600 BC First Etruscan is crowned king of Rome. Although Rome was not controlled by Etruscan cities, the Etruscan kings expanded the many Roman villages into a city that spanned over 500 square miles.
509 BC Tarquin the Proud is the last Etruscan king to govern Rome. Because of his harsh and tyrannical ways, he was overthrown by Roman aristocrats. The Romans later proclaimed that they would not be governed by a king again, leading them to establish the Roman Republic.
494 BC The Senate allows the plebeians to form an assembly and elect tribunes.
451 BC The Twelve Tables are created by a group of ten officials. They are Rome's first code of laws, allowing both patricians and plebeians protection under an unchanging set of laws.
265 BC Rome rules Italy (except for Po Valley).
146 BC Rome gains control of the Western Mediterranean after the Punic Wars.
133-121 BC The gap between the wealthy and the poor deepens as Rome grows larger. Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus advocate for the poor and are later put to death.
88-82 BC A civil war over power begins in Rome. Army generals gain more authority Lucius Cornelius Sulla is named dictator after winning a battle against Gaius Marcus.
70 BC Rome gains control of Macedonia, Greece and some of Anatolia. Rome now controls land from Spain to Anatolia.
60 BC Julius Caesar is elected consul with the help of Crassus, a wealthy roman landowner, and Pompey, a military general. All three men rule the Roman Republic as its first Triumvirate.
44 BC Julius Caesar became the absolute ruler of Rome, changing Rome from a republic to an empire.
44 BC Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius stab Caesar.
43 BC Octavian, Caesar's son, Mark Antony, and Lipidus take control of the Roman Empire in an effort to save its decline.
27 BC Octavian becomes the sole leader of Rome, later changing his name to Augustus, meaning "exalted one."
14 AD Augustus dies and is succeeded by his son, Tiberius.
96 AD After Tiberius' death, Rome experiences conflict over the transfer of power. The "five good emperors" are chosen to rule.
284 AD Diocletian becomes the newest emperor of Rome, dividing it into two parts: The East (Greece, Syria, Egypt, and Anatolia), and the West (Italy, Britannia, Spain, and Gaul)
312 AD Constantine gains control of the West and advocates for Christianity.
509 BC Tarquin the Proud is the last Etruscan king to govern Rome. Because of his harsh and tyrannical ways, he was overthrown by Roman aristocrats. The Romans later proclaimed that they would not be governed by a king again, leading them to establish the Roman Republic.
494 BC The Senate allows the plebeians to form an assembly and elect tribunes.
451 BC The Twelve Tables are created by a group of ten officials. They are Rome's first code of laws, allowing both patricians and plebeians protection under an unchanging set of laws.
265 BC Rome rules Italy (except for Po Valley).
146 BC Rome gains control of the Western Mediterranean after the Punic Wars.
133-121 BC The gap between the wealthy and the poor deepens as Rome grows larger. Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus advocate for the poor and are later put to death.
88-82 BC A civil war over power begins in Rome. Army generals gain more authority Lucius Cornelius Sulla is named dictator after winning a battle against Gaius Marcus.
70 BC Rome gains control of Macedonia, Greece and some of Anatolia. Rome now controls land from Spain to Anatolia.
60 BC Julius Caesar is elected consul with the help of Crassus, a wealthy roman landowner, and Pompey, a military general. All three men rule the Roman Republic as its first Triumvirate.
44 BC Julius Caesar became the absolute ruler of Rome, changing Rome from a republic to an empire.
44 BC Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius stab Caesar.
43 BC Octavian, Caesar's son, Mark Antony, and Lipidus take control of the Roman Empire in an effort to save its decline.
27 BC Octavian becomes the sole leader of Rome, later changing his name to Augustus, meaning "exalted one."
14 AD Augustus dies and is succeeded by his son, Tiberius.
96 AD After Tiberius' death, Rome experiences conflict over the transfer of power. The "five good emperors" are chosen to rule.
284 AD Diocletian becomes the newest emperor of Rome, dividing it into two parts: The East (Greece, Syria, Egypt, and Anatolia), and the West (Italy, Britannia, Spain, and Gaul)
312 AD Constantine gains control of the West and advocates for Christianity.