Gaul, 1st Century B.C. Rome takes its first steps to world domination. Spurred on by unprecedented growth, the empire believes the rest of the world will eagerly bask in its civilising light. Emperor Augustus consolidates power after the murder of his great uncle, Julius Caesar. Rome: Rise and Fall of an Empire IV: The Forest of Death
Varus is being led into a trap deep in the Teutoburg forest. ibid.
Under Varus’s watch the standards and the battle are lost. ibid.
General Tiberius mobilizes his exhausted troops. Tiberius is sent along with eight legions and auxiliary armies to reinforce the Rhine frontier. ibid.
Tiberius will take his place as emperor. ibid.
In the first century A.D. Rome’s forces find themselves in a legendary land which still lies beyond her reach: Britannia. Rome: Rise and Fall of an Empire V: The Invasion of Britain
By the fourth decade A.D. it stretches from the sands of Arabia to the rocky coast of the North Sea. In every corner it seduces its enemies with trade and luxury all backed by the iron fist of the most disciplined army ever known. ibid.
In 84 A.D. Emperor Domitian battles against barbarians on the frontier and treachery in the Senate until a bloody conspiracy sets Rome on a new course – and Emperor Trajan brutally finishes what Domitian has started. Rome: Rise and Fall of an Empire VI: Dacian Wars
Domitian is only 45 at the time of his assassination; he has reigned for 15 years. ibid.
The zenith of the Empire: now after three centuries of relentless war Rome stands at the centre of the world, a lone superpower without rival. Rome: Rise and Fall of an Empire VII: Rebellion and Betrayal
The Romans are slow to recognise the threat of a new barbarian horde bent on the Empire’s utter destruction. ibid.
By 160 A.D. the border stretches across 3 continents and 400,000 soldiers protect the 50 million people lucky enough to live inside. ibid.
The third century A.D. as the Roman Empire struggles against foreign invasions and the growing power of Christianity, one emperor emerges from the chaos – his name is Decius, a leader who calls upon brutal warfare and ancient pagan gods to deliver Rome from the powerful forces tearing it apart. Rome: Rise and Fall of an Empire VIII: Wrath of the Gods
250 A.D.: A deadly uncontrollable plague sweeps the empire … The disease ravages the empire. ibid.
Threatened by barbarian attacks on all fronts, the people of Rome live in constant fear. As the crisis deepens, insurgents seize control, dividing the empire against itself. Until a new ruler emerges – his name is Aurelian. Rome: Rise and Fall of an Empire IX: The Soldier’s Emperor
Emperor Claudius is forced to march his army north meeting the Alemanni warriors at Lake Garda: Claudius and his men face a brutal enemy. ibid.
News of rising conflict from the city of Palmyra on the Empire’s eastern frontier. ibid.
The Empire now faces rebellion in Rome itself. ibid.
To the north the Roman territories of Gaul and Britain have fallen under the unlawful rule of a mutinous Roman army. ibid.
In the troubled days of the Roman Empire many rulers vie for power; out of this chaos one man emerges eliminating his rivals and uniting the Empire under a new God – his name is Constantine. Rome: Rise and Fall of an Empire X: Constantine
Diocletian rules with an iron fist. ibid.
In 303 A.D. Emperor Diocletian issues an edict against all Christians that becomes known as the Great Persecution. ibid.
The West is defended by Emperor Valentinian in Rome while Emperor Valens defends the East in Constantinople. Rome: Rise and Fall of an Empire XI: The Barbarian General
They are the Goths and what they want is Roman land. ibid.
‘With Alaric they become the first barbarian people to create a kingdom inside the Empire.’ ibid. Michael Kulikowski, University of Tennessee
Alaric and his tribesmen invade Italy and lay siege to Rome in 410 A.D. ibid.
Now in the 5th century, over 500 years after the death of Julius Caesar, the Roman Empire is ravaged by war and is quickly losing land to its foreign invaders. In the midst of this chaos three Roman generals compete for power as Emperor. Rome: Rise and Fall of an Empire XII: The Puppet Master
Rome has lost control of the Mediterranean. ibid.
In the field hospitals of Gaul, Aegidius and his men recover from the Gothic attack. But he knows there will be more. ibid.
Rome’s control of the Empire’s once-great western province is swept away by a storm of barbarian warlords and kings. Rome: Rise and Fall of an Empire XIII: The Last Emperor
Rome is powerless against one of the largest barbarian forces the Empire has ever seen – the Huns. ibid.
The last Emperor hides … there is no escape. ibid.
Road-building is one of the great indicators of a successful nation … Planning, precision and scope … Roman road building stretched over eight centuries. In Search of History s2e14: Roman Roads: Paths to Empire, History 1997
At the heart of the most powerful empire of the ancient world stands Rome. For 500 years it has ruled by elected government. But in little over a decade this Republic was overthrown by the ambitions of one man. Julius Caesar: The Making of a Dictator, BBC 2023
The election of the new high priest of Rome is imminent. The surprise contender is 37-year-old Julius Caesar. ibid.
Rome is increasingly divided. Over 100 years of violent question it’s grown from a small city to a vast empire. ibid.
The conspirators are betrayed before they can act. Five senators, one a former consul, are arrested and await their fate. ibid.
‘Rising to his feet a man who will become his nemesis: Cato.’ ibid.
For Caesar, Pompey is the model of success. ibid.
It’s the spring of 58 B.C. The people of Gaul face a new and grave threat. Julius Caesar has completed his year as Consul of Rome and set his sights on conquest. In this foreign land there are few rules to constrain him. His army is carving its way through the country. Julius Caesar: The Making of a Dictator II: Veni, Vidi, Vici
‘It’s brutal, it’s punishing, it’s genocidal on scale.’ ibid. Tom Holland
Caesar ensures news of his conquest reaches the people of Rome. ibid.
Pompey, Crassus and Caesar carve up the Roman world. ibid.
With the Triumvirate firmly in control of Rome Caesar sets his sites on even greater glory. ibid.
‘The city is ungovernable, it is uncontrollable.’ ibid. historian
For three years Julius Caesar has been fighting a bloody civil war for control of the Roman Republic against his former ally, Pompey the Great. But now Pompey is dead. And Caesar gives thanks to the gods for his victory. He will soon return to Rome. Julius Caesar: The Making of a Dictator III: Ides of March
But in less than two years Caesar will be dead and the Roman Republic will lie in ruins. ibid.
He takes controls of Rome’s laws, finances, armies and elected officials. ibid.
While resentment towards Caesar festers, he grows increasingly impatient with petty Roman politics. ibid.
He was one of the heroes of antiquity – Hannibal. A unique military operation immortalised him. The crossing of the Alps with a gigantic army and his legendary war elephants. Yet where Hannibal crossed the Alps has been a matter of dispute for more than 2,000 years. Hannibal: A March on Rome, History 2024