Timeline

56BC - 55BC

Britons lived in tribal groups

55 BC. At the time of the first Roman invasion, the Britons - who were called Celts - lived in tribal groups, mostly in round houses made of timber, thatch and wattle and daub.

Fighting between tribes in Britain

Up to and around 55 BC. There was much fighting between tribes in Britain. Warriors fought naked and were painted blue. They bleached their hair with lime, which made it stand up in stiff spikes.

Julius Caesar tries to invade Britannia

55 BC. Julius Caesar tried to invade Britannia (Britain) because he thought its people were helping the Gauls of northern France to rebel against the Romans and he wanted Britain's crops and metals.

Latin introduced

55 BC. The Romans were busy building up their empire by conquering lands around them. They imposed their culture wherever they invaded and introduced their language, Latin.

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54BC - 50BC

Ballista

Approx 50 BC. Romans began to use a weapon called a ballista, a kind of wooden crossbow which could hurl heavy stones or bolts at the enemy.

Julius Caesar attempts another invasion of Britain

54 BC. Julius Caesar attempted another invasion of Britain, led by Cassivellaunus. Meanwhile, trade links between Britain and Rome strengthened.

The Celts hunted human heads as trophies

Approx 50 BC. The Celts hunted human heads as trophies, placing them on posts or hanging them from trees. They preserved heads in cedar oil and might even have decorated them for use as drinking cups.

Vercingetorix leads a revolt against the Romans

52 BC. The Celtic chief Vercingetorix, leader of the Gauls (in France), led a revolt against the Romans. After much fighting, Caesar's army surrounded him in Alesia and he eventually gave himself up.

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49BC - 35BC

Julius Caesar becomes dictator

48 BC. Julius Caesar, a powerful politician and army leader, seized power of Rome and became dictator for life.

Julius Caesar killed

15th March, 44 BC. Julius Caesar was killed by a group of politicians, including Brutus - a man he had trusted. This led to civil war. Octavian - Caesar's adopted son - took control of the army.

Vercingetorix beheaded

46 BC. The Celtic chief Vercingetorix - who had been imprisoned in Rome for five years - was paraded through Rome and then beheaded in public.

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34BC - 1BC

Make-up

End of first century BC. The poet Ovid wrote about make-up for women, describing the use of stripped barley, narcissus bulbs, lupin seeds, eggs, ground stag horns, honey and poppies as beauty aids.

Octavian became Romebs first emperor

27 BC. Octavian became Emperor Augustus, Rome's first emperor. He punished his legions which fought badly by decimation - one in 10 was killed. The rest were fed on nothing but barley bread.

Octavian reorganises his army

31 BC. Octavian reorganised the army, sorting his 150,000 men into 28 legions, instead of 60. He gave the soldiers proper pay and retired them on a pension after 20 years' service.

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1AD - 10AD

Catuvellauni took Camulodunon from another tribe

9 AD. The Celtic tribe Catuvellauni took Camulodunum (Colchester) from another Celtic tribe, Trinovantes. It was only a large farmstead, but it was very important. Romans later called it Camulodunum.

Wine imported in an amphora

5 AD. Britain had established trade with other countries and, by this time, was importing wine in amphorae. An amphora was a large jar with a pointed end which was stuck into the ground or a rack.

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11AD - 42AD

Caligula became Roman emperor

37 AD. Caligula became Roman emperor. His real name was Gaius Caesar Germanicus but he was nicknamed Caligula (Little Boots) because, as a boy, he liked to dress as a soldier.

Claudius becomes Roman emperor

41 AD. Claudius became Roman emperor and began looking for a way to make his people think of him as a strong leader. He decided to invade Britain.

Soldiers begin to use plate armour

Approx 35 AD. Soldiers began to use plate armour to protect the chest and back, instead of mail shirts. They also used swords, daggers and decorated shields.

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43AD - 45AD

Camulodunum

43 AD. The Romans built a fortress at Camulodunon (now Colchester) and renamed the town Camulodunum. It became the first Roman capital of the new province of Britannia.

Claudius orders a full-scale invasion of Britain

Spring 43 AD. Claudius ordered a full-scale invasion of Britain, led by Aulus Plautius. Caratacus led the British resistance, but his army could not compete with the 40,000-strong Roman army.

