27 B.C.E.–68 C.E.

Julio-Claudian emperors; expansion into northern and western Europe

ca. 50 B.C.E.– 20 C.E.

“Golden age” of Latin literature

ca. 3 B.C.E.–ca. 29 C.E.

Life of Jesus

69–96 C.E.

Flavian emperors; restoration of order

70 C.E.

Rebellion crushed in Judaea

96–180 C.E.

Era of the “five good emperors,” with relative peace and prosperity

193–211 C.E.

Emperor Septimius Severus expands Rome’s borders in Africa and western Asia

212 C.E.

Edict of Caracalla makes all free males living in Roman Empire citizens

235–284 C.E.

Barracks emperors; civil war; breakdown of the empire; economic decline