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• 509 B.C. Rome becomes a republic 
• 264 B.C. the first Punic war begins
• 218 B.C. In the second Punic war, Hannibal invades Italy
• 31 B.C. Octavian defeats the forces of Antony and Cleopatra 
• 284 A.D. Diocletian becomes emperor of Rome
• 476 A.D. Western Roman Empire falls
•  Rome grew from a small settlement to a mighty civilization that eventually conquered the Mediterranean world
• Rome is one of the most famous and influential empires in history
• According to Legend the city of Rome of founded in 753 B.C. by Romulus and Remus, twin sons of the god Mars and a Latin Princess
• Rome was built on seven rolling hills at a curve on the Tiber River near the center of the Italian Peninsula. midway between the Alps and Italy's southern tip
• near the midpoint of the Mediterranean Sea
• The First Romans- The earliest settlers on the Italian peninsula arrived in prehistoric times

From 1000 to 500 B.C. three groups inhabited the region and eventually battled for control

They were the Latins, the Greeks, ant the Etruscans

The Latins built the original settlement at Rome

A cluster of wooden huts on top of Palatine Hills were considered the first settlers of Rome

750 to 600 B.C. the Greeks established colonies along southern Italy and Sicily, they became prosperous and commercially active

• The Early Republic-

A republic is a form of government in which power rests within citizens who have the right to vote for their leaders 

600 B.C. an Etruscan became king of Rome- the last king of Rome was Tarquin the Proud

Patrician- wealthy landowners who held most of the power; inherited power and social status

Plebeians- the common farmers, artisans, and merchants who made up the majority of the population; citizens of Rome with the right to vote

tribunes- representatives formed by the plebeians; protected the rights of the plebeians from unfair acts of patrician officials

Patricians often interpreted the law to fit their own wants and needs since the law wasn't written down

451 B.C. a group of ten officials started writing down Rome's laws

laws were carved on twelve tablets; established the idea that all free citizens had a right to the protection of the law

consuls- commanded the army and directed the government

senate- aristocratic branch of Rome's government;  had both legislative and administrative functions 

dictator- leader with absolute power to make laws and command the army 

legions- Roman soldiers were organized into military units