The history of Ancient Rome: a timeline

From Octavian’s victory at Actium to its traditional endpoint in the West, the Roman Empire lasted a solid 500 years—one-fifth of all recorded history. The story of Rome—and the strategic planning that grounded that history—is longer and more complex than many historians haven grappled with, until now. 

By employing an expansive definition of strategy and by focusing much of the narrative on crucial historical moments and the personalities involved, James Lacey provides a comprehensive, persuasive, and engaging account of the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. 

Explore the key moments that shaped the empire in the timeline below: