The history of Ancient Rome dates back to the founding of the city of Rome in 753 BC. e. before the fall of the Roman Empire created under him in 476 AD. e.
247 - according to the new chronology, a grand celebration took place on the occasion of the millennium of Rome. Accordingly, 753 BC. was fixed by this event as the year of the founding of Rome (the traditional date according to Varro). This celebration was beneficial for the then emperor - Philip of the Arabian. The state was in a complex political crisis, aggravated by many wars that devastated the state treasury. Only the emperor's tribesmen, who had significant influence in the empire, could provide material assistance for the event.
This celebration did not improve the position of the ruling elite, and after 2 years the legions in Pannonia declared Decius (or Decius Etrusca) emperor. The representative of the Arabian people Philip and his co-regent son died in a battle with Decius near Verona. Another Etruscan dynasty came to power: Decius and his co-ruler son Herennius.
In response to this, the Goths invaded Moesia (the lower Danube) and Thrace, who adopted the Judeo-Christian doctrine and supported Philip the Arabian. After a long war, the Gothic tribes captured Philippopolis (present-day Plovdiv). Decius with his son Herenius Etruscan perished in the war with the Goths in 251. The same year is known for the great campaign of the Scythian-Sarmatian tribes under the command of Kniva in the Roman Empire and the subsequent frequent change of emperors.
These events were confirmation of the centuries-old course of the struggle for power in Rome of the Arabian and local dynasties. Let's remember how it all began.
At the beginning of the first millennium BC, the Etruscans created a union of 12 cities - the Twelve-Grade, headed by Volsinia, where the rulers of the cities that were part of it gathered for councils and religious ceremonies. Rome was not the largest city and was one of the members of this union.
In 510-509 BC e. in Rome, a revolt of a part of the population took place and the king Tarquinius the Proud was expelled. These events were preceded by the gradual resettlement to this city and the acquisition of the rights of the townspeople by the ancient Greeks (pagan Jews). Scientists have long established the Semitic origin of this people and their scattering throughout the world.
By the period described, this people had already captured the south of Italy and Sicily and tried to seize from the Etruscans the initiative to dominate the Strait of Messina, which separated Italy from Sicily. On the shore of the strait, the city of Sybaris, allied to the Etruscans, was famous for the delicacy of its citizens (Sybarites), which was the naval base of the Etruscans, which allowed them to keep control over the most important strategic and trade artery of antiquity. The deployment of large-scale events began with the capture of Sybaris by the Greeks and its complete destruction in 510 BC. e., then events spread to Rome.
Promotional video:
The deposed Roman ruler went for help to Clusium, the seat of the newly elected head of the Etruscan twelve-city of Porsena. Here Tarquinius met with support, it remained only to obtain the consent of the council of heads of state in Wulsna (Wolsinia). Porsen went there, notifying in advance everyone on whom the decision depended.
After the positive decision of the kings, Porsen sent ambassadors to Rome demanding the return of the throne to Takvinia. The Romans defiantly refused. Then Porsena sent the following message to them: “I am going to war against you. I will be at the Janiculum with an army in a month.
This news of the imminent approach of the Etruscan army stirred up Rome and its environs. Inhabitants of villages and cities subordinated to Rome began to flock to the city. The military aid of the Greeks arrived here urgently. At the same time, the Greeks attacked Sybaris, defeated his army, and razed houses and temples to the ground. (This fact confirms the difference between religions. At that time people were very afraid of the wrath of the gods, therefore they never attacked temples. Approx. Aut.)
The eternal rival of Ancient Rome, Carthadasht (in Roman - Carthage), benefited from the current situation. The Carthaginians, who owned Sardinia in the Tyrrhenian Sea, previously concluded treaties with Etruscan cities. Now they have entered into a treaty with Ruma (Rome), separated from the Etruscan twelve grades.
