The Roman Republic timeline

Roman Kingdon
753 B.C.: Mythical founding

600 B.C.: Etruscans arrive

534-507 B.C.: Collapse of Etruscan power


Roman Republic 507-31 B.C.
507 B.C.: Republic founded


6th-3rd century B.C.: Conquest of Italy
343-41 B.C.: 1st Samnite War

328-02 B.C.: 2nd Samnite War

298-90: 3rd Samnite War


264-146 B.C.: Punic Wars
216 B.C.: Battle of Canae

202 B.C.: Battle of Zama

146 B.C.: Carthage destroyed


146-88 B.C.: Reform and Disorder
91-87 B.C.: Social War

88 B.C.: Sulla marches on Rome

73-1 B.C.: Spartacus

63 B.C.: Conspiracy of Catiline


60-44 B.C.: Civil War
60 B.C.: Triumvirate formed

58-51 B.C.: Gallic War

53 B.C.: Crassus killed

49-45 B.C.: Civil War

44 B.C.: Caesar Assassinated

43-42 B.C.: Second Triumvirate

42-31 B.C.: Octavian eliminates rivals

31 B.C.: Battle of Actium and end of the Republic

History Shorts: The Battle of Zama (202 B.C.)

Scipio Africanus studied Hannibal’s tactics and improved upon them. While Hannibal remained in Italy, the Roman general moved on Carthage. Hannibal was recalled to face the Roman invasion. At Zama, Scipio Africanus defeated Hannibal ending the Second Punic War in Rome’s favor. As a result, Rome became the Mediterranean’s preeminent superpower and was set on course for empire.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyIPrck7oXk
 

History Shorts: Hannibal and the Battle of Cannae

Hannibal inherited his father's hatred of Rome and invaded the Italian peninsula. His actions helped start the Second Punic War. He dealt the Romans devastating losses at Trebbia (218 B.C.) and Trasimene (217 B.C.). In 216 B.C., Hannibal’s 50,000 man force met the Romans at Cannae. The 86,000 man Roman army fell into a trap. Hannibal ordered his center to slowly collapse while swinging his flanks around the Roman force. The Romans advanced against the Carthaginian center and then discovered they had been surrounded. Around 50,000 Romans died making it one of the costliest defeats in ancient history. Europe would not suffer battlefield casualty rates this high again until World War I. Despite the victory, Hannibal could not achieve victory. He lacked siege equipment to starve out the city. Meanwhile, Rome refused to surrender and switched to a guerrilla strategy. Hannibal remained in Italy for the next decade unable to finish off the republic.

The following clip is from a BBC production.  Hannibal is portrayed by Alexander Siddig of Star Trek fame.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTpccODlcdA