HISTORY OF ROME

 

LATIUM ROMAN FORBEARS (Several centuries before Rome's official founding.  May have come from Troy)

 

DATE

 

BC 753

Romulas, legendary founder of Rome.

BC 714

Numa Pompilius.  First religious lawgiver. (mythical)

BC 721 ASSYRIANS

 

BC 672

Tullus Hostilius, the Conqueror of Alba Longa of the Latin League.  Killed by lightening.

BC 640

Ancus Martius, the second religious lawgiver.  Conquered more Latin towns, which became plebians of the king.  Bridged the Tiber.  Territory extended to the sea on the west.

BC 616

Lucius Tarquinius Priscus (Tarquin the Elder), The Builder.  Assassinated by Ancus Martius. Forum and the Circus Maximus erected.

606 BABYLONIANS

 

BC 578

Servius Tullius.  The Civil Lawgiver. Etruscan general.  Son-in-law to Tarquin Elder.  Established the Comitia Centuriata.  enclosed the Seven Hills.  Assassinated by Tarquin the Proud.

BC 538  PERSIANS

 

BC 534

Lucius Tarquinius Superbus (Tarquin the Proud)--The Tyrant,  Forced to abdicate the throne after his son, Sextus caused Lucretia to commit suicide.

 

 

 

REPUBLICAN ROME

(BC 508 TO BC 27)      

 

 

CONSULS  

(Two equal magistrates ruling)

 

BC 508    Lucius Junius Brutus--The Elder, a Plebian. 

Killed in battle by Aruns, son of Tarquin the Proud.

Lucius Tarquinius Collatinus, a Patrician

 

 

Period of war with the Etruscans who were trying to reinstate Tarquin the Proud.

 

 

DICTATORS

(Chosen by the Senate with absolute power when there was a state of emergency).

BC 494.

 

TRIBUNES OF THE PLEBS

Gained by Plebeians seceding to Mons Sacer (Sacred Mount).

Treaty made with the Patricians.

BC 452.

 

DECEMVIRS       

(Ten commissioners to revise the constitution)

BC 449

 

CONSULAR TRIBUNES,

Accomplished by second plebeian revolt to Mons Sacer. 

Caused by Patrician, Appius Claudius, attempting to make Virginia a slave.

 

BC 390

 

MILITARY TRIBUNES

 Resulted from third revolt of Plebs to Hill of  Janiculum.

BC 390

Rome burned by the Gauls

BC 343   

First Samnite War for conquest of Italy. (Samnites were a Sabine race)

BC 339

Great Latin War

BC 336-324

Alexander the Great of Greece

BC 333   

GREEKS Jerusalem 333

BC 326-304

Second Samnite War.

BC 310-306   

Appius encourages building the Appian Way and aqueducts.

BC 298-290

Third Samnite War.

BC 286           

Plebeians again secede to Mount Janiculum

BC 283-264

War with Tarentum

BC 264-133

PUNIC WARS  between Rome and Carthage

BC 263-241

First Punic War. Rome invades Sicily. Fleets built to attack Carthage in  North Africa.

BC 225-222

Conquest of Cisalpine Gaul.

BC 218-201

Second Punic War.  Hannibal crosses the Alps from Gaul to invade         Italy

BC 214-205

First war with Philip V of Macedon

BC 200-196

Second war with Philip V of Macedon

BC 191-190

War with Antichus The Great of Syria.

BC 171-168

War with Perseus of Macedon.  Decisive battle of Pydna ended Macedonian Kingdom

BC 149-146

Third Punic War.  Carthage totally destroyed.

 

133-27

 

CIVIL WARS AND FALL OF THE REPUBLIC

BC 134- 

First Servile War.  Revolt of slaves in Sicily.

BC 121- 

Death of Caius Sempronius Graccus.  End of people's freedom.  Aristocratic total control.

BC 111- 

Jugurthine War.

BC 107-101

Invading Teutones and Cimbri destroyed.

BC 102-99

Second Servile War in Sicily.

BC 90-88

The Social War. (Revolt of the Italians)

BC 88-           

First Mithridatic War.

BC 74-63

Second Mithridatic War.

 

John Hyracanus II became High Priest and placed on the throne of Judea .

BC 63     

Julius Caesar becomes Pontifix Maximus (Religious Superintendent)

BC 63

Pompeii conquers Jerusalem.

