Roman Empire Timeline

By mkeyser02
  • 27 BCE

    The Foundation of the Roman Empire

    The Roman Empire is founded when Augustus becomes the first emperor of Rome in 27 BC. He helped shape the empire by reforming Rome's laws, securing the city's borders, and starting vast building projects. Because of Augustus, the Roman Empire thrived for over 1500 years.
  • Period: 27 BCE to 180

    Roman Empire

  • Period: 27 BCE to 68

    The Emperors in the Julio-Claudian Dynasty

    The emperors who ruled during the Julio-Claudian Dynasty include Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero.
  • Period: 27 BCE to 14

    Augustus

    Augustus came to power after Julius Caesar's death and the Battle of Actium. He made himself emperor and founded the Roman Empire. Augustus ruled until he died in Nola, Italy in 14 AD.
  • 19 BCE

    The Publication of the Aeneid

    The Aeneid was an epic poem about the Trojans and Greeks and a man named Aeneas after the Trojan War. This was published shortly after the author Vergil’s death.
  • 4 BCE

    The Birth of Jesus Christ

    Jesus Christ, our Savior, is born.
  • Period: 14 to 37

    Tiberius and Armenia

    Tiberius led an army into Armenia to try to capture it and expand the Roman Empire, but he did not succeed.
  • Period: 14 to 37

    Tiberius

    Tiberius came to power after Augustus' death in 14 AD because he was an heir. He ruled until he died in Miseno, Italy in 37 AD. His death was caused by a shoulder injury from a javelin - he became sick and bedridden, lapsed into a coma, and died.
  • 15

    Pontifex Maximus

    Emperor Tiberius becomes pontifex maximus - chief priest.
  • Period: 27 to 180

    The Pax Romana

    The Pax Romana, or Roman Peace, was a period of prosperity and peace throughout the Roman Empire. This was initiated by Augustus and continued through the emperors who followed.
  • 32

    The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ

    Jesus Christ suffers and dies on a cross on Calvary Hill in Jerusalem.
  • Period: 37 to 41

    Caligula

    Caligula came to power after Tiberius' death in 37 AD. The Praetorian Guard declared support for him when Tiberius was dying. The Roman people grew to hate Caligula and was stabbed to death by a group of guardsmen. He was dumped into a shallow grave, and his wife and daughter were murdered too.
  • Period: 37 to 41

    Caligula Supervises Construction Projects

    Caligula supervised many construction projects in Rome, including various temples, new roads and channels, and his palace. He also constructed two large ships which ended up becoming the largest vessels of the ancient Roman Empire.
  • Period: 37 to 41

    Caligula and Government

    Caligula abolished certain taxes and helped those injured or harmed by Acts of God. He also restored the practice of democratic elections.
  • Period: 41 to 54

    Claudius

    Claudius, having no military experience, reluctantly rose to power after Caligula's assassination in 41 AD. He suddenly died in October 54 AD, believed to have been poisoned by his wife Agrippina.
  • Period: 41 to 54

    Claudius Expands the Roman Empire

    In addition to the province of Britannia, Claudius also added Mauretania, Thrace, and Lycia to the Roman Empire.
  • 43

    Claudius' Military Campaign

    In 43 AD, Claudius undertook a military campaign for the conquest of Britain and it succeeded - Britain became a province of the Roman Empire.
  • Period: 54 to 68

    Nero

    Nero came to power in 54 AD after his mother, Agrippina, poisoned his father, Claudius. Because he was only 16 years old, his mother acted as regent; however, once Nero gained full power, he shunned his mother from his life because he did not want to share any power. After the senate decided to flog him to death in 68 AD, Nero committed suicide instead.
  • 64

    The Great Fire of Rome

    Only four of the 14 districts of Rome were untouched, and hundreds of people died while thousands became homeless. According to History.com, there is no evidence that proves that emperor Nero was the one who caused the fire; in fact, he opened his palace as a shelter.
  • 64

    After the Great Fire of Rome

    Following the destruction of Rome from the fire, Nero exhausted the Roman treasury by rebuilding the city around his Golden House complex and a 100 foot statue of himself.
  • Period: 68 to 68

    C. Iulius Vindex

    Gaius Julius Vindex revolted against Nero because he knew that he didn't have widespread support, so he offered the throne to Galba instead.
  • Period: 68 to 68

    L. Clodius Macer

    Lucius Clodius Macer, who had risen against Nero's rule in North Africa, wanted the throne when he heard of his death. Galba got rid of him to make sure he himself got the throne.
  • Period: 68 to 69

