Ancient Rome grew from a small settlement on the Tiber in central Italy, traditionally founded in the middle of the eighth century BCE, into a state that controlled the entire Mediterranean world. It was first ruled by kings, then became a republic around 509 BCE, and passed under the rule of emperors from the time of Augustus. Its legions, roads and law, along with the spread of the Latin language, shaped the lands from Britain to Mesopotamia. The western half of the empire collapsed in the fifth century when Odoacer deposed the last western emperor, while the eastern half continued as the Byzantine Empire for another thousand years. Roman law, architecture and language still influence the modern world.
Before and after
- from c. 782 BCE to 595 BCEConstruction of Erebuni Fortress
- from c. 776 BCE to 500 CEAncient Olympic Games
- from c. 771 BCE to 476 BCESpring and Autumn period
- c. 754 BCERomulus founds Rome (traditional date)
- from c. 753 BCE to 476 CEAncient Rome
- from 753 BCE to 46 BCERoman calendar
- from c. 753 BCE to 509 BCERoman Kingdom
- 21 April 753 BCEFounding of Rome
- from c. 750s BCE to 530sGandhara
More in Civilizations & archaeology
- from 8th century BCE to 3rd centuryClassical antiquity
- c. 700s BCEConstruction of Great Wall of China
- from 206 BCE to 220 CEHan dynasty
- 200 BCEOrigins of Nazca Lines
- 19 BCEConstruction of Western Wall
- from 476 CE to 1492Middle Ages
The era
This moment belongs to the Ancient civilizations (3,200 BCE to 500 CE), writing, cities and empires. You can also browse everything in the 8th century BCE.