Durobrivae

43 AD. A Roman fort was also built at Durobrivae (now Peterborough). Later this was developed into a proper town.

Emperor Claudius returns to Rome in triumph

44 AD. Emperor Claudius returned to Rome in triumph, having conquered Britain.

Emperor Claudius takes over Camulodunon

Autumn 43 AD. Emperor Claudius brought reinforcements to Britain. He led his army and a procession of elephants paraded to Camulodunon (now Colchester) and took over the settlement.

Straight roads began

43 AD. Romans began building long, straight roads to replace the mud tracks used by the Celts. A Groma - a wooden cross with weights hanging from it - was used to find the straightest route.

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46AD - 50AD

Amphitheatre built at Calleva Atrebatum

Approx 50 AD. An amphitheatre was built at Calleva Atrebatum (Silchester), a substantial Roman settlement. It could seat 3,000 people and was used for plays, recitations and to honour the gods.

Durnovaria

Approx 50 AD. Roman soldiers built a nine-mile long, wooden aqueduct at Durnovaria (Dorchester) to supply fresh clean water to their fort.

Londinium

50 AD. The Romans realised the River Thames was an important highway and so developed a small settlement on the river's north bank into a busy trade centre. They called it Londinium (now London).

The statesman Seneca complains

Approx 50 AD. The statesman Seneca, who lived above a bath-house in Rome, complained about the "screams of those who were having their armpits plucked".

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51AD - 59AD

Caratacus flees to Celtic Queen Cartimandua

51 AD. Following defeat in Wales, British resistance leader Caratacus fled to the Celtic Queen Cartimandua near York, but she betrayed him and handed him over to the Romans.

Caratacus taken to Rome

51 AD. Caratacus and his family were taken to Rome, where they were marched through the streets in chains and taken to Claudius. Caratacus gave an impressive speech and Claudius freed them all.

Emperor Claudius murdered

54 AD. Emperor Claudius was murdered by his niece, Agrippina, who poisoned him with mushrooms. Nero became emperor at the age of 16 and proved to be a cruel and tyrannical leader.

Emperor Nero in power

59 AD. Emperor Nero had his own mother killed because he thought she was a threat to his power.

Mosaics

Around 55 AD. By this time, mosaics had become popular in Britain, just as they were back in Rome. Thousands of tiny coloured tiles were set in elaborate designs to decorate walls and floors.

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60AD - 61AD

Boudicca destroys Verulamium

60 AD. Boudicca, Queen of the Iceni tribe destroyed Verulamium (now St. Albans).

Boudicca leads uprising against the Romans

61 AD. Boudicca, Queen of the Iceni tribe, led an uprising against the Romans, but they were defeated. Nobody knows what happened to her - some say she was killed; some that she poisoned herself.

Suetonius Paulinus invades Anglesey

61 AD. Suetonius Paulinus invaded Anglesey, the home of many Druids - who were notoriously anti-Roman. But Paulinus' campaign was cut short due to the Boudiccan revolt.

Temple at Camulodunum destroyed

60 AD. A huge temple built by the Romans at Camulodunum (Colchester) was destroyed by the Celtic tribe Trinovantes. It was dedicated to Emperor Claudius, whom people were expected to worship.

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62AD - 65AD

Emperor Nero kills wife

62 AD. Emperor Nero had his wife, Octavia, killed so that he could marry Poppaea. Later he had Poppaea killed, too.

Joseph of Arimathea begins to convert people

63 AD. Joseph of Arimathea is said to have come to Britain and begun converting people to Christianity. He and 11 followers arrived in Glastonbury where they built a wattled church.

Romans begin to build elaborate baths and temples

Approx 65 AD. The Romans had taken over the existing Celtic shrine at Bath, where the Celtic goddess Sulis was worshipped, and began building elaborate baths and temples.

Rome destroyed by fire

July, 64 AD. A huge fire destroyed Rome. It burned for a week and left the city in ruins. People blamed Emperor Nero for the fire but he blamed the Christians and had many of them tortured and killed.