    Galba

    Galba rose to power in 68 AD when Gaius Julius Vindex offered the throne to him. Otho conspired with the praetorian guard to rid of Galba so he could take the throne. In January 69 AD, several praetorians murdered him in the Roman Forum and presented his head to Otho in their camp.
  • Period: 68 to 69

    C. Nymphidius Sabinus

    Nymphidius Sabinus was the commander of the praetorian guard and bribed his men to abandon their allegiance for Nero. Galba didn't agree with this, so he dismissed and replaced him. He revolted against his dismissal, but was then killed.
  • 69

    The Year of Four Emperors

    Following Nero's suicide in 68 AD, four emperors ruled Rome in one year. These emperors were Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian.
  • Period: 69 to 69

    Otho

    Otho came to power after the praetorian guard killed Galba in the Roman Forum in 69 AD. Vitellius wanted power too, so he sent his troops to fight Otho's troops. After hearing that his troops lost, he stabbed himself to death, possibly to prevent a civil war. He only ruled for three months, but he exceeded the people's expectations.
  • Period: 69 to 69

    Vitellius

    Vitellius came to power in 69 AD after his troops defeated Otho's troops. The Roman people became extremely offended by his outrageous behavior. At the Second Battle of Cremona, Vitellius was utterly defeated. He tried to hide in his palace when the Danubian troops were storming through it. Eventually they found him, dragged him through the streets of Rome, tortured, killed, and thrown into the Tiber River.
  • Period: 69 to 79

    Vespasian

    After Otho's suicide, Vespasian wanted the throne and had to fight over it against Vitellius. Near the end of 69 AD, Vitellius was killed and Vespasian was confirmed as emperor by the senate. Vespasian peacefully died of natural causes in 79 AD.
  • Period: 69 to 96

    The Emperors in the Flavian Dynasty

    The emperors who ruled during the Flavian Dynasty include Vespasian and his sons Titus and Domitian.
  • Period: 70 to 80

    The Colosseum

    The Colosseum was built under the Roman emperors of the Flavian Dynasty, Vespasian and his sons Titus and Domitian.
  • 79

    The Eruption of Mount Vesuvius

    This volcanic eruption was one of the most destructive in history, and completely destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum. It occurred during Titus' rule as emperor.
  • Period: 79 to 81

    Titus

    Titus rose to power in 79 AD, following his father Vespasian's death and became one of Rome's most popular emperors. He died suddenly in September 81 AD, possibly from being poisoned by his younger brother, Domitian.
  • Period: 81 to 96

    Domitian

    Domitian came to power in 81 AD after poisoning his older brother, Titus. The people and the senate became concerned that the empire was becoming tyrannical. Stephanus was recruited for his assassination, and killed him in September 96 AD.
  • 82

    The Arch of Titus

    The Arch of Titus, currently in the Roman Forum, marks the victory of Titus in the war against the Jews.
  • 96

    Domitian's Death

    After Domitian's death, the senate rejoiced. They melted his coins and destroyed his statues and essentially tried to erase him from Roman history.
  • Period: 96 to 180

    The Five Good Emperors

    During this time period, five emperors (Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius) brought prosperity to Rome.
  • Period: 96 to 98

    Nerva

    Nerva came to power after Domitian's assassination in 96 AD. He died of a fever in 98 AD, and even the gods were saddened by his death.
  • Period: 96 to 98

    Nerva and Agrarian Reform

    Nerva began an agrarian reform measure implemented in Italy.
  • Period: 96 to 98

    Nerva and Alimenta

    Nerva's government created the system of alimenta, or trusts for the maintenance of poor children in Italy.
  • Period: 98 to 117

    Trajan

    Trajan rose to power in 98 AD following Nerva's death. He ruled until he died in 117 AD, shortly after having a stroke.
  • Period: 98 to 117

    Trajan Expands the Roman Empire

    After capturing the Dacian capital of Sarmizegethusa, Trajan added Dacia to the Roman Empire. In 115 AD, he annexed Mesopotamia.
  • 106

    King's Highway

    In 106 AD, Trajan undertook the construction of a road along the ancient caravan trail known as King's Highway.
  • Period: 117 to 138

    Hadrian

    Hadrian rose to power in 117 AD following Trajan's death. Nearing the end of his rule, Hadrian became suicidal and distressed. He decided to leave the empire in the hands of Antoninus Pius and retire. He died peacefully soon after retiring.
  • 122

    Hadrian's Wall

    Emperor Hadrian built a wall in Britain 80 miles long to separate the Romans from the barbarians.