The Punic Wars (264 BC-146 BC), plus conflicts with Greece, allowed Rome to gain control of Carthage and Corinth, and become the dominant naval power in the Mediterranean.

Punic Wars

Changes in the political atmosphere caused the Roman Republic to become engulfed in chaos and civil war. A dictator was elected in 82 BC, serving until 80 BC. After his formal resignation in 79 BC, Rome returned to a state of unrest. While Rome would continue to be officially governed as a republic for another 50 years, a gradual transition to Imperialism and permanent dictatorship began with the rise to power of Julius Caesar in 60 BC.

By 51 BC, Caesar had successfully conquered Celtic Gaul, expanding Rome's borders outside the Mediterranean region for the first time. While Rome was still nominally governed by the Senate, its power was weakening. In 44 BC, Caesar was assassinated. He was subsequently succeeded by his heir, Octavian, along with Mark Antony. Antony died in 31 BC during the Roman conquest of Egypt, leaving Octavian as Rome's unchallenged ruler. Octavian then became the first Roman emperor, assuming the title of Caesar Augustus.

Transition from Republic to Empire

Rome's Republican period began in 510 BC. During this period, a new form of government was established, in which Rome was ruled by its upper classes known as senators and equestrians (or knights). An absolute ruler (or dictator) could be selected in emergency situations. In 451 BC, a standardized code of laws was established to regulate political, public, and private matters. This was known as the Twelve Tables.

Expansion continued, and by 338 BC, Rome had gained complete control over the Italian peninsula. 



San Jose State University

The history of Ancient Rome consists of three basic eras:
- The Founding and the Period of Kings, which lasted from circa 625 BC-510 BC.
- The Republican Era, which lasted from 510 BC-31 BC.
- And finally the Imperial Era, which lasted from 31 BC-AD 476.

Ancient Roman History

The Roman Empire: A brief history. Milwaukee Public Museum. (n.d.). Retrieved April 13, 2022, from https://www.mpm.edu/research-collections/anthropology/anthropology-collections-research/mediterranean-oil-lamps/roman-empire-brief-history#:~:text=The%20history%20of%20the%20Roman,31%20BC%20%E2%80%93%20AD%20476). 

History of Ancient Rome

Republican Era

Ancient Rome's last major period was the Imperial era, which lasted from the rise of the first emperor in 31 BC until the fall of Rome in AD 476. This period saw several decades of expansion, prosperity, and peace. The Empire reached its maximum extent by AD 117, covering parts of three continents, including most of Europe, Asia Minor (Turkey), and northern Africa. 

 

Imperial Era

The era of the Founding and the Period of Kings lasted from circa 625 BC-510 BC. 

Rome was first founded in circa 625 BC. The Period of Kings lasted until 510 BC. During this period, Rome was ruled by at least 6 kings. The Period of Kings saw military, economic, and political advances, including expanded borders and increased military might, increased production and trade of goods, and the early development of the Roman constitution. The decline of Etruria brought the end of the Period of Kings, and the emergence of the Roman Republic.

Learn Before

Related

Learn After