Member-only story

The History of Rome: From Its Foundation to the Age of Augustus

Fabian Mitchell

·7.1k Followers· Follow

Published in Rome And Italy: The History Of Rome From Its Foundation (Classics)

5 min read

966 View Claps

64 Respond

Save

Listen

Rome and Italy: The History of Rome from its Foundation (Classics)

by Livy

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2875 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	368 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

Rome was founded in 753 BC by Romulus and Remus, twin brothers who were raised by a she-wolf. The city grew rapidly and soon became a major power in the Mediterranean region. By the 1st century AD, Rome had conquered much of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

The Early Republic

The early Roman Republic was a period of great expansion and turmoil. The Romans fought numerous wars against their neighbors and gradually extended their control over the Italian peninsula. They also established colonies in Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica.

During the early Republic, the Roman government was dominated by the patricians, a wealthy and powerful class of landowners. The plebeians, or common people, had little say in government and were often oppressed by the patricians.

The Punic Wars

The Punic Wars were a series of three wars fought between Rome and Carthage, a powerful maritime empire based in North Africa. The First Punic War (264-241 BC) was fought over control of Sicily. The Second Punic War (218-201 BC) was fought over control of the Iberian Peninsula. The Third Punic War (149-146 BC) ended with the destruction of Carthage.

The Punic Wars were a turning point in Roman history. They marked the end of Rome's dominance over the Italian peninsula and the beginning of its expansion into the Mediterranean region.

The Roman Empire

The Roman Empire was established in 27 BC by Augustus Caesar. Augustus was the first emperor of Rome and he ruled for 41 years. During his reign, he expanded the empire to its greatest extent.

The Roman Empire was a vast and complex political entity. It was divided into provinces, each of which was governed by a Roman governor. The empire was also divided into social classes, with the patricians at the top and the slaves at the bottom.

The Roman Empire reached its peak under the reign of Trajan (98-117 AD). During this time, the empire stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the Persian Gulf. Trajan also conquered Dacia (modern Romania) and Mesopotamia.

The Decline of the Roman Empire

The Roman Empire began to decline in the 3rd century AD. The empire was plagued by a series of political and economic crises. The army was weakened by barbarian invasions and the government was increasingly unable to control the provinces.

In 476 AD, the Western Roman Empire collapsed. The Eastern Roman Empire, also known as the Byzantine Empire, survived for another 1,000 years.

The Legacy of Rome

The Roman Empire had a profound impact on Western civilization. The Romans developed a system of law, government, and infrastructure that was adopted by many later societies. The Roman Empire also spread Christianity throughout Europe.

The legacy of Rome can still be seen today in the languages, laws, and institutions of many countries. Rome was one of the most powerful and influential empires in history and its impact on the world is still felt today.

Timeline of Roman History

753 BC: Rome is founded by Romulus and Remus.
509 BC: The Roman Republic is established.
264-241 BC: The First Punic War.
218-201 BC: The Second Punic War.
149-146 BC: The Third Punic War.
27 BC: Augustus Caesar becomes the first emperor of Rome.
98-117 AD: Trajan reigns as emperor and expands the empire to its greatest extent.
3rd century AD: The Roman Empire begins to decline.
476 AD: The Western Roman Empire collapses.
1453 AD: The Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) collapses.