Rome History and Timeline
Assembled by Dave Brown
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Rome History and Timeline
Assembled by Dave Brown

Sources:
Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Roman_history.
Wikipedia: Pax Romano.
Great Courses Plus: The Fall of Rome (YouTube).
Fausset's Bible Dictionary, Electronic Database © 1998, 2003 by Biblesoft).
International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Electronic Database © 2003 by Biblesoft.
 
Causes of Rome’s Eventual Downfall

  • Monetary policy and “welfare” costs
    • Clipped gold coins and eventually did away with gold based coins
    • Attempt to purchase general support of citizenry via welfare
    • Inflation to pay for wars and welfare
  • Barbarian invasions and offensive wars
    • Impossible to communicate/manage wars in distant areas
    • Slavery: lack of expansion led to lack of new slaves < economic fall
    • Rome’s army relaxed recruiting quality < enlisted foederati = mercenaries/refugees
  • Leadership corruption and incompetence:
    • Financial control by the Aristocracy
    • Aristocracy became exceedingly wealthy – manipulated weaker emperors
    • Succession by family relationships (e.g., of children in some cases)
    • Personal greed; disregard for the common people
    • Murder and war as a political tactic
  • Christianity 313 legalized  > 380 state religion
    • One God and one only
    • Prevented integration of new people from conquered lands
    • Prevented emperor worship (required multiple gods)
 
Time and Place of Writing
 
The timing of the writing of the book are critical to its interpretation.  Many seem to want to place the timing before the destruction of Jerusalem in AD70, and thus make the interpretation largely apply to that event.
 
The book was written from the island of Patmos to which John was exiled as part of the persecution of Christians that took place at the time, although his being there had a more providential purpose: “I John, your brother and partaker with you in tribulation and kingdom and patience (which are) in Jesus, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus” (Rev 1:9).  This seems to connect his being exiled with the revelation he received.
 
According to Fausset’s: “John was exiled under Domitian (Iren. John 5:30; Clemens Alex.; Eusebius, H. E. iii. 20). Victorinus says he had to labor in the mines of PATMOS (which see). At Domitian's death (A.D. 95) he returned to Ephesus under Nerva. He probably wrote out the visions immediately after seeing them (Rev 1:2,9; 10:4).  "Forbidden to go beyond certain bounds of earth, he was permitted [to see] heaven" (Bede on Rev 1).  Irenaeus writes, "Revelation was seen no long time ago, almost in our own generation, at the close of Domitian's reign."  Fausset also cites a large number of “coincidences” or similarities between John’s words and those of Peter and Paul, and indicates that such would be hardly practical at a time when these apostles were still alive.
 
The letters to the seven churches of Asia also attest to the later date of writing.  Compare, for example Paul’s address to the elders at Ephesus (Acts 20:17-38) with that of John’s letter to them dictated by Jesus (Rev 2:1-7).  Paul prophesied of their falling away; John confirms the fact that they “left their first love.”
 
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia contains the following review of some of the church fathers: “Eusebius, in summing up the tradition of the Church on this subject, assigns John's exile to Patmos, and consequently the composition of the Apocalypse, to the latter part of the reign of Domitian (81 AD - 96 AD).  Irenaeus (circa 180 AD) says of the book, "For it was seen, not a long time ago, but almost in our own generation, at the end of the reign of Domitian" (Adv. Haer., v.30, 3). This testimony is confirmed by Clement of Alexandria (who speaks of "the tyrant"), Origen, and later writers.”
 
Our commentary and classes we teach on the Internet assume this latter date (approximately 95AD given below, as all the dates given are approximate).  However, since our main concern is mainly with how the principles of Revelation apply to us today, it may not really matter at what point the snapshot of heavenly reality is taken.  Since these principles are timeless and apply at all times and all ages, moving the timing of the writing and the particular events current at that time is quite irrelevant.  Men have not changed in their willingness to listen to Satan’s lies in their quest for money and power.  Satan has not changed in his quest to destroy all that is good and righteous with his deceit.  And so, the principles apply.  That said, it does help us to refer once in a while to what the saints at the time of the writing were going through to give us even better realistic examples of what we can expect to encounter in “that which must shortly come to pass” (Rev. 1:1).
 
Chronology Timeline
 
It is not the purpose of the chronology below to show where particular prophesies in Revelation were fulfilled.  Quite to the contrary, it is to show that there was no specific event that could qualify as “the fall of the Roman empire” in a time frame that could be considered “shortly to come to pass.”  Does this mean that the prophecies to that effect did not come to pass?  No, what it does show is that the prophecies of defeat did not apply to the entire Roman Empire, at least not in the short term.  Further, they probably did not apply to any one local defeat, as many false teachers want to conclude.  They did apply, however, to the downfall of particular, albeit unknown, corrupt leaders.  We can see so many of them going down along the way that this conclusion seems inevitable.  But just as today, there is no way to tell specifically which ones of them fulfilled which prophecy.  However, all will be included in the final judgment.
 
