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The Roman Empire was one of the greatest and most
influential civilizations in world history. It began in the city of Rome in 753
BC and lasted for well over 1000 years. During that time Rome grew to rule much
of Europe, Western Asia, and Northern Africa. Here is a timeline of some of the
major events in the history of Ancient Rome.

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The city of Rome is founded. Legend has it that the
twin sons of Mars, the god of war, named Romulus and Remus founded the city.
Romulus killed Remus and became ruler of Rome and named the city after himself.
Rome was ruled by kings for the next 240 years.

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Rome becomes a republic. The last king is
overthrown and Rome is now ruled by elected officials called senators. There is
a constitution with laws and a complex republican government.

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Hannibal invades Italy. Hannibal leads the Carthage
army in his famous crossing of the Alps to attack Rome. This is part of the
Second Punic war.

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Spartacus the gladiator leads the slaves in an
uprising.

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Julius Caesar becomes the first dictator of Rome.
Caesar makes his famous Crossing of the Rubicon and defeats Pompey in a civil
war to become the supreme ruler of Rome. This signals the end of the Roman
Republic.

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Julius Caesar is assassinated on the Ides of March
by Marcus Brutus. They hope to bring back the republic, but civil war breaks
out.

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The Roman Empire begins as Caesar Augustus becomes
the first Roman Emperor.

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Much of Rome burns. Legend has it that Emperor Nero
watched the city burn while playing a lyre.

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The Colosseum is built. One of the great examples of
Roman engineering is finished. It can seat 50,000 spectators.

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The Hadrian Wall is built. To keep out the
barbarians a long wall is built across northern England.

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Constantine becomes Emperor. Constantine would
convert to Christianity and Rome would become a Christian empire. Prior to this
Rome persecuted the Christians.

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Theodosius I declares Christianity to be the sole
religion of the Roman Empire.

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Rome splits into two empires.

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The Visigoths sack Rome. This is the first time in
800 years that the city of Rome has fallen to an enemy.

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The end of the Western Roman Empire and the fall of
Ancient Rome. The last Roman Emperor Romulus Augustus is defeated by the German
Goth Odoacer. This signals the start of the Dark Ages in Europe.

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The Byzantine Empire comes to an end as it falls
to the Ottoman Empire.