Roman Government Timeline

Definition

Western Civilization is forever indebted to the people of ancient Greece and Rome. Among the numerous contributions these societies made are in the fields of art, literature and philosophy; however, perhaps their greatest gift to future generations was the modern perception of government. The contemporary idea of democracy, while borne out of the political struggles in the city of Athens, came to fruition in the Roman Republic, surviving, despite the constant interference of the emperor, through the Roman Empire. Although the present definition of democracy has changed considerably, one must still recognize its early evolution in that eternal city, Rome.

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Timeline

753 BCE
The legendary founding date of Rome.
750 BCE - 510 BCE
The (semi-mythological) seven kings of Rome: Romulus, Numa Pompilius, Tulus Hostilius, Ancus Marcius, Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, Servius Tullius, Lucius Tarquinius Superbus.
509 BCE
Foundation of the Roman Republic.
494 BCE
Traditional date the office of the tribuni plebis is created in Rome.
450 BCE
The number of Roman quaestors is increased to four and made open to plebians.
450 BCE
The laws of the 'Twelve Tables', the basis of Roman law, are compiled.
449 BCE
The Valerio-Horatian Laws establishes the tribal assemblies in Rome.
443 BCE
The position of censor is created in Rome.
c. 440 BCE
Roman quaestors are chosen by the assembly rather than the consuls.
367 BCE
Law passed enabling Roman plebians to become consuls.
367 BCE
Position of aedile curule added for the patricians of Rome.
367 BCE
The Licino-Sextian rogations establish the office a third praetor; the original two are renamed consuls.
366 BCE
First Roman plebian consul named.
339 BCE
The leges Publilae decrees that one of Rome's two censors must be a plebeian.
c. 287 BCE
The Lex Hotensia states that laws passed in Rome by the Concilium Plebis are binding to all people, even patricians.
180 BCE
The Lex Villia Annalis sets the minimum age of each magistracy in the Roman government.
131 BCE
Two plebeians hold the two positions of censor for the first time in Rome.
106 BCE
Roman statesman and orator Cicero is born.
12 Jul 100 BCE - 15 Mar 44 BCE
Life of Gaius Julius Caesar, founder of the Roman Empire.
81 BCE
Sulla significantly curbs the powers of the Roman tribuni plebis.
70 BCE
Pompey and Crassus are made consuls.
70 BCE
The powers of the tribuni plebis in Rome are reinstated.
65 BCE
Julius Caesar becomes aedile curule in Rome.
60 BCE - 53 BCE
First Triumvirate' between Caesar, Pompey and Crassus.
55 BCE
Marcus Licinius Crassus is made consul for the second time and departs on campaign in Parthia.
44 BCE
Caesar becomes dictator for life. On the 'Ides of March' (15th) he is killed by conspirators including Brutus and Cassius. Octavian, son of Caesars niece Atia, is posthumously adopted as his heir.
43 BCE - 36 BCE
Second Triumvirate: Antony, Octavian, and Lepidus (official approval by the Roman Senate). Mass proscriptions including Cicero.
43 BCE
Roman statesman and orator Cicero dies.
42 BCE
Octavian and Antony defeat Republicans under Brutus and Cassius at the Battle of Philippi (Greece).
27 BCE
Octavian is given extraordinary powers and the name Augustus by the Roman Senate.
c. 23 BCE
Augustus takes over most of the powers of the tribuni plebis.
22 BCE
The last censor is elected in Rome.
68 CE - 69 CE
Year of the Four Emperors: Civil war in Rome.
212 CE
Roman citizenship granted to all inhabitants of the empire.
285 CE
The Roman empire is split into the Western and Eastern Roman empires.

Roman Government

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