Timeline of Rome

Roman History Timeline – The 6th Century BC

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This text focuses on the 6th century BC in Italy and neighboring regions, a time of expanding Greek colonies (particularly in southern Italy and Sicily), Etruscan and Samnite advances in Campania, and the transition from monarchy to republic in Rome. It highlights prominent figures such as the poets Stesichorus, Anacreon, and Ibycus, as well as philosophers and lawgivers like Pythagoras and Charondas. Monumental temple-building projects (e.g., at Selinus, Metapontum, Syracuse, and Poseidonia) reflect the vibrant cultural scene, while key political events—such as the foundation of the Roman Republic in 510 BC—foreshadow the wider transformations yet to come.

I. Early 6th Century BC (c. 600–580 BC)

  1. (c.) Pompeii is founded in Campania by Oscans.
  2. (c.) Herculaneum is founded by Samnites; soon taken over by Greeks.
  3. (c.) Charondas of Katane, eminent lawgiver, flourishes—provides codes for Chalcidian Greek cities in Magna Graecia and Sicily.
  4. (c.) Rhegium (Reggio di Calabria) produces two notable poets: Anacreon and Ibycus.
  5. (c.) Stesichorus (Tisias/Teisias), nicknamed “Choirmaster,” flourishes in Himera (or possibly Mataurus). He shapes Greek lyric poetry by introducing the choral “heroic hymn” and the epode form, strongly influenced by Homer.

c. 600 BC

  • 45th Olympiad.
  • Earliest known Latin inscriptions.
  • Romans construct the Cloaca Maxima (early municipal sewage system).
  • Samnites begin expanding through central/southern Italy.
  • Etruscans found Capua in Campania—destined to become Italy’s second city after Rome.
  • Dorian Greeks from Locri Epizephyrii found Medma and Nikotera (Calabria).
  • Temple C built at Metapontum (earliest temple there, possibly dedicated to Athena).
  • Temple C at Selinus (to 550 BC), likely dedicated to Apollo (6×17 columns, 63.7 m × 24 m). It endures many disasters until a 5th-century AD earthquake.
  • Possible eruption of Vesuvius.
  • (c.) Oscan settlement at site of future Surrentum (Sorrento).

599 BC

  • Kamarina founded by Syracuse (alt. 598 BC).

596 BC

  • 46th Olympiad.

592 BC

  • 47th Olympiad.

588 BC

  • 48th Olympiad. Glaukias (Glykon) of Kroton victor in the Stadion.

584 BC

  • 49th Olympiad. Lykinos of Kroton victor in the Stadion.

583 BC

  • Gela establishes an aristocratic republic lasting until 573 BC.

582 BC

  • Pythian Games established at Delphi (traditional date), open to all Greek athletes (unlike nobility-restricted Olympics). Continue until 4th century AD.

581 BC (c.)

  • Akragas (Agrigento) founded by Gela colonists. Sets up an aristocratic republic (to 573 BC) (alt. 580 BC).

II. Mid-6th Century BC (580–560 BC)

580 BC

  • 50th Olympiad.
  • First war in western Sicily between Elymian Segesta and Greek Selinus (to 576 BC).
  • Greeks attempt to expel Carthaginians from Sicily by attacking Lilybaeum—unsuccessful.
  • Isthmian Games begin at Corinth.

579 BC

  • King Lucius Tarquinius Priscus of Rome dies.

578 BC

  • Servius Tullius becomes sixth king of Rome.

576 BC

  • 51st Olympiad. Eratosthenes of Kroton victor in the Stadion.

575 BC (c.)

  • Lipara (Lipari) colonized by Cnidian Greeks under Pentathlos (site of modern Castello).
  • Doric temple of Apollo (and Artemis?) built at Syracuse.

574 BC

  • Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon captures Tyre, severing Carthage’s ties with its mother city.

573 BC

  • Phalaris “the Cruel” seizes power in Akragas—tyranny lasts until 554 BC (alt. 570 BC). Notorious for the brazen bull torture.

572 BC

  • 52nd Olympiad. Tisandros of Naxos victor in boxing.

570 BC (c.)

  • Theognis of Megara, poet, flourishes (to 490 BC).
  • Two great temples at Metapontum:
    • Temple B (570–530 BC), likely dedicated to Hera.
    • Another temple (570–540 BC) dedicated to Apollo.
  • Sybaris builds a treasury at Foce del Sele (unfinished when Sybaris is destroyed in 550 BC).
  • Pythagoras born at Samos (alt. 560 BC).

568 BC

  • 53rd Olympiad. Tisandros of Naxos wins boxing again.

565 BC (c.)

  • Temple of Apollo at Syracuse: earliest monumental stone architecture in Sicily (6×17 columns, 21.57 m × 55.33 m).
  • Possible eruption of Mt. Etna.

564 BC

  • 54th Olympiad. Hippostratos of Kroton wins the Stadion, Tisandros of Naxos wins boxing.