BC 59

First Triumvirate (Caesar, Pompeii and Crassus).

BC 48     

Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon from Gaul to invade Italy.  Defeated Pompeii.

Caesar defeats Ptolemy XIII of Egypt and places Cleopatra, his mistress, on throne.

BC 45

Caesar made dictator for life by the Senate with title of Imperator.

BC 44

Caesar assassinated by Brutus and his band.

BC 43

Second Triumvirate. (Octavius Caesar, Antony and Lepidus. Cleopatra seduces Mark Antony.

BC 36

Pompeii and Lepidus defeated by Octavius

BC 31

Battle of Actium. Antony and Cleopatra defeated.  They commit suicide (BC 30).

 

 

BC 27-14 AD

 

IMPERIAL ROME

 

BC 27

Octavius conferred title of Augustus (the Divine) and Imperator  (Emperor) by Senate.

AD 14-37

Tiberius: Step-son of Augustus.  Reign of terror instituted.  Smothered with bed-clothes

AD 37-41

Caligula or Caius Caesar: Tyrant.  Incest with Drusilla.  Seemed totally mad.  Assassinated.

AD 41-54

Claudius:  Half-witted.  Elevated by the Praetorian Guard.  Poisoned by Agrippina, mother of Nero.

AD 43

Britain invaded

AD 54-68

Nero: Burned Rome.  Murdered his mother, two wives and son of his step-father, Cladius.  (lst Persecution)

AD 68-69

Galba: Overthrown by Otho and the Praetorian Guards and killed.

AD 69

Otho: Committed suicide after defeat by Vitellius.

AD 69

Vitellius: Glutton. Troops rebelled.  Killed and cast into the Tiber.

AD 69-79

Vespasian: Troops made him emperor while fighting the Jews. Died  of an illness.

AD 79-81

Titus: (son) General who destroyed Jerusalem.  Died of fever.

AD 79

Mt. Vesuvius destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum.

AD 81-96

Domitian: (brother) The “fly-killer.” Jealous of general Julius Agricola.  Assassinated by wife.

        Last of 12 Caesars.  (2nd Persecution)

 

ROME TRIUMPHANT

(Most prosperous and peaceful period)

 

AD 96- 98

Nerva: Old man. Adopted Trajan. First of the Five Good Emperors. Died of a fever.

AD 98-117

Trajan: Highest point in the empire. Died in Cilicia. From Crete. Adopted Hadrian. 3rd persecution.

AD 117-138

Hadrian: Barcocheban Jewish revolt quashed (131-135). Died slowly of disease. 4th persecution of Christians.

AD 138-161

Antoninus Pius: First Emperor to protect Christians. Most peaceful and prosperous time in Roman History.

AD 161-180

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus: Philosopher. 5th persecution of Christians.

 

DECLINE OF PAGAN CONTROL. CIVIL UPHEAVAL

 

BLOODSHED

 

AD 180-193

Commodus: 19 years old. Murdered by concubine in drunken sleep. Noted for his strength.

AD 192  

Pertinax: Killed by Praetorian Guard. Good man.

AD 193

Julianus: Bought the throne at auction.

AD 193  

Septimus Severus: Marched on Rome & took power. Son, Caracalla attempted    assassination. Suicide overeating.

 

 

 

FAMINE & WANT

AD 211-217

Caracalla and Geta: Brothers. Geta murdered by Caracalla in mothers arms. Caracalla went mad. Assassinated.

AD 217

Macrinus: Coward. Had Caracalla killed. Was killed in rebellion by troops.

AD 218-222

Haliogabalus (Bassianus): Syrian. Age 14. High-priest. Extravagant. Killed by soldiers.

AD 222-235

Alexander Severus: Good ruler. Protected Christians. Killed by his soldiers

AD 235-238

Maximin: 8 ½ feet tall. Fantastic strength. Killed by his soldiers. 6th persecution

AD 238  

The two Gordians (father and son): Killed by supporter of Maximin

AD 238

Pupeinus and Balbinus: Assassinated by the Praetorian Guards.

AD 238-244

Gordian III: Age 12. Dominated by Timesitheus, the Praetorian Perfect. Poisoned by Philip.

AD 244-249

Philip the Arabian: Killed Gordian. Defeated by Decius and killed.

 

PLAGUE AND DEATH

 

AD 249-251

Decius: Reluctant Emperor. Died in marsh surrounded by Goths. 7th general persecution.