The Greek historian Polybius copied this text of the treaty, which made it possible for him to reach our time. It shows that the Carthaginians had the opportunity to trade with the coastal cities of Latium, while Roman ships did not allow the port of Carthage. Thus, the wise Carthaginians defended themselves from Greek expansion and penetration into their territories, which aroused among subsequent generations of Roman Greeks an ineradicable hatred for this ancient state and its complete destruction after the defeat in the Punic Wars (264-146) in 146 BC. e.
In the official history, for some reason, it is customary to divide the history of Ancient Rome into two stages. The first begins its countdown from the conquest of Rome by the Greeks (509 BC), including the conquest of the Apennine Peninsula by Rome and the formation of the Roman-Italic alliance (V1-111 centuries BC). It includes the creation of the Roman Mediterranean Power (111-1 centuries BC), which is commonly called the Roman Republic. During this period, the "forgetfulness" of the new government about the real founders of Rome appeared. "Etruscan non legatur" - Etruscan is not read, - this expression appeared in everyday life and is being replicated to this day.
The second stage in the history of Ancient Rome begins with the fall of the republican system in the 30s of the 1st century BC. and the formation of the Roman Empire. The ground for the formation of the empire was prepared by Gaius Julius Caesar, who was able, within the framework of the republican system, to actually erect a military monarchy. During the period of incessant civil wars and internal strife, which literally tore the state apart, he managed, having defeated his opponents, not only to keep the giant state from collapse, but also to strengthen its borders.
The second stage in the history of this state is also called the history of imperial Rome. The beginning of the collapse of the Empire falls on the time when the "Greek" emperors of the Flavian dynasty came to power, who replaced the Etruscan Julian dynasty (from the son of Aeneas).
293 - on the political Olympus of the empire, the star of Constance I Chlorus shone. His full name is Emperor Caesar Mark Flavius Valerius Constantius Augustus. The founder of his family, Josephus Flavius, was the commander-in-chief of the Jewish troops in the Jewish war with Rome in 66-70. At that time he bore the name Joseph-ben-Matatia and belonged to a noble priestly Jewish family.
Assessing the situation, Joseph came with an expression of obedience to the emperor Vespasian, for which he was cursed by his own people, but treated kindly in Rome. Vespasianus Flavius gave him his family name and allotted lands, at the same time donating his family estate. 26 years later, not a single bearer of the family name Flavius survived in Rome (they were all killed), except for the "adopted" Flavius Joseph with his large family. Having received the rights of Roman citizens under Vespasian, this clan later played a leading role in the impoverishment and collapse of the Empire.
For 100 years from the beginning of the reign of Flavius Constantius Chlorus until the collapse of the Empire under Flavius Theodosius I, 33 emperors were replaced: 19 were from Flavians and 14 from other dynasties, mainly Etruscan. Representatives of "non-Greek" dynasties rarely managed to be in power for several years, and even then as co-rulers. As a rule, their reign ended with death already this year.
A kind of "record" was set by Claudius Sylvanus Augustus, the leader of the Franks, in 355 - he ruled for only 28 days and was killed by his successor, Caesar Flavius Claudius Julian Augustus (better known as Julian II the Apostate).
The following year, Julian was killed in a campaign against the Persians. His successor, Jovian, is said to have led a policy of returning to old traditions and made peace with the Persians. Apparently this was the prerequisite for the fact that he soon died of poison on the border of Bithynia in Dadastan. Since that time, both emperors from the Flavian clan again: Flavius Valentinian 1 - the emperor of the West (up to 375), his younger brother Valens - the emperor of the East (up to 378).
Under these Christian emperors, taxes to the state treasury were sharply increased and the bishops were given full freedom to collect their taxes and donations for Christian churches. Increasingly, indignation of the people began to arise, which led to the brutal suppression of the riots and huge human casualties. 371 - The terror reached incredible strength, especially in the East. In connection with the case of Theodore, who was accused of striving for supreme power, a great many people were exterminated.