560 BC (c.)

  • Etruscans occupy Nola.
  • 55th Olympiad: Hippostratos of Kroton (Stadion) and Tisandros of Naxos (boxing) repeat victories.
  • The “Basilica” at Poseidonia (Paestum) is built, likely for Hera (9×18 columns, stylobate c. 24.51 m × 54.27 m).

III. Late 6th Century BC (559–530 BC)

556 BC

  • 56th Olympiad.

555 BC (c.)

  • Temple of Zeus Olympios at Syracuse (6×17 columns, c. 22.40 m × 62.05 m stylobate).

554 BC

  • General Telemachus overthrows Phalaris in Akragas; Phalaris is executed in his own brazen bull.
  • Telemachus rules to 550 BC.

552 BC

  • 57th Olympiad.

550 BC

  • Carthaginians and Etruscans form an alliance against Greeks in Sicily and Magna Graecia.
  • Theron I takes power in Akragas, eventually replaced by another tyrant, Pythagoras.
  • Theater at Syracuse is built.
  • Temple F at Selinus (61.83 m × 25.33 m, 14 columns per side), dedicated to Athena or Dionysus.
  • Akragas and Gela separate, dividing territory at the River Himeras.
  • Camerina frees itself from Syracuse.
  • Carthaginian general Malchus succeeds in Sicily, fails in Sardinia, is exiled and executed for rebellion.
  • King Servius Tullius builds first permanent city wall around Rome.
  • Earliest known Messapic inscriptions in SE Italy.

548 BC

  • 58th Olympiad.

544 BC

  • 59th Olympiad.

540 BC

  • 60th Olympiad. Milo (Milon) of Croton wins Boys’ Wrestling.
  • Gelon I, future tyrant of Gela/Syracuse, is born.
  • (c.) Xenophanes of Colophon (b. 580 BC) settles at Elea.

536 BC

  • 61st Olympiad.

535 BC (c.)

  • Alcmaeon of Kroton is born. A key physician/philosopher, he pioneers eye surgery, identifies optic nerve and Eustachian tube, studies embryology and the brain.
  • Phocaean Greeks abandon Alalia (Corsica) under Etruscan/Carthaginian threat. Some move to Massalia, others to Lipara, then found Elea (Campania).
  • Tarquinus Superbus (Tarquin the Proud) becomes seventh/last king of Rome.

532 BC

  • 62nd Olympiad.

530 BC (c.)

  • Pythagoras of Samos (b. 570 or 560 BC) settles at Kroton. Founds the Pythagorean School with an inner circle (mathematikoi) and outer circle (akousmatics). Emphasizes mathematical reality, moral purification, and loyalty.
  • Epicharmus of Syracuse, comedic playwright, is born (alt. Megara Hybaea or Cos).
  • Etruscans advance into Campania, taking Pompeii.
  • Dicaearchia (Puteoli, Pozzuoli) is founded by Samian Greeks in Campania.

IV. Very Late 6th Century BC (529–503 BC)

528 BC

  • 63rd Olympiad.

525 BC (c.)

  • Theano of Thurii, early female mathematician/astronomer, flourishes. Wife of Pythagoras, continues his school with her daughters.
  • Greeks at Morgantina first use Acroliths (partial statues).

524 BC

  • 64th Olympiad.
  • Growing Greek power in N Campania alarms Dauni and Aurunci, who join Etruscans at Capua to attack Kyme (Cumae).
  • Aristodemus Malacus defends Kyme and becomes tyrant (alt. 525 BC).

520 BC

  • 65th Olympiad.
  • (c.) Tavole Palatine at Metapontum (to 510 BC), a temple to Hera on a site already sacred.

516 BC

  • 66th Olympiad.

515 BC (c.)

  • Parmenides of Elea, founder of Eleatic philosophy, is born. Argues unchanging reality versus illusory change.

512 BC

  • 67th Olympiad.

511 BC

  • Kroton, led by Milo, destroys Sybaris (alt. 510 BC).

510 BC

  • Romans overthrow Etruscan monarchy, founding the Roman Republic.
  • Pythagorean Society at Kroton is attacked by Cylon, who accuses it of plotting a takeover. Pythagoras escapes to Metapontum and dies; many followers are killed. Pythagorean ideas nonetheless survive and spread, later splitting into factions.
  • Temple of Heracles at Akragas is constructed (6×15 columns, stylobate 25.34 m × 67.00 m).
  • “Underground Shrine” at Poseidonia built—possibly a heroon or chthonic deity shrine.
  • Pythagoras, tyrant of Akragas, is overthrown; an aristocratic republic is restored (to 488 BC).

509 BC

  • L. Junius Brutus and P. Valerius Publicola become first Roman Consuls.

508 BC

  • 68th Olympiad. Pantares of Gela becomes first Sicilian Greek to win chariot racing at Olympia.
  • Roman census: 130,000 citizens.

507 BC

  • Possible first treaty