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Roman History Roman history is a process spanning approximately 2800 years and is generally divided into three main periods (the legendary founding is accepted as 753 BC): The Roman Kingdom (753 BC – 509 BC) Founded, according to legend, by Romulus and Remus (twins suckled by a wolf). Seven kings ruled, the last (Tarquinius Superbus) overthrew due to his tyranny. The Roman Republic (509 BC – 27 BC) The kingdom collapsed, and a republic was established, ruled by a Senate and elected consuls. It unified Italy, defeated Carthage (Punic Wars), and conquered Greece, Egypt, the Middle East, and much of Europe. Civil wars (Marius – Sulla, Caesar – Pompeius) and power struggles eventually led to the collapse of the republic. Roman Empire (27 BC – 476 AD West / 1453 AD East) Octavianus (Augustus) became the first emperor → Pax Romana (200 years of relative peace and golden age). Reached its widest borders (from Britain to Mesopotamia, from North Africa to the Rhine-Danube). Divided into East and West in 395 AD. Western Rome fell in 476 due to barbarian invasions (Odoacer). Eastern Rome continued until it was conquered by the Ottomans in 1453.