The chronology of the Roman Empire that follows was constructed out of selected events that might impact the interpretation of the Book of Revelation.  There is no agreement as to the exact date that John wrote the book, but it is our opinion in considering the intent of the book that it was not prior to the destruction of Jerusalem by Rome in 70 AD.  In short, if the destruction of Jerusalem was all that the Book of Revelation was about, it would have little relevance to us today.  We argue that there are principles revealed within the book that apply whenever unbridled political or military power exists.  Thus the comforts being offered by the book have great application to those being persecuted and dying for the cause of Christ today.  Things may appear to be getting worse, both from a natural and man-made catastrophic point of view; but, be patient: God is in control.
 
We have tried for the most part to omit the endless cycles of wars and rebellions that plagued these times.  If interested, please see the Wikipedia references above.  Wars at this time were an expected part of the cultures, apparently not just in Rome, but throughout the world.  They were conducted to seize land and goods (spoils) as well as to increase the power of the kings, emperors, or other leaders to enable them to impose their wills on others.  But perhaps more importantly, to enslave entire populations and bring them back to Rome and other areas of the Empire to become an integral part of the economic systems that existed at the time.  There appears to be no alternative economic systems even being considered or imagined.
 
On this subject, it was/is not the goal of the New Testament to create better (fairer) economic systems.  Fortunately, some better systems have evolved out of the principles of “love they neighbor” and “do unto others what you would have them do unto you” taught by Jesus.  Unfortunately, slavery and human trafficking are still a major forces in all cultures today, often shielded by those at or near the top of the political power hierarchy.  Similarly, it is not at all difficult to identify the same types of political and economic corruption today that were commonplace in Rome (see: Causes of Rome’s Eventual Downfall, above).  These are good reasons that we are able to apply the principles of the book of Revelation to our societies today.  The nature of man, Satan and sin have not changed.
 
