History of Rome

Introduction

• Importance of Rome's history for Italian culture and beyond.
• Impact on European languages through the spread of Latin:
  • Romance languages: Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Romanian.

Phases of Roman History

Historians divide Roman history into three main periods:

1. Regal Period (753 B.C. - 509 B.C.)

   • Foundation of Rome: 753 B.C.
   • Last king expelled in 509 B.C.: Tarquinius Superbus.
   • Key figures: Romulus, Numa Pompilius, Tullus Hostilius, Ancus Marcius, Tarquinius Priscus, Servius Tullius.

2. Republican Age (509 B.C. - 27 B.C.)

   • Significant role of the Senate.
   • Expansion through Samnite and Punic Wars.
   • Crisis in the first century B.C.: conflict between populares (Gaius Marius) and optimates (Lucius Cornelius Sulla).
   • Civil war (83-82 B.C.): Sulla's victory and dictatorship.
   • Catilina's conspiracy revealed by Cicero (63 B.C.).
   • Formation of the First Triumvirate (60 B.C.): Pompey, Crassus, Julius Caesar.
   • Second Civil War: Julius Caesar crosses Rubicon (49 B.C.) and defeats Pompey (48 B.C.).
   • Julius Caesar's assassination on Ides of March (44 B.C.).
   • Establishment of the Second Triumvirate (43 B.C.): Octavianus, Marcus Antonius, Lepidus.
   • Civil war with Antonius leads to Actium defeat (31 B.C.) and Octavianus becomes Augustus (27 B.C.).

3. Imperial Age (27 B.C. - 476 A.D.)

   • Transition of power: Senate to Emperor.
   • Two phases:
     • Prosperous phase until the second century A.D.
     • Crisis from the third century A.D. onwards.
   • Julio-Claudian dynasty: Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero.
   • Maximum territorial expansion under Trajan (98-117 A.D.).
   • Reasons for crisis: military power, economic difficulties, border pressures, spread of Christianity.
   • Division of the Empire initiated by Emperor Diocletian; finalized in 395 A.D. by Theodosius I.
   • Western Roman Empire falls in 476 A.D. (Odovacer deposes last emperor).
   • Eastern Empire (Constantinople) survives until 1453 A.D. (conquered by Mehmed the Conqueror).

Conclusion

• Summary of Ancient Rome's significance in European history.
• Encouragement to visit Rome and explore its cultural heritage.
• Promotion of LearnAmo resources for learning Italian.