Background
- 146 BC, by end of Punic Wars, Rome expanded into Spain, Greece, Africa, Asia Minor. Became involved in slave trade, and oppression led to slave revolts.
- 74 BC, Spartacus slave revolt.
- Rome moved into Syria and Palestine, including Jerusalem. Julius Caesar emerged, and along with Crassus and Pompey, formed the Triumvirate, or three-way partnership.
- 46 BC, Triumvirate broken, civil war follows. Julius Caesar won, became dictator, and developed relationship with Cleopatra conquering Egypt.
- 44 BC, Caesar killed by some Senators. Revenge followed, led by Marc Antony and Caesar's nephew Octavian. Many Senators killed, and those associated with them. Antony and Octavian split empire, until Antony married Cleopatra, and another civil war.
- 28 BC, Antony defeated at Actium. Octavian became sole ruler, taking title Augustus Caesar. Ruled until his death AD 14