On February 5, 146 BCE, the Roman Republic finally triumphed over its nemesis, Carthage, after over a century of fighting. The victory and subsequent destruction of the city of Carthage marked the end of the Punic Wars and represented Rome's replacement of Carthage as the dominant power of the Western Mediterranean, a position it would hold for the next … Continue reading February 5, 146 BCE – Punic Wars, between Rome and Carthage, came to an end
Tag: Rome
December 27, 1983 – Pope John Paul II visits the man who attempted to assassinate him almost two years earlier
Pope John Paul II was elected to the papacy following the death of the popular "Smiling Pope", Pope John Paul, after just 33 days in office. Cardinal Karol Wojtyla of Poland took the name of Pope John Paul II in deference to his predecessor. At just 58 years old, the new Pope became the youngest … Continue reading December 27, 1983 – Pope John Paul II visits the man who attempted to assassinate him almost two years earlier
December 21 69 Coronation of Roman Emperor Vespasian
On December 21st 69 the coronation of Titus Flavius Vespasianus took place. He was the first Roman Emperor to ascend the throne in relative peace following the demise of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty and the disastrous reign of Nero. The year 69 AD was known in Roman history as the year of the Four Emperors. Nero's … Continue reading December 21 69 Coronation of Roman Emperor Vespasian
November 1 1512 Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling opens to public
On November 1st 1512, the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome, one of Italian artist Michelangelo's finest works, was exhibited to the public for the first time. Michelangelo Buonarroti, the greatest of the Italian Renaissance artists, was born in the small village of Caprese in 1475. The son of a government administrator, he grew … Continue reading November 1 1512 Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling opens to public
August 30 30 BCE Cleopatra commits suicide
On August 30th 30 BCE, Cleopatra, queen of Egypt and lover of Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, took her life following the defeat of her forces against Octavian, the future first emperor of Rome. Cleopatra, born in 69 BCE, was made Cleopatra VII, queen of Egypt, upon the death of her father, Ptolemy XII, in … Continue reading August 30 30 BCE Cleopatra commits suicide
August 24 79 Eruption of Mount Vesuvius
On August 24th 79, Mount Vesuvius near Pompeii, Italy, began to erupt; within the next 25 hours, it wiped out the entire town. Hundreds of years later, archaeologists excavated Pompeii and found everything and everyone that had been there that day perfectly preserved by the volcano's ash. Pompeii, about 90 miles south of Rome, was … Continue reading August 24 79 Eruption of Mount Vesuvius
Craig Hill 