378, August - Valens, who was thirsty for military laurels, approached the Thracian city of Adrianople (now Edirne, in the European territory of Turkey), who was thirsting for military laurels, where a battle took place with the Gothic cavalry (Scythians), which upset the battle formations of Valens' troops, which were finally defeated by the infantry (Celts). The emperor himself was wounded by an arrow and died in one of the destroyed houses.
His co-ruler, the son of his late brother Valentinian, Gratian, appoints a new emperor of the East with the title of August. It becomes Theodosius I of the Flavian family, a distant relative of the emperors, who was born in Spain. Another August, since 375, was the minor Valentinian II, the son of Valentinian I from another wife of Justina.
Gratian was a very zealous Judeo Christian. 383 - he dealt a carefully prepared crushing blow to all pagan cults, giving the strictest order to confiscate all property belonging to the temples of the ancient pagan gods. The operation was carried out at a strictly appointed time and everywhere. The people did not want to put up with such a situation in the empire.
In the same year, a rebellion broke out in Britain and the Spaniard Magnus Maximus was proclaimed emperor. Gratian at that time was in Parisia (modern. Paris). Magnus Maximus set out for Gaul. The Gallic troops betrayed Gratian, he turned to flee, but he was overtaken and killed. Everything happened so quickly that the emperor Theodosius did not have time to come to the aid of Gratian. Justina with Valentinian II managed to escape to Thessaloniki (modern Thessaloniki in Northern Greece) to Theodosius.
During the three years of his reign, Magnus Maximus significantly expanded his territories and extended his power to the lands up to the German border and Spain, founding his capital. In 386, the unrecognized emperor, and therefore the usurper Magnus Maximus, was recognized by the emperors Theodosius I and Valentinian II, at the court of the latter the franc (?), Commander-in-chief Flavius Bouton gained influence. The next year, Magnus Maximus invaded Italy, Valentinian and his mother again flee to Theodosius.
Valentinian returned to Mediolani (present-day Milan) as August of the West only after the death of Magna Maximus in 388 under the auspices of the Frank Arbogast, who was in the imperial service as commander.
A few days later, Valentinian was found dead in the palace, and Arbogast spread the rumor that he had committed suicide. This happened in May 392. Almighty Arbogast did not bother to seize the imperial power, but gave it to a major official, the orator Eugene.
To stay in power, the Christian Eugene gave almost complete freedom of action to the very influential Roman senator Nicomachus Flavian, although he was a supporter of paganism. Nicomachus Flavian immediately restored the cults of not only Roman, but also foreign gods: he made sacrifices to the Egyptian Isis and Asia Minor Ma - the Great Mother of the Gods. Eugene returned to the Roman pagans all the property of the temples that Gratian had taken from them in 383.
Nicomachus Flavian was not only a prominent politician, but also a writer: his historical work (the genes of the Flavians make themselves felt) "Annals" he dedicated to the Emperor of the East Theodosius I, the official co-ruler of Gratian from 378 BC.
Theodosius moved troops against Arbogast and Eugene, who had captured Rome. In the battle of Aquileia in Northern Italy in 394, Theodosius won a victory. Eugene was captured and killed, and Arbogast committed suicide. Nicomachus Flavian also died a violent death, apparently against the wishes of Theodosius. 40 years later, his memory was rehabilitated by the grandsons of Theodosius, emperors Theodosius II and Valentinian III.
The zealous Christian Theodosius, remaining the sole ruler of the empire, proclaimed Christianity as the religion of the entire Roman Empire, which largely met the spiritual needs of society, because sweet consolation and confidence in finding bliss in the next world was of particular value for a person of the late Roman Empire, who for 3 -4 centuries. was tormented by ruinous taxes, monstrous arbitrariness of the authorities and fear of the invasion of barbarians; although Theodosius did not abuse his power, the possibility of wild arbitrariness has always been an integral feature of the imperial power, and the emperor's sword hung all the time over any inhabitant of the empire, especially over the noble and rich; the fun of the Roman nobility was essentially a "feast in the time of the plague." No one in the Roman Empire could be sure of the future.