AD 251-253

Gallus: with Decius (son) and Hostilianus as colleagues. Killed by troops. 8th persecution. Plague.

AD 253  

Aemilianus: Slain in battle by Valerian.

AD 253-260

Valerian: Old man. Franks, Goths and New Persians pressed in. Captured by Persians and flayed after seven years by Sapor and skin put up on wall of Persian temple. 9th persecution.

AD 260-268

Gallienus: Invasions of the empire. (Son)  Time of the Thirty Tyrants. Killed by his soldiers.

AD 268-270

Claudius II: Drove back the barbarians. Died in the plague.

AD 270  

Quintillius: (Brother) Killed by army after 17 days.

AD 270-275

Aurelian: Routed the barbarians and restored the empire. New wall around Rome. Assassinated.

AD 275-276

Marcus Claudius Tacitus: Age 75. Died in Cappadocia after 7 months.

AD 276  

Florian: (brother). Killed by his soldiers after 3 months.

AD 276-282

Probus: Drained the marshes. Assassinated by soldiers. Drove back the barbarians.

AD 282-283

Carus: Two sons with him in rule. Died or disease or struck by lightening in New Persian campaign.

AD 283-284

Numerian and Carinus: (sons) slain separately.

 

REORGANIZATION and ERA OF MARTYRS

Power transferred from military to Imperial, divided between Augusti.  10th persecution

 

284 Diocletian

(Title: Augustus)

 in the East

 

 

 

285 Maximian

(Title: Augustus)

 in the West

 

 

 

287 Cerousius

(Title: Augustus)

 

(continued)

292 Constantius

(Title: Caesar)

(continued)

292 Galerius

(Title:Caesar)

293 assassinated

 

305 resigned

305 (Augustus)

305  resigned

305  (Augustus)

305 Severus

(Title: Caesar)

305  Maximin

(Title: Caesar)

306  Constantine I

306 died

 

(continued)  

306 (Augustus)

(continued)

(continued)

307  Maxentius

307  returned

(continued)

307  suicide

307  Licinius

(continued)

(continued)

312  drowned

310  executed

311  died

322  executed

314  suicide

 

322-364                             PAGANISM'S POLITICAL FALL / RISE OF CHRISTIANIZATION

325 Nicean Council called by Constantine. “Christ is God.”

330 Capital moved to Byzantium, Constantinople (or New Rome)

337 Constantine's baptism and death.  His three sons take control.

 

331-360   Constantius II. (died)

331-350  Constans

      (youngest-- killed by Magnentius)

331-340 Constantine II

                (oldest killed by Constans)

 

361-363 Julian the Apostate: Tried to revive paganism. Attempted to rebuild the Jerusalem temple. Killed by an arrow.

363-364 Jovian: Suffocated by fumes from charcoal burner.

 

FALL OF THE WESTERN EMPIRE

 

RISE OF THE EASTERN EMPIRE

364-375    Valentinian I: Died of burst blood vessel.

364-378   Valens: Over Eastern Empire. Permitted the Visgoths to find refuge from Huns by crossing Danube.

375-383   Gratian:

378-395   Theodosius the Great: Subdued the Goths and    completed the triumph over paganism.

  Killed in revolt of Maximus.

381          Council of Constantinople on Holy Spirit.

383-392   Maximus: Slain by Theodosius

390-         Theodosius repents after interdict for murder.

392          Valentinian II: Murdered by Arbogastes.

 

392-394   Eugenius: (Imperial secretary) killed by                                                 troops.

 

395-423   Honorius: Died. Stilicho, his administrator.

395-408   Arcadius:

410           Rome sacked by Alaric the Visgoth 3 times.

408-450    Theodosius II: (8 yrs old)

bribed Huns to withdraw. Drowned.

423-455   Valentian III: Assassinated by Petronius Maximus.

 

429           Vandals. conquered Spain and North Africa

 

431           Council of Ephesus on Depravity of man..

 

451          Council of Chalcedon on Humanity of Christ

450-453   Pulcheria: (sister) Married Marcian.

451           Attila the Hun defeated at Chalons.

 

452           Attila devastates Northern Italy.

                 Pope Leo persuades him to spare Rome.

453-457   Marcian: Married Pulcheria.

455            Petronius Maximus:

   Killed in Vandal attack.

 

455           Vandals under Geneseric. sack Rome

 

455-456    Avitus:

   Deposed by Count Ricimer.

