Timeline of Roman history
The timeline of Roman history spans over a millennium, from the legendary founding of Rome by Romulus in 753 BC to the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD. This period is divided into several key eras that shaped the development of Rome into a dominant civilization.
The Roman Kingdom (753–509 BC) was the period when Rome was ruled by kings. This was followed by the Roman Republic (509–27 BC), characterized by a system of governance with elected officials and a Senate. During this time, Rome expanded its territory through conquests and wars.
The transition from Republic to Empire occurred with the rise of Julius Caesar and the subsequent rule of Augustus, marking the beginning of the Roman Empire (27 BC–476 AD). The empire reached its peak under emperors like Trajan and Hadrian, expanding to its greatest territorial extent.
However, internal strife, economic challenges, and invasions by barbarian tribes led to the decline of the Western Roman Empire. In 476 AD, the last Roman emperor in the West was deposed, marking the traditional date for the end of ancient Rome.
Despite the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the Eastern Roman Empire, known as the Byzantine Empire, continued to exist for nearly a thousand years until the fall of Constantinople in 1453 AD.
The legacy of Rome endures through its contributions to law, government, architecture, engineering, and culture, making it a foundational civilization in Western history.