This Week: The Battle that Made the Roman Empire

Posted by Robin Fowler Aug 27, 2006

August 27, 479 B.C. - The Persian Wars come to an end, with the Greeks victorious at the Battle of Mycale and the Battle fo Plataea, which was fought by an alliance of Greek city-states, including Corinth, Sparta and Athens.

August 27 - The Roman festival of the Volturnalia was celebrated on this date. It was celebrated in honor of Volturnus, a Roman river god. He was celebrated with feasts, games, and plenty of wine on this day.

August 31, A.D. 12 - Future Roman Emperor Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, a.k.a. Calligula (Latin for "little boots"), was born on this date. He was the 3rd Emperor of Rome, from A.D. 37 - 41, and is known for having been very eccentric, depraved, and cruel. He was killed by his own guards in A.D. 41.

August 31, A.D. 161 - Future Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus, or simply Commodus, was born on this date. His is generally recognized as one of the worst Emperors in Roman history. He ruined Rome's economy and political structure by giving high offices to incompetent and corrupt men. He loved gladiatorial games, both watching them and participating in them, and spent a lot of Rome's money on each event. He was choked by a wrestler in his own bath in A.D. 191.

September 1, 5509 B.C. - According to the Greek Byzantine calendar, the world was created on this date.

September 2, 44 B.C - Cleopatra VII declares her son (by Julius Caesar) co-ruler, and names him Ptolemy XV Caesarion. He was murdered by Augustus in August, 30 B.C.

September 2, 31 B.C. - The Battle of Actium took place on this date. In this pivotal battle over control of Rome, Octavian (Augustus) defeats Mark Antony and Cleopatra. Octavian would go on to rule Rome as the first Emperor Augustus. Cleopatra died on August 12, 30 B.C., either by suicide of by the hands of Octavian. Mark Antony committed suicide on August 1, 30 B.C., thinking Cleopatra had already done so.