Rome

In February 313 AD, the Edict of Milan was signed by the Roman emperors Constantine I and Licinius, granting religious tolerance throughout the Roman Empire. This was a pivotal moment for Christianity, as it allowed Christians to practice their religion openly without fear of persecution. The edict was a significant step towards the eventual Christianization of the Roman Empire.

On September 4, 476 AD, Romulus Augustulus, the last emperor of the Western Roman Empire, was deposed by the Germanic king Odoacer. This event is traditionally marked as the end of the Western Roman Empire. Rome's fall led to the fragmentation of Europe into smaller, feudal kingdoms and paved the way for the rise of medieval European states.

In 509 BC, the last king of Rome, Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, was overthrown by the Roman people. The event marked the transition from monarchy to republic. This significant political shift led to the establishment of the Roman Republic, which was characterized by a complex system of checks and balances and a senate that governed the city and its territories.

According to tradition, Rome was founded on April 21, 753 BC, by Romulus and Remus. These twin brothers were raised by a she-wolf and became important figures in Roman mythology. On this day, they decided to build a city on the Palatine Hill. Romulus later killed Remus and became the first king of Rome, marking the beginning of the Roman Kingdom.

On December 25, 800 AD, Charlemagne was crowned Emperor of the Romans by Pope Leo III in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. This event marked the revival of the title of Emperor in Western Europe and laid the foundation for the Holy Roman Empire. Charlemagne's coronation symbolized the fusion of Roman, Christian, and Germanic elements that characterized the Middle Ages.

The Black Death, one of the deadliest pandemics in human history, reached Rome in January 1348. The bubonic plague, spread by fleas living on rats, killed millions across Europe. In Rome, the impact was devastating, with a significant portion of the population succumbing to the disease. The epidemic profoundly affected European society, economies, and culture, lasting for several years.

The Capture of Rome by the Kingdom of Italy on September 20, 1870, marked the end of the Papal States and completed the unification of Italy. Rome then became the capital of the new Italian state. This significant event represented both a culmination of the Risorgimento movement and a shift in power, as the Pope's political authority was drastically diminished.

The Lateran Treaty was signed on February 11, 1929, between Italy and the Holy See, leading to the establishment of Vatican City as an independent state. This agreement resolved longstanding disputes between the Italian government and the Papacy following the unification of Italy. The treaty recognized the sovereignty of the Papacy and granted the Holy See financial compensation for the loss of the Papal States.

On July 19, 1943, Rome was bombed by Allied forces for the first time during World War II. The attack targeted railway yards and resulted in considerable destruction and significant civilian casualties. The bombing marked a crucial moment in the war as Allies intensified their efforts to weaken Italian resistance and led to turmoil within the Italian government, eventually contributing to Mussolini's downfall.

The Great Fire of Rome began on July 18, 64 AD, and lasted for several days, destroying much of the city. Historical accounts, notably those by the historian Tacitus, suggest that Emperor Nero may have started the fire deliberately to clear space for his new palace, the Domus Aurea. This event had significant social and political repercussions, including the persecution of Christians whom Nero blamed for the fire.

In 27 BC, Octavian, the adopted son of Julius Caesar, was granted the title of Augustus by the Roman Senate, marking the beginning of the Roman Empire. Augustus established the principate, a system that retained the facade of republican rule while distributing significant power to the emperor. This marked a new era of stability and expansion for Rome.

On March 15, 44 BC, Julius Caesar, the dictator of Rome, was assassinated in a conspiracy led by Brutus and Cassius. Known as the Ides of March, this event marked a turning point in Roman history as it led to the fall of the Roman Republic and paved the way for the rise of the Roman Empire under Caesar's heir, Octavian (later known as Augustus).