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66AD - 69AD

Emperor Nero dies

68 AD. Emperor Nero committed suicide. The year became known as 'the year of the four emperors' as Galba, Otho and Vitellius all ruled for a short time before Vespasian became emperor in 69AD.

Hairdressers were needed

Approx 67 AD. Women's hairstyles were becoming more elaborate, with lots of ringlets. Hairdressers were needed to create these styles, which were bulked up with false hair taken from slaves.

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70AD - 75AD

Acolonia at Camulodunum rebuilt

Approx 70 AD. Acolonia (town for military veterans) at Camulodunum (Colchester), which had been destroyed in the Boudiccan uprising, was rebuilt with the first city wall in Britain.

Eburacum

71 AD. A fortress was built at Eburacum (now York). Later it included houses, temples and public baths.

The building of the Colosseum

Approx 70 AD. Work began on the building of the Colosseum - a large amphitheatre in Rome. Entertainment held there included gladiators fighting to the death and people being killed by animals.

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76AD - 79AD

Agricola becomes governor of Britain

Approx 78 AD. Agricola became governor of Britain. He encouraged Britons to build temples, houses and public squares. He had British children educated and encouraged people to become 'more Roman'.

Agricola takes over Anglesey

78 AD. Agricola took over Anglesey, massacring the island's people, who lined the shore to fend off the Roman invasion. They were Druids and were described by the Romans as wild-haired and barbarian.

Britons begin to learn Latin and wear togas

Approx 79 AD. Agricola's efforts to Romanise the Britons were so successful that many people were learning Latin and wearing togas. The toga was a huge semicircle of fabric - usually unbleached wool.

Pompeii is buried as Vesuvius erupts

79 AD. The volcano Vesuvius erupted and buried the Roman towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

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80AD - 84AD

Agricola advances to Scotland

80-84 AD. Agricola, the Roman governor of Britain, advanced to Scotland, which was still unconquered.

Agricola's army takes southern Scotland

84 AD. Agricola's army took southern Scotland at the Battle of Mons Graupius, when 40,000 Roman troops beat the Caledonians in Aberdeenshire.

Lullingstone Roman villa

80 AD. Work began on Lullingstone Roman villa in Kent. It became a grand building with fine mosaics and was later extended to include a heated bath block.

The Colosseum opened

80 AD. The Colosseum opened and was dedicated by Emperor Titus. Within the first two weeks of opening, 2,000 men were killed there.

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85AD - 100AD

Agricola is recalled to Rome

87 AD. Agricola was recalled to Rome and military expansion ended.

Romans introduce many fruits and veg to Britain

Late first century AD. Pre-Roman Britons grew grain, beans and peas. The Roman introduced many fruits and vegetables, including carrots, parsnips, cabbages, turnips, plums, apples and pears.

The beginning of the market economy

Late first century AD. The Roman army needed to buy food for its soldiers, so farmers began to grow extra produce to sell, rather than just to live on - this was the beginning of the market economy.

Vindolanda

Approx 85 AD. The first fort was built at Vindolanda (Chesterholm, Northumberland). Thin wooden writing tablets found there reveal much about Roman life.

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101AD - 115AD

Trajan's Column completed

113 AD. Building of Trajan's Column completed in Rome to commemorate Emperor Trajan's military victories. It was made from huge marble drums. Inside, 185 steps lead to a viewing platform at the top.

Verulamium destroyed by fire

115 AD. Much of Verulamium (now St. Albans) was destroyed by fire. Afterwards, the city was rebuilt in stone, with many buildings having mosaic floors.

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116AD - 119AD

Emperor Trajan dies

117 AD. Emperor Trajan died. He was one of the few Roman Emperors who were considered 'good'. On his deathbed, Trajan named Hadrian as the new emperor.

Hadrian becomes Emperor

117 AD. Hadrian became emperor. At this point the Roman Empire was at its largest, stretching into France, Spain, North Africa, Egypt, Greece, Turkey and Syria.

Rebuilding The Pantheon

117 AD. Work began on completely rebuilding The Pantheon, a temple to all gods in Rome. It is still an excellent example of Roman architecture and features columns, mosaic floors and a concrete dome.

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120AD - 124AD

Beards - the new fashion for men

122 AD. Emperor Hadrian's visit to Britain ensured the popularity of the beard. Hadrian had a beard to hide a scar on his chin and this began a new fashion for men.