 

457-461    Marjorian:

   Deposed by Ricimer.

457-474   Leo I: Thracian. Anthemius and Julius Nepos established in the West  through him.

461-465    Libius Severus:

 

467-472    Anthemius:

   Deposed by Ricimer.

 

472-473    Olybrius:

 

473-474    Glycerius:

   Deposed by Leo I of eastern empire.

 

474-475    Julius Nepos:

   Deposed by Orestes

474         Leo II., the Younger

475-476    Romulus Augustulus:

   Deposed by Odoacer.

474-491 Zeno: the Isaurian.

 

Eastern Roman Empire after fall of the West

491-518

Anistasius I., the Illyrian.

518-527

Justin I

527-565

Justinian I

565-578

Justin II

578-582

Tiberius II

582-602

Maurice, the Cappadocian.

602-610

Phocas

610-641

Heraclius

641

Constantine III., Heracleonus

641

Heracolonas

641-668

Constans II

668-685

Constantine IV., Pogonatus.

685-695

Justinian II (deposed).

695-698

Leontius

698-705

Tiberius III., Aspimar.

705-711

Justinian II. (restored)

711-713

Philippicus Bardanes

713-715

Anastasius II

715-717

Theodosius III

 

Isauric Race

717-741

Leo III., the Isaurian.

741-775

Constantine V

775-780

Leo IV

780-797

Constantine VI. and Irene.

797-802

Irene, Empress.

802-811

Nicephorus I., Logothetes.

811

Stauracius

811-813

Michael I

813-820

Leo V., the Armenian.

820-829

Michael II., the Stammerer.

829-842

Theophilus

842-867

Michael III., Porphyrogenitus.

 

Macedonian Race

867-886

Basil I., the Macedonian.

886-912

Leo VI., the Philosopher.

911-913

Alexander and Constantine VII., Porphyrogenitus.

913-959

Constantine VII

919-944

Romanus Lecapenus, co-emperor with his sons.

920

Christopher and his sons.

928

Stephen and Constantine VIII.

945

Constantine VIII. (alone)

959-963

Romanus II

963-969

Nicephorus II., Phocas.

969-976

John I., Zimisces.

976-1025

Basil II. and Constantine IX

1025-1028

Constantine VIII (?)

1028-1034

Romanus III., Argyropulus.

1034-1041

Michael IV., the Paphiagonian.

1041-1042

Michael V., Calaphates.

1042-1055

Constantine X., Monomachus, and Zoe

1055-1053

Theodora

1056-1057

Michael VI., Stratiotes.

 

The Comneni.

1057-1059

Isaac I., Comnenus.

1059-1067

Constantine XI., Ducas.

1067-1071

Eudocia and Romanus Diogenes.

1071-1078

Michael VII., Parapinaces.

1078-1081

Nicephorus III

1081-1118

Alexius I., Comnenus.

1118-1143

John Commenus.

1143-1180

Manuel I., Commenus.

1180-1183

Alexius II., Commenus.

1183-1185

Andronicus I., Comnenus.

1185-1195

Isaac II., Angelus Comnenus.

1195-1203

Alexius III., Angelus, the Tyrant.

1203-1204

Isaac II. and Alexius IV.

1204

Alexius V., Ducas.

 

 

French, or Latin Emperors.

 

Greek Emperors at Nice.

1204

Baldwin I. (of Flanders).

1206-1222

Theodore Lascaris I.

1206

Henry I.

1222-1254

John III Ducas Vataces.

1216

Peter de Courtenay.

1254-1258

Theodore Lascaris II.

1221

Robert de Courtenay.

1258-1261

John IV Lascaris.

1228

Baldwin II. (Latin dynasty ended in 1261)

1261

Michael Palaeologus.

 

 

 

 

The Greek Empire Restored at Constantinople under the Palaeologi.

1261-1282

Michael VII., Palaeologus.

1282-1328

Andronicus II., the Elder

1328-1341

Andronicus III., the Younger.

1341-1347

John Palaeologus I (deposed)

1347-1354

John Cantacuzene

1355-1376

John Palaeologus (restored)

1376-1379

Andronicus IV

1379-1391

John V (restored)

1390

John VII

1391-1425

Manuel II., Palaeologus.

1425-1448

John Palaeologus II

1448-1453

Constantine Palaeologus XIV. Killed and empire ended by the Turks, 1453