The following is a listing of key selected dates and events (- indicates BC):
  • -753 – Rome founded: first king: Romulus
  • -509 – Overthrow of monarchy; establishment of two consuls
  • -293 – Census counted about 270,000 residents of Rome
  • -279 – A Greek force defeated a Roman army despite suffering heavy losses
    • This was part of a  number of local on-going battles until Pax Romana
    • Pax Romana generally claimed duration = 31 BC until 250 AD
  • -146 – Seems to be pivotal year, although wars were largely ongoing; but in this year:
    • 3rd Punic War – captured Carthage and enslaved its surviving inhabitants
    • Battle of Corinth – Roman forces defeat the Achaean League at Corinth
    • Province of Macedonia was organized
    • Province of Africa was organized on captured Carthaginian territory
  • -105 – Battle of Arausio was major setback; 100,000 Roman soldiers killed
  • -105 to 63 – wars localized to specific regions averaged about one every 2-3 years.
  • -66 – Cilician pirates wiped out by Pompey
  • -63 – Siege of Jerusalem: Pompey conquered the city and defiled the temple
  • -59 – First Triumvirate = Pompey, Julius Caesar and Marcus Licinius Crassus
  • -50 – Gallic Wars – the last Gaulish rebels were defeated.
  • -44 – Assassination of Julius Caesar by conspiracy of senators.
  • -43 – Second Triumvarate =Augustusm Mark Antony, Marcus Lepidus
    • Augustus = first emperor???; Son of God; declared Julius Caesar = God
  • -31 – Forces loyal to Augustus defeat Antony and Cleopatra, queen of Egypt
  • -30 – Final War of the Roman Republic
    • Last of the civil wars of the Roman Republic
    • Antony’s forces defected to Augustus and Antony committed suicide
    • Cleopatra committed suicide probably by snakebite while in Roman custody
  • -27 – Initiation of Pax Romano, a period of general peace said to last until 250 AD
    • Would seem to be by divine provided to allow the gospel to be preached
    • Notable exceptions not listed in the general time line (Wikipedia: Pax Romano):
  •   -6 – Birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1) and Augustus taxes Roman Empire Luke 2)
  •   -5 – Birth of Jesus and His escape to Egypt (Matthew 1-2)
  •    2 – Augustus was acclaimed father of the country by the Senate
  •    6 – Augustus deposed Herod Archelau and organized the province of Judea
  •    8 – Young Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41)
  •  14 – Augustus dies
  •  26 – Baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:13)
  •  27 – Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)
  •  28 – Jesus ministry in Galilee (Matthew 8)
  •  29 – Jesus sends out the 12 (Matthew 10) and then the 70 (Luke 10)
  •  30 – Jesus’ resurrection (Matthew 28) and Ascension (Acts 1)
  •  30 – Pentecost (Acts 2), Apostles preach and heal (Acts 3-5)
  •  31 – Stoning of Stephen (Acts 7), Saul’s persecution, Philip Samaritans, Ethiopian (Acts 8)
  •  34 – Saul’s conversion (Acts 9)
  •  37 – Peter preaches to first Gentiles who are converted (Acts 10,11)
  •  41 – Caligula assassinated
    • Replaced by Claudius who restored king Herod Agrippa over Judean Monarchy
  •  42 – Barnabas sent to Antioch to assist in conversion of Greeks (Acts 11)
  •  43 – 1st Roman conquest of Britain; others: 71, 119 (rebellion), 141, 410 (ends Roman rule)
  •  44 – Herod Agrippa is eaten of worms (Acts 12:20)
  •  48 – Paul and Barnabas first missionary journey (Acts 13-14)
  •  49 – Council at Jerusalem and Paul’s second missionary journey (Acts 15-16)
  •  51 – Paul in Corinth (Acts 18)
  •  54 – Paul in Ephesus (Acts 19) writes first letter to Corinthians and to Galatians
  •  54 – Claudius was poisoned and died; he was succeeded by Nero
  •  57 – Paul in Macedonia and Greece (Acts 20)
  •  59 – Paul Returns to Jerusalem (Acts 21-23)
  •  60-62 – Paul’s defenses Felix, Festus and Agrippa (Acts 21-26)
  •  62 – Paul sets sail and reaches Rome
  •  62-67 – Paul’s letters from Roman imprisonment Romans, Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, 1st and 2nd Timothy, Titus
  •  64 – Great Fire of Rome – massive property damage and loss of life over six days
  •  68 – Nero, declared and enemy of the state, orders his secretary to kill him
    • Galba assumes throne – assassinated in 69.
    • Otho serves less than 7 months; “69 = year of the four emperors”
  •  70 – Siege of Jerusalem – Roman general Titus breached walls and destroyed temple
  •  81 – Roman general Titus dies of fever; succeeded by  his younger brother Domitian
  •  95 – John’s Revelation on Patmos (see Time of Writing section above)
  •  96 – Domitian assassinated by members of the royal household (ending John’s exile)
  • 100 – “Asiatic bishops” go to John at Ephesus requesting his opinion on MM&L (Fausset’s)
  • 115 – Jews in Cyrene rose up against Roman authority; ultimately defeated
  • 117 – Estimate year that empire reached its peak – from Britain to Syria
    • Individual and regional downfalls followed
    • No catastrophic fall of the entire empire
  • 135 – Jews rebelled; death of tens of thousands of Roman soldiers and 600k Jewish rebels
  • 141 – Roman conquest of Britain
  • 165 – Antonine Plague killed some five million people throughout the Roman Empire
  • 238 – Senate influence on rulers:
    • Accepted Gordian I and II as rulers of Rome
    • Elected two senators as joint rulers of the Empire
  • 285 – Division of empire into eastern and western half
    • Two different emperors
    • Western in constant war with large army – poor, mostly agricultural
    • Eastern was much wealthier; included Italy and the city of Rome
  • 286 – Diocletian proclaimed Maximian augustus of the west, himself augustus of the east
  • 293 – Diocletian established the Tetarchy (four man rule)
  • 313 – “Christianity” legalized by Constantine the Great; issued Edict of Milan
    • Provided for restitution to Christians injured during persecutions
  • 325 – First Council of Nicaea called by Constantine
    • Nicene Creed: Jesus equal to God the Father
  • 330 – Constantine the Great moved capital to Byzantium, renamed Constantinople
  • 337 – Constantine the Great died; his three sons divided empire into three parts
  • 376 – Goths (Visigoths) sought/obtained refuge from Huns in eastern Empire
  • 378 – Battle of Adrianople=modern day Turkey – major defeat
    • 2/3 of Rome’s army killed
    • Led to soldiers
    • Resulted in Rome recruiting non-Romans (foederati)
  • 380 – “Christianity” became state religion
    • Theodosius the Great issued the Edict of Thessalonica
  • 401 – Alaric proclaimed by Visigoths as king – first besieged Rome
  • 402 – Capital of Western Roman Empire moved from Rome to Ravenna
  • 410 – Alaric returned for 3rd time– no resistance – sacked & defeated Rome
    • Last Roman forces left Britain
  • 411 – Constantine 3rd  who had some earlier success was defeated and executed
  • 447 – Huns under Attila defeat Byzantine army
  • 455 – Sack of Rome by the Vandals (Germanic)
  • 475 – Orestes took control of Western Roman Capital (Ravenna) and set up Romulus
  • 476 – Romulus (age 16) removed from power by Odoacer (Germanic foederati)
    • Became king of Italy – end of eastern empire.
    • Signifying end to the Roman Empire
  • 634 – Muslim conquest of Syria and wide ranging adjoining areas
  • 640 – Muslim conquest of Egypt
  • 787 – Second Council of Nicaea
  • 800  – Charlemagne = proclaimed holy Roman emperor
  • 1002 – Byzantine conquest of Bulgaria
  • 1453 – Byzantine empire fell to Ottomans ending most remnants of Roman rule
 
 

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