First canal built

120 AD. The first canal was built in Britain by the Romans. It is known as Foss Dyke (Fosse Dyke) and was used to transport people and goods on barges. It is still in use today.

Forts built along Hadrian's Wall

Approx 124 AD. Many forts were built along Hadrian's Wall. Housesteads Fort, near Hexham, housed 1,000 men and had flushing toilets; a row of seats over a channel, through which water was flushed.

Hadrian builds his wall

122 AD. Emperor Hadrian ordered the construction of a huge wall to keep out the Picts and other tribes from the north of Britain. It stretched 80 miles (120km) across the country.

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125AD - 130AD

Pantheon completed

125 AD. The Pantheon in Rome was completed. It was a temple to all the Roman gods, many of which were the same as ancient Greek gods but with different names. Romans also worshipped past emperors.

Roman poet Juvenal

125 AD. The Roman poet Juvenal famously said that "bread and circuses" were all that were needed to keep the Romans happy. He was referring to chariot racing.

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131AD - 145AD

Antonine Wall

140-144 AD. The Romans built the Antonine Wall across what is now Scotland. It was made from stone and turf and was supposed to replace Hadrian's Wall - 100 miles south - but kept being attacked.

Antonius Pius decides to build a wall

138 AD. The new emperor was Antonius Pius. He decided to build a new wall, north of Hadrian's Wall, to mark the top of Roman territory and, maybe, to show people that he was just as good as Hadrian.

Emperor Hadrian dies

138 AD. Emperor Hadrian died. He was considered to have been a good emperor and is most famous for ordering the building of Hadrian's Wall in the north of England.

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146AD - 162AD

Marcus Aurelius becomes emperor

161 AD. Marcus Aurelius became emperor. During his reign, he ordered strong walls to be built around Rome. They still stand today and are known as the Aurelian Walls.

Shaved heads - another fashion

Approx 161 AD. During Aurelius' reign, it was the fashion for Roman men to shave their heads. Before this, Roman men kept their hair short, a few having it curled with curling irons.

Two main temples were in use at Springhead

Approx 150 AD. Two main temples were in use at Springhead near Dartford. Religion was a mix of Roman and Celtic beliefs. Both worshipped many gods, but the Romans also worshipped past emperors.

Verulamium again destroyed by fire

155 AD. Another disastrous fire at Verulamium (now St. Albans). The city was rebuilt and included a theatre with wooden seating and earth banks.

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163AD - 175AD

Antonine Wall is abandoned

Around 164 AD. The Antonine Wall (in what is now Scotland) was abandoned by the Romans, who withdrew back to Hadrian's Wall.

King Lucius converts Britons to Christianity

Approx 167 AD. King Lucius is said to have sent the missionaries Phagan and Deruvian to Britain to convert the people to Christianity.

Lucius Verus dies

169 AD. Co-emperor Lucius Verus died in battle, leaving Marcus Aurelius to rule as sole emperor.

Plague taken to Rome

166 AD. Troops returned victorious from the Parthian War (in modern Iran), but took the plague to Rome. Plague became a frequent problem, with soldiers and traders spreading it around the empire.

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176AD - 182AD

Commodus becomes emperor

180 AD. Aurelius' son, Commodus, became emperor - one of the worst ever. In the amphitheatre, he often dressed as a gladiator and, fully armed, killed opponents who had only wooden weapons.

Emperor Marcus Aurelius dies

180 AD. The popular Emperor Marcus Aurelius died in battle.

Romans begin to bury their dead

Approx 180 AD onwards. Romans began to bury their dead, rather than cremate them. Bodies were dressed for the journey to the underworld, sometimes with a coin in the mouth to pay for the trip.

Systematic persecution of Christians begins

Approx 177 AD. A systematic persecution of Christians began. They were seen as unpatriotic because they would not worship the Roman Emperor. Many Christians worshipped secretly in underground tunnels.

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183AD - 195AD

Emperor Commodus dies

31st December, 192 AD. The unpopular Emperor Commodus was strangled in his sleep.

