Gaius Julius Caesar born into the patrician Julian family in Rome, claiming descent from Venus through the Trojan hero Aeneas.

Caesar leads his legions across the Rubicon river, igniting civil war against Pompey and the Senate. "The die is cast."

Struck at a military mint traveling with Caesar's army in Africa. Venus on obverse, Aeneas carrying Anchises on reverse. Crawford 458/1.

Julius Caesar assassinated on the Ides of March by a conspiracy of senators including Brutus and Cassius. Rome plunges into civil war again.

Octavian, Caesar's adopted heir, receives the title "Augustus" from the Senate. The Roman Republic ends; the Empire begins.

Born in Bethlehem during Augustus's census. "In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world." — Luke 2:1

Struck at Lugdunum (Lyon). Portrait of Augustus on obverse; his adopted heirs Gaius and Lucius on reverse. RIC 210. Both heirs would die before their grandfather.

Augustus dies at age 75 after ruling for 41 years. Succeeded by his stepson Tiberius. The Pax Romana — two centuries of relative peace — is well underway.

Jesus crucified under Pontius Pilate, Roman prefect of Judaea. Within decades, Christianity spreads across the Empire.

Bronze prutah struck in Jerusalem by Governor Felix. Names both imperial heirs — Nero and Britannicus — months before Claudius's murder. Felix imprisons the Apostle Paul (Acts 23–24).

Nero becomes emperor after Claudius's death. His reign ends with the Great Fire of Rome (AD 64), persecution of Christians, and his suicide in AD 68.

Roman legions under Titus destroy the Second Temple in Jerusalem, ending the Jewish Revolt. The Temple has never been rebuilt.

Trajan rules as "Optimus Princeps" — the best leader. The Empire reaches its maximum territorial extent. He conquers Dacia (modern Romania) and builds Trajan's Column.

The 30-metre Column is dedicated in Rome to commemorate the Dacian Wars. Its spiral frieze depicts 2,500 figures in 155 scenes. It still stands today.

Silver denarius struck at Rome. Portrait of Trajan on obverse; Trajan's Column on reverse with eagles at base. RIC 356.