to Ravenna
405. Radagaiso
with an army of barbarians from various areas, comes to Italy. Stilico defeats
him under the walls of Florence
408. Killing
of Stilico
408-450. THEODOSIUS II EMPEROR
OF THE EAST (42) the longest reign in the history of the emperors
410. ALARIC,
HEAD OF VISIGOTHS, OCCUPIES ROMA and then travels to the south of Italy where
he dies near Cosenza
About
410. The Visigoths appoint as successor Ataulf, brother of Alaric, who
marries Galla Placidia, sister of Honorius
414. Rutilio
Namaziano appointed prefect of Rome
423. COSTANTIUS III EMPEROR
OF THE WEST
425-455. VALENTINIAN III (30)
EMPEROR OF THE WEST a year less than Constantine, the third reign for longevity.
He is proclaimed emperor when he is only 6 years old. He marries Licinia
Eudoxia, daughter of Theodosius II
430. Death of
St. Augustine
431. COUNCIL
OF EPHESUS
440-461.
Pontificate of Leo the Great, from Tusculum
450-457. MARCIAN (7) EMPEROR OF THE EAST
451. Council
of Chalcedon: condemnation of Monophysitism. Ezio defeats Attila at the Raudian
Fields
452. Attila
enters in Italy
452-453. The Huns
sacks Aquileia, come to Milan and go as far as Verona
453. Attila
dies
454. Killing
of Ezio
455. The
Vandals of Genseric, from Africa, carry out the SACK OF ROME. Murder of
Valentinian III
457-461. MAJORIAN (4)EMPEROR OF THE WEST
457-474. LEO I (17)EMPEROR OF THE EAST
461-465. LIBIUS SEVERUS (4)EMPEROR
OF THE WEST
Other emperors for a short time in this troubled period were:
Petronius
Maximus, Avitus, Olybrius and Glycerius
467-472. ANTHEMIUS (5) EMPEROR OF THE WEST, appointed by the
Emperor of the East, Leo I
467. Leo I
organizes an expedition against the Vandals
468-483.
Pontificate of Simplicius, from Tivoli
468. Failure
of the naval expedition of the "Byzantine Armada" with about 1,100
ships and 50,000 soldiers against the Vandals: defeat at Carthage mainly due to
some ships on fire sent towards the Roman fleet
472. Killing
of Anthemius
473-475. JULIUS NEPOS (2) EMPEROR
OF THE WEST. He is also appointed by Leo I
474-491. ZENO EMPEROR OF THE EAST
475-476. ROMOLUS AUGUSTULUS (1) EMPEROR
OF THE WEST. He is appointed by his father Orestes (commander of the Italian
army). Odoacer controls the federated barbarians
476. ODOACER DEPOSES ROMOLO AUGUSTOLO. END OF THE
ROMAN EMPIRE OF THE WEST
491-518. ANASTASIUS EMPEROR OF THE EAST
SIXTH
CENTURY AD
518-527. JUSTIN I EMPEROR
OF THE EAST
527-565. JUSTINIAN (38) EMPEROR OF THE EAST
During his rule there is a golden period for the empire, in civil
organization, economic prosperity and military strength, with the reconquest of
some territories of the West, thanks to the campaigns of Belisarius
He promoted the construction of remarkable buildings such as the church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople
His greatest legacy is the collection of written laws later known as the CORPUS JURIS CIVILIS, a homogeneous
compilation of Roman law that is still today the BASIS OF CIVIL LAW, the legal system
most common in the world
533.
Cassiodorus holds the post of praetorian prefect
535-553. GREEK-GOTHIC
WAR
536. Rome was
taken by the Byzantine general Belisario
546. The
Ostrogoths of Totila as part of the war greek-Gothic conquered and sacked Rome.
During the siege the Goths cut the aqueducts that still work. Rome was again
taken up by Belisario
549. Rome was
again besieged and conquered by Totila
552. Narses,
who had since replaced Belisario, finally tore Rome from the hands of the
Ostrogoths
Rome was under the BYZANTINE GOVERNMENT for about 200 years (553/751)
589. Council
of Toledo, Spanish national synod during which the Visigoth Iberian kingdom abandoned
the Arian heresy
590-604. Pope
Gregory the Great, Roman
756. Rome
besieged by the Lombards, the Franks intervene in Italy from north
774.
Charlemagne defeats the Lombard kingdom and goes to Rome for the first time
800. Charlemagne
crowned emperor in St. Peter’s Basilica
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