Emperor Pertinax dies

193 AD. Short reign of Emperor Pertinax, who was assassinated after barely three months. The reign of Didus Julianus, who succeeded him after winning the title in an auction, was even shorter.

Lucius Artorius Castus leads his troops to Gaul

184 AD. Lucius Artorius Castus, a Roman commander, led his troops to Gaul to quell a rebellion. Some people believe his story is the basis for similar tales about King Arthur.

Septimius Severus becomes emperor

193 AD. Septimius Severus became emperor and ruled until 211AD. He persecuted Christians, ordering them to be imprisoned or beheaded.

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196AD - 199AD

Clodius Albinus proclaims himself emperor

February 19, 197 AD. British governor Clodius Albinus proclaimed himself emperor and invaded Gaul (France), where he was beaten by Emperor Septimius Severus at Lugdunum (Lyon). Albinus killed himself.

Conversion to Judaism or Christianity made illegal

202 AD. Emperor Septimius Severus made it illegal to convert anyone to Judaism or Christianity, in the hope of stopping the spread of these religions.

Emperor Severus gives Roman soldiers a pay rise

Around 197 AD. Emperor Severus gave Roman soldiers a pay rise and allowed them to marry while in service. There was also more chance of promotion.

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200AD - 205AD

Eburacum is made capital of Britannia Inferior

Around 200 AD. Eburacum (York) was made the capital of Britannia Inferior (Upper Britain).

Wall built around Londinium

Around 200 AD. A wall was built around the important town of Londinium (London) to protect it. It enclosed about one square mile and traces can still be seen today.

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206AD - 210AD

Alban of Verulamium was killed

209 AD. Alban, of Verulamium (now St Albans), was beheaded for refusing to renounce his faith. On the way to the execution, Alban converted the executioner to Christianity and he became a martyr, too.

Emperor Severus tries to invade north Britain

208 AD. Emperor Severus arrived in Britain and tried to invade north Britain (now Scotland). Unsuccessful, his army retreated to Hadrian's Wall, which they began to strengthen.

Empress Julia Domna's hairstyle copied

208 AD. Empress Julia Domna, a Syrian princess, visited Britain with her husband, Emperor Severus. Her hairstyle - crimped by the face with a large roll at the back of the neck - was soon copied.

Imperial Court set up

208 AD, Emperor Septimius Severus and his son, Caracalla, set up the Imperial Court in Eboracum (York). From there, Severus ruled the Roman Empire until his death.

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211AD - 220AD

All males of Alexandria, Egypt, killed

215 AD. Emperor Caracalla gave orders for all the males of Alexandria, Egypt, to be killed, some say for disrespecting him. An estimated 20,000 people were massacred.

Emperor Caracalla announcement

212 AD. Emperor Caracalla announced that all freeborn people living in the Roman Empire could call themselves Romans.

Emperor Caracalla killed

April 217 AD. Emperor Caracalla was assassinated by one of his own bodyguards. Macrinus, who was part of the plot against Caracalla, became the new emperor.

Emperor Septimius Severus dies

February 211 AD. Emperor Septimius Severus died in Eboracum (now York). He was one of the few emperors to die of natural causes - most were murdered. His sons, Caracalla and Geta, became co-emperors.

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221AD - 249AD

1,000th anniversary of Rome

248 AD. All year, the Roman Empire celebrated the 1,000th anniversary of Rome with games organised by Emperor Philip the Arab. Exotic animals were shown in the arena and killed for entertainment.

Colosseum restored after it's struck by lightning

238 AD. The Colosseum was restored after being struck by lightning several years before.

Maximinus Thrax becomes emperor

235 AD. Maximinus Thrax became Roman Emperor, marking the start of the Crisis of the Third Century. During this time, there were more than 35 emperors in 40 years and the empire almost collapsed.

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250AD - 255AD

Edict issued calling for return of pagan beliefs

250-251 AD. Emperor Trajan Decius issued an edict calling for the return to the old pagan beliefs, which started a new period of persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire.

Rome hit by another plague

Approx 250-252 AD. Rome was hit by another plague. Emperor Trebonianus Gallus made sure all plague victims receive a proper burial, even if they could not afford it.

