1. An Overview of Roman History

2. Founding of Rome
The myth: Two brothers, Romulus and Remus, were raised by a she-wolf in a forest near the Tiber river
The two brothers founded cities and argued over which hill to use
Lupa (wolf)
Feeding Romulus
And Remus

3. Fratricide and Romulus King
In the argument, Romulus killed Remus and names his city Alba Longa. This city will be called Rome after his death
Romulus becomes the 1st King of Rome as it is founded on April 21st 753 B.C.

4. Rape of the Sabine Women
Soldiers flock to the new settlement with families, but there are too few women to start a nation
Romulus leads soldiers in a raid called the “Rape of the Sabine Women.” The Latins take the Sabine women back to Rome and found their city/nation

5. 753-509 The Monarchy Romulus is the first of 7 Kings of Rome
The Romans do not like the prospect of a king, called “Rex” or “Tyrannus” in Latin, and wish to overthrow the Monarchy

6. The Rape of Lucretia
The son of Tarquinius Superbus, the 7th and last king of Rome, is named Sextus Tarquinius.
Sextus forcibly rapes a chaste woman of nobility, Lucretia, and the people rise up and throw the corrupt King out of Rome. This begins the Republican Revolution

7. BC The Republic
The Republic is governed by a Senate with 2 Consuls (presidents) elected every year to head the government

8. 44 B.C. Caesar
In 44 B.C., a Roman general named Gaius Julius Caesar marches on Rome and declares himself “dictator” or ruler
On March 15th, 44 BC, Caesar is assassinated by his best friend Brutus and conspirators. This begins a period of civil war

9. 27 BC Octavian/Augustus
Caesar’s adopted son, Octavian, declares himself Caesar Augustus, the First Emperor of Rome

10. Rise of the Empire
What follows is a period known as the “Pax Romana” or Roman peace. Augustus expands the Empire, now ruled by one appointed Emperor, to new heights

11. The Height of the Empire: 2nd Century AD
In the 2nd century AD, the Empire rules all of Europe, including Britain, some of Africa, and some parts of Asia
The last of the “good” emperors, Marcus Aurelius, dies
The Empire begins to decline due to political infighting

12. The Divide
Constantine becomes co-emperor in the 4th century and divides the Empire into West and East. The center of the East empire becomes known as Constantinople (Byzantium)

13. 476 AD: The Fall
The Western, traditional Roman Empire falls when Rome is invaded by barbarians. Most of Rome is burnt to the ground. Knowledge of science, math, reading, languages, and arts are lost
This leads to the period in European history known as the Dark Ages, or Medieval Period

14. Renaissance: The Rebirth
From the 14th-17th century, Europeans rediscover lost texts of Greek and Roman writers. This leads to a reinvention of technology, art, democracy, and literature
The Classical period (Greek and Roman) affects the development of the world hereafter