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: Caesar Assassinated (44 B.C.)

Julius Caesar won his civil war against Pompey the Great and the Optimates. After asserting his power, the Senate voted Caesar dictator for life. To many, this reeked of monarchy. In response, a group of senators led by Cato, Cassius, and Brutus led a coup and murdered the dictator. Initially, Caesar’s allies were cowed into silence. However, when it became obvious that the conspirators had no plans to extend the bloodshed beyond Caesar, and made no provisions to take power, Mark Anthony rallied Rome’s mob and the Caesarians against Brutus. This had the practical effect of launching another civil war. After defeating the republicans, Anthony and Caesar’s nephew, Octavian, engaged in still another civil war for power.

The first link is from HBO’s Rome. The second is from Shakespeare (1979). The final link is also from Shakespeare and features Mark Anthony’s funeral oration performed by Marlon Brando.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FvgP5hO99o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9H-Kztt6WpM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KScBmX1d-YU

History Shorts: The Battle of Pharsalus (48 B.C.)

The Roman Senate feared Julius Caesar. His victories in Gaul increased his power and popularity. They already resented him for actions and policies he advocated during his consulship. The Senate moved to eliminate the threat by sending an ultimatum. Rather than submit, and possibly die, Caesar marched his army on Rome. His enemies fled and the republic fell into civil war. Caesar’s opponents, led by Pompey the Great, fled Rome to find a battlefield of their choosing.

Indeed, Caesar met Pompey the Great on the battlefield. Most believed Pompey held the advantage. However, his glory was decades past. Caesar was the future. At Pharsalus, Caesar decisively defeated his opponent. Pompey fled to Egypt. The Egyptians murdered him hoping to curry favor with Caesar. Meanwhile, Caesar attained absolute power in Rome.

The first clip is from the BBC. The second is Pompey’s death from HBO’s Rome.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNgDf5_pgBo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ubzo2TrguoY&feature=related

History Shorts: Caesar Marches on Rome (49 B.C.)

Four decades after Sulla marched on Rome and purged the city of his opponents, Julius Caesar marched his troops on the capitol. Caesar made many enemies while serving as consul. He left town to avoid prosecution and persecution to serve as governor of Gaul. He spent nearly a decade campaigning in Gaul and earning fame. His opponents grew jealous and demanded he submit to the Senate. Submission meant probable death. Caesar had to act and marched on the city to protect himself. At the same time, Caesar hoped to end nearly a century of strife between classes within the Republic.



Crossing the Rubicon: (Audio from Gods and Generals narrated by Jeff Daniels and video from HBO's Rome):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZGUQUjRljo

From HBO's Rome:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqoCRsZG1ZQ&feature=related

History Shorts: Sulla becomes Dictator of Rome (82 B.C.)

Rome experienced dramatic social upheaval from the end of the Third Punic War (149 B.C.) until the Battle of Actium (31 B.C.). Conflict between upper and lower classes and Roman citizens and non-citizens dominated politics. In 82 B.C., Sulla decided to end the upheaval by marching his army into Rome, seizing power, and ushering in “reform” designed to strengthen the upper class. As part of his program, he purged the city of political opponents. He stepped down as dictator in 81 B.C. His reforms did not stand the test of time. However, he established a precedent which many generals followed in the subsequent centuries. Julius Caesar remembered the dictatorship and pogrom and followed in Sulla’s footsteps. However, Caesar did not willingly relinquish power nor did he murder his political opponents. Sulla’s actions provided an example to Caesar.



Marius vs. Sulla:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0mWa1zqpm8&feature=related