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256AD - 269AD

Emperor Valerian killed

Approx 259-260 AD. Emperor Valerian was captured by the Persians, tortured and executed. His body was skinned and the skin, stuffed with straw, was hung in a temple as a warning to enemies.

Gallic Empire formed

Approx 260 AD. Gaul (France), Britain and Spain broke away from the Roman Empire to form the Gallic Empire under the Roman general Postumus.

Roman general Postumus murdered

268 AD. The Roman general Postumus was murdered by his own troops.

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270AD - 279AD

Gallic Empire surrendered back to Rome

274 AD. The Gallic Empire's third emperor, Tetricus, surrendered the independent empire back to Rome on the condition that Roman Emperor Aurelian would spare him.

The Saxon Shore fort

Around 270 AD. The Saxon Shore fort system was probably begun. It was a chain of forts built along the south and east coasts of Britain to guard against invasion and piracy by Germanic tribes.

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280AD - 285AD

Diocletian divides the empire

284 AD. Diocletian became Emperor of Rome, divided the empire into two and appointed Maximian as co-emperor. Diocletian ruled the east, while Maximian ruled the west.

Newport Roman villa built

Approx 280 AD. Newport Roman villa (farmhouse) was built on the Isle of Wight. It included a Roman hypocaust (heating) system. Floors were raised with furnaces beneath them to heat the room above.

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286AD - 290AD

Carausius accused of keeping stolen goods

286 AD. Carausius, a Roman naval commander, was given the job of keeping Saxons and pirates away from Britain. But he was accused of keeping the goods stolen by the raiders.

Carausius rebels and proclaims himself emperor

286 AD. Carausius, commander of the Roman British fleet, rebelled and seized control of Britain and northern France, proclaiming himself emperor.

Emperor Maximian begins to build fleet

288-289 AD. Emperor Maximian began to build up a fleet to tackle the rebel Carausius, but it was destroyed by a storm before he could use it.

Emperor Maximian in power

287 AD. Emperor Maximian was too busy fighting the Germans to deal with self-styled Emperor Carausius.

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291AD - 301AD

Baths of Diocletian built in Rome

Approx 298 AD. The Baths of Diocletian (Thermae Diocletiani) were built in Rome. They were the largest and most sumptuous of the imperial baths, with marble facades and room for 3,000 bathers.

Britain returned to the Roman empire

296 AD. Allectus was defeated by Constantius Chlorus and Britain was returned to the Roman Empire.

Carausius is murdered

293 AD. Carausius, self-styled emperor, was murdered by one of his own troops, Allectus, who took control of Britain.

Romano-Celtic temple-mausoleum built

Approx 300 AD. A Romano-Celtic temple-mausoleum was built at Lullingstone Villa, in Kent, to hold the bodies of a young man and woman. Buried with the bodies were drinks, knives and a board game.

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302AD - 305AD

Diocletian and Maximianus retire

May 305 AD. Co-emperors Diocletian and Maximianus retired from office.

Emperor begins to pass laws against Christians

302-304 AD. Emperor Diocletian began passing laws against Christians, commanding that churches be knocked down and Bibles burnt. Christians had to make an offering to the Roman gods - or be killed.

Emperor's wife becomes a Christian

Approx 303 AD. The emperor's wife, Alexandria, became a Christian after the death of St George. She, too, was executed.

Saint George

Approx 303 AD. The new anti-Christian laws caused a high-ranking soldier - George - to complain to the Emperor. George was dragged through the streets and beheaded. He became known as Saint George.

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306AD - 310AD

Emperor Constantine became emperor of the west

306 AD Constantine was proclaimed Emperor of the western part of the empire. He was later known as "The Great" because of the changes he made.

The fashion for beards ends

306 AD. Emperor Constantine was clean-shaven, so many men followed suit, and the fashion for beards ended.

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311AD - 312AD

Christians allowed to meet again

311 AD. Galerius, Emperor of the eastern part of the empire, finally gave up trying to make Christians return to the pagan religions and allowed them to meet as long as they caused no disruption.

Christians begin to attack the Mitharism religion

Approx 312 AD. Christians began to attack anything to do with Mithraism, a religion common among Roman soldiers. The worship of Mithras was similar to Christianity so Christians felt threatened.

