Timeline of Roman history
Chronological record of Roman legal and political events.
The timeline of Roman history tracks the key legal shifts, territorial changes, and political events across the Roman Kingdom, the Roman Republic, the Roman Empire, and the Byzantine Empire. Accounts of the Kingdom and early Republic are largely legendary, and their reliability varies. By tradition, this timeline marks the end of Rome in the West with the deposition of Romulus Augustulus, and in the East with the Fall of Constantinople. For discussion of later claims to Rome’s legacy, see Third Rome.
- field
- Historical chronology
- known_for
- Documenting legal, territorial, and political events of Rome
- scope
- Roman Kingdom, Republic, Roman Empire, Byzantine Empire
Lore & Background
The timeline covers events from the 8th and 7th centuries BC through the 15th century AD, marking the deposition of Romulus Augustulus and the Fall of Constantinople as the end of Rome in the west and east, respectively. It notes that accounts of the Kingdom and early Republic are legendary and considered to have varying degrees of veracity.
Reader's Guide
The Timeline of Roman history is significant as a structured reference for legal, territorial, and political changes across the Roman world. It follows tradition in marking the deposition of Romulus Augustulus and the Fall of Constantinople as endpoints for the western and eastern Roman empires. The timeline acknowledges the legendary nature of early Roman history, preserving uncertainty rather than resolving it. It also references the concept of a 'Third Rome' for claimants to succession, without endorsing any. This entry provides a neutral framework for understanding the broad sweep of Roman political history, from its legendary origins to its final eastern fall.
Did You Know?
- The timeline marks the deposition of Romulus Augustulus as the end of Rome in the west.
- The Fall of Constantinople is marked as the end of Rome in the east.
- Events of the Kingdom of Rome and early Republic are considered legendary with varying degrees of veracity.
- The timeline references 'Third Rome' for discussion of claimants to Roman succession.
More in Ancient Rome 1-24
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