Curated timeline

Ancient Rome

Witness the rise and fall of one of history's greatest empires. From the legendary founding by Romulus to the Republic's expansion, the might of the Caesars, and the eventual collapse of the West.

• Founding of Rome (753 BCE)

  Romulus founds the city of Rome on the Palatine Hill, establishing the first settlement that would become a great empire.

• Reign of Romulus (753-716 BCE)

  Romulus becomes the first King of Rome, establishing the monarchy and many foundational Roman institutions.

• Reign of Numa Pompilius (715-673 BCE)

  Second king of Rome establishes Roman religious traditions, calendar system, and peaceful governance principles.

• Reign of Tarquinius Priscus (616-579 BCE)

  Fifth king of Rome begins major building projects including the Circus Maximus and expansion of the city.

• Reign of Tarquinius Superbus (534-509 BCE)

  The last king of Rome rules as a tyrant, leading to his overthrow and the end of the Roman monarchy.

• Establishment of Roman Republic (509 BCE)

  Romans overthrow the monarchy and establish the Republic with consuls, senate, and democratic institutions.

• Treaty with Carthage (508 BCE)

  Rome signs its first international treaty with Carthage, marking its emergence as a regional power.

• First Secession of the Plebs (494 BCE)

  Common citizens withdraw from Rome demanding political rights, leading to creation of the Tribune office.

• Twelve Tables Created (451-450 BCE)

  Rome creates its first written code of laws, establishing legal principles that influence law for centuries.

• Conquest of Veii (396 BCE)

  Rome conquers the Etruscan city of Veii after a long siege, marking its first major territorial expansion.

• Gallic Sack of Rome (390 BCE)

  Celtic warriors under Brennus capture and sack Rome, traumatizing the Romans and spurring military reforms.

• First Samnite War (343-341 BCE)

  Rome begins wars against the Samnites, starting its systematic conquest of central Italy.

• Appian Way Built (312 BCE)

  Construction begins on the Appian Way and Rome's first aqueduct, revolutionizing transportation and water supply.

• First Punic War (264-241 BCE)

  Rome fights Carthage for control of Sicily, emerging as the dominant Mediterranean naval power.

• Second Punic War Begins (218-201 BCE)

  Hannibal crosses the Alps and invades Italy, beginning Rome's greatest existential crisis.

• Battle of Cannae (216 BCE)

  Hannibal inflicts Rome's worst military defeat, killing over 50,000 Romans in a single battle.

• Battle of Zama (202 BCE)

  Scipio Africanus defeats Hannibal in Africa, ending the Second Punic War and Carthaginian power.

• Third Punic War (149-146 BCE)

  Rome completely destroys Carthage, salting the earth and selling survivors into slavery.

• Destruction of Corinth (146 BCE)

  Rome destroys Corinth in the same year as Carthage, establishing complete dominance over Greece.

• Death of Tiberius Gracchus (133 BCE)

  Tribune Tiberius Gracchus is killed trying to redistribute land, beginning the Roman Republic's crisis period.

• Marian Military Reforms (107-100 BCE)

  Marius transforms Roman legions into professional armies loyal to commanders rather than the state.

• Social War (91-88 BCE)

  Italian allies revolt demanding citizenship rights, ultimately gaining Roman citizenship for all Italy.

• Marius vs Sulla Civil War (88-82 BCE)

  First major Roman civil war between Marius and Sulla establishes precedent for military commanders seizing power.

• Spartacus Slave Rebellion (73-71 BCE)

  Gladiator Spartacus leads the largest slave uprising in Roman history, requiring multiple legions to suppress.

• First Triumvirate (60 BCE)

  Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus form secret alliance to dominate Roman politics and bypass the Senate.

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