Constantine and Maxentius fought at Milvian Bridge

312 AD. The Roman emperors Constantine and Maxentius fought at Milvian Bridge, near Rome. Constantine killed Maxentius after having a vision which he took to mean that God was on his side.

Constantine became Western Augustus

312 AD. Following his defeat of Maxentius, Constantine became Western Augustus - emperor of the whole of the western half of the empire.

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313AD - 329AD

British bishops allowed to attend church gathering

314 AD. For the first time, three British bishops attended a continental church gathering, the Council of Arles.

Constantine becomes emperor of the whole empire

324 AD. Constantine defeated the eastern ruler, Licinius, and became emperor of the whole of the Roman Empire.

Emperor Constantine bans gladiatorial combat

Approx 325-326 AD. Emperor Constantine banned gladiatorial combat, but it is thought to have continued until the next century.

Emperor Constantine bans trade on a Sunday

321 AD. Emperor Constantine banned trade on Sundays and made Sunday a rest day, to honour the Christian Sabbath.

Emperor Constantine makes Christianity legal

313 AD. Emperor Constantine passed the Act of Toleration, making Christianity legal.

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330AD - 350AD

Byzantium rebuilt as Nova Roma

330 AD. Emperor Constantine rebuilt the city of Byzantium, calling it Nova Roma (New Rome) and making it the capital of the Roman Empire. It also became known as Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey).

Emperor Constantine dies

337 AD. Emperor Constantine died. On his deathbed, he was baptised as a Christian. He was succeeded by his three sons, Constantine II, Constans and Constantius.

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351AD - 370AD

Barbarians revolt against the Romans

367 AD. The barbarians (non-Romans) revolted against the Romans. Picts, Scots and Attacotti, helped by Saxon pirates, overran Hadrian's Wall and caused devastation around Britain.

Roman Britain attacked from all directions

360s AD. Roman Britain was attacked from all directions by the Picts, Scots Attacotti, Franks and Saxons. Special Roman armies were sent to resolve the problem.

Roman general Theodosius drove out the barbarians

369 AD. Roman general Theodosius drove out the barbarians and restored order. Hadrian's Wall was repaired and signal stations built along the north-eastern coast.

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371AD - 380AD

Christianity official religion of the Roman Empire

380 AD. Eastern Roman Emperor Theodosius I was baptised as a Christian. He announced Christianity to be the official religion of the Roman Empire.

The Visigoths revolt

378 AD. The Visigoths (in Germany), reduced to poverty by Roman law, revolted and defeated an army of 40,000 including the Emperor Valens.

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381AD - 389AD

Hadrian's Wall comes under attack

388 AD. With many Roman soldiers away in Italy, native tribes took the opportunity to attack the remaining Roman forces. Hadrian's Wall came under attack and the Romans suffered great defeats.

Magnus Maximus defeats invasion at Hadrian's Wall

Approx 381-382 AD. The Roman army general Magnus Maximus defeated an invasion of Picts and Scots at Hadrian's Wall.

Magnus Maximus invades Gaul

383 AD. Magnus Maximus invaded Gaul (France) and fought the western emperor Gratian. Most of Gratian's troops switched to Maximus' side and Gratian fled, only to be caught and killed at Lyon.

Magnus Maximus was proclaimed emperor

383 AD. Magnus Maximus, an army general, was proclaimed emperor by his British troops.

Maximus is killed after his invasion of Italy

387-388 AD. Maximus invaded Italy to try to take over from the western emperor Valentinian II. Eastern emperor Theodosius in the east came to help defeat Maximus who was captured and killed.

Theodosius banned all pagan sacrifice

Around 381 AD. Pagan worship was still allowed, but Theodosius, the eastern emperor, banned all pagan sacrifice.

Theodosius I becomes emperor in the east

379 AD. Theodosius I became emperor in the eastern empire and made peace with the Visigoths. He offered them land and incorporated their army into the Roman forces.

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390AD - 394AD

Emperor expelled from the church

390 AD. The church had become powerful and, following a massacre on the order of Theodosius I, Bishop Ambrose expelled the emperor from the church. He was only allowed back in after doing penance.