Pagan cults were especially tenacious in rural areas, so that in Latin the word paganus (rural) acquired a new meaning - “pagan” (hence the Russian word “rotten”; in the epics, the Tatars have the epithet filthy, that is, non-Christians).
Theodosius died on January 17, 395; before his death, he divided the empire between his sons Arkady and Honorius: the first received the East, the second - the West. The lot of the younger brother - the West by that time was considered the worst lot, all their lives the brothers were at enmity with each other.
By the beginning of the 5th century, Rome began to lose its importance as a capital city. 404 - under the threat of a barbarian invasion, Honorius left Rome and moved to Ravenna, which was protected by strong walls and surrounded by impenetrable swamps. Rome itself in 410, after a long siege, was taken by the troops of Alaric and subjected to serious plunder.
Due to the fact that the Goths had already adopted Christianity, there could be no question of plundering temples and killing civilians - their leader personally controlled the execution of his decree. After 3 days, Alaric and his barbarians voluntarily left Rome, took away huge treasures and took with him among the captives the young and beautiful sister Honoria.
The Western empire began to slowly fall apart. Back in 408, the Roman legions stationed in Britain proclaimed their emperor - Constantine, and the German legions - Jovin. Both new emperors, filled with overflowing energy, immediately set about conquests: they invaded Gaul from both sides, for which Honorius did not have the strength, and captured it.
Year after year, the Western Roman Empire was inevitably approaching its inglorious end. 461 - the uncrowned ruler of Italy - Ricimer elevated a certain Liby Severus, an insignificant man, to the emperor; having no real power and showing nothing of himself, he was destroyed by Ricimer in the fall of 465.
For more than a year, Ancient Rome did without an emperor: Ricimer did not want to burden himself with the imperial crown and, at the same time, was in no hurry to place it on someone's head. Meanwhile, Leo I, the emperor of the East, intervened in the affairs of the dying Western Roman Empire. Ricimer had to agree with the candidacy of the new emperor in the person of the noble Eastern Roman senator Procopius Anthemius. Soon, Ricimer retired to Mediolani, giving Procopius the opportunity to solve all problems himself. 472 - Ricimer took Rome by storm, Procopius was killed, the barbarians ravaged the city for the third time.
With the consent of Ricimer, the distinguished Eastern Roman senator Olybius became emperor. An epidemic of plague began, from which Ricimer died, and in speed and Olibius, who instead of the late Ricimer appointed his nephew, Gundebald, commander-in-chief of the empire's troops.
Over the next 2 years, several people visited the imperial throne. One Roman commander on the estate of Orestes, originally from Pannonia, did not want to accept the title of emperor, but made his teenage son emperor under the name Romulus Augustus. Historians called him Augustulus, which means Augustishka.
During these years, one of the most influential military commanders among the Romans was Odoacer (a native of the Rugi or Skir tribe), who decided that it was more profitable for his warriors, who were a motley mixture of tribes, to settle in the lands of Italy than to be paid by the ghostly emperors. Therefore, he demanded that a third of Italy be given to them for settlement. After the refusal was received, the soldiers of Odoacer revolted. August 3, 476 is considered the last day of the Western Roman Empire.
Imperial power so lost its meaning that Odoacer did not want to become emperor and sent the signs of imperial power (crown and purple mantle) to Constantinople to Emperor Zeno. At the behest of Odoacer, the Roman Senate made an official decision that the Western Roman Empire no longer needed its own emperor and that there would be one emperor for the whole empire in Constantinople.
Thus, the fall of the Western Roman Empire outwardly resembled the restoration of the unity of the entire empire, the center of which finally moved to the East and began to be called Byzantium.
E. Gladilin