This Week in Ancient History

Posted by
Robin Fowler
Mar 12, 2006

March 12, 538 - Vittigis, the leader of the Goths, is defeated by Roman General Belisarius in the Goths' attempted siege of Rome

March 15, 44 B.C. - "Beware the Ides of March" - Julius Caesar, Dictator of the Roman Republic, is assassinated in Rome by a group of Senators, paving the way for the Roman Empire. Et tu, Brute?

March 16, 37 - Tiberius, the second Emperor of the Roman Empire, dies at the age of 77

March 16, 455 - Valentinian III, Emperor of Rome, is assassinated

March 17, 45 B.C. - Julius Caesar soundly defeats Pompey at the Battle of Munda. This victory finalized Caesar's capaign to become dictator of Rome.

March 17, 180 - Marcus Aurelius, known as the last of the "five good Emperors", dies in modern-day Vienna while on conquest. Unlike in the film Gladiator, his son Commodus did not murder him to become Emperor. Marcus Aurelius fatefully allowed Commodus' succession, bringing to an end the long Pax Romana (the peace of Rome).

March 18, 37 - Caligula is proclaimed third Emperor of Rome by the Senate, negating the will of the late Emperor Tiberius. The Senate should have followed their late chief's wishes, for Caligula for eccentric, cruel, and most likely insane. After a short and corrupt reign as Emperor, he was assassinated in AD 41 by his own guards.