Pagan worship banned and temples closed

391 AD. Pagan worship was banned and temples closed. Anyone caught predicting the future by examining a chicken's entrails was executed. Christianity had become the official religion in the empire.

Sacred fire of Vesta stops burning

394 AD. The sacred fire of Vesta stopped burning. It had burned continuously in Rome for many years and was maintained by the Vestal Virgins, who were whipped if they let it go out.

Theodosius fights and wins at the River Frigidus

394 AD. Theodosius fought and won a fierce battle at the River Frigidus against Eugenius, who had seized the throne two years before. Alaric the Visigoth led a detachment of the Roman army.

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395AD - 399AD

Emperor Theodosius dies

395 AD. Emperor Theodosius died, leaving the empire to his sons. Arcadius, who was 18, became eastern emperor and Honorius - who was only 10 - emperor in the west. The empire was seen as weakening.

Roman troops called to defend Rome from invasion

399 AD. Roman troops were called back from Britain as they were desperately needed to defend Rome and other parts of the empire, which were being attacked by barbarians (non-Romans).

Stilicho begins transferring military authority

396 AD. The Roman commander, Stilicho, who controlled the west on behalf of the 11-year-old emperor Honorius, began transferring military authority from Rome to Britain.

The death of Emperor Theodosius brings revolt

Around 397 AD. After the death of Emperor Theodosius, barbarians (non-Romans) took the opportunity to attack various parts of the empire. Many Roman generals revolted, too.

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400AD - 404AD

Alaric and the Visigoths carry out invasions

401-402 AD. Alaric and the Visigoths (of Germany) carried out several invasions of Italy but were beaten by the Roman Stilicho and his army.

Hadrian's Wall was abandoned

Approx 400 AD. Hadrian's Wall was abandoned, although some historians say this happened up to 20 years earlier. Over time, the wall became derelict and its stone was taken for building.

Telemachus becomes St Almachius

404 AD. Telemachus, a monk, rushed into an arena in Rome to part the gladiators but was killed by the furious crowd. Emperor Honorius banned gladiatorial contests and Telemachus became St Almachius.

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405AD - 407AD

Constantine III declares himself western emperor

407 AD. Constantine III declared himself emperor in the West. He led a revolt in Britain, withdrawing remaining Roman troops to set up a Gallic (French) empire and deal with the invaders.

Roman army in Britain decides to mutiny

Approx 406-407 AD. The remaining Roman army in Britain decided to mutiny.

Rome invaded again

405-406 AD. Rome was invaded again, this time by a group of barbarians under the Gothic (German) leader Radagasius. Again, Stilicho defeated them.

The River Rhine freezes

December 406-January 407 AD. The River Rhine froze over and armies of Germanic invaders, including Vandals, Alans and Suebi, crossed over it into Gaul (France).

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408AD - 409AD

Alaric the Goth invades

408 AD. Alaric the Goth invaded Italy and starved out the citizens of Rome. After a lot of bargaining, the starving citizens paid him in gold, silk, leather and pepper.

Britons began fighting for themselves

409 AD. Roman authority in Britain was breaking down, so Britons began fighting for themselves.

Emperor Honorius' actions cause outrage

408 AD. Emperor Honorius was persuaded to have the army commander Stilicho, who was also his father-in-law, executed. Roman soldiers in Italy were outraged and walked out.

End of Constantine III's short western empire

409 AD. The Vandals, Suebi and Alans invaded Spain from Gaul (France), marking the end of Constantine III's short western empire.

Revolts against the Romans become more common

408 AD. With Roman legions withdrawn, Britain suffered devastating attacks by the Picts, Scots and Saxons. Revolts against the Romans became more common.

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410AD

Attacks force Romans to leave Britain

410 AD. Barbarian (non-Roman) tribes attacked Roman territory in Britain and forced the Romans to leave the country and head for Gaul (France).

Britain to defend itself

410 AD. Emperor Honorius officially told the people of Britain to defend themselves - the country no longer had any connection with Rome.

Constantinople becomes capital of Roman Empire

410 AD. Constantinople (now Istanbul) became capital of what remained of the Roman Empire.

Goths attacked Rome

August 410 AD. For three days, the Goths, under their king, Alaric, attacked Rome, killing people, looting property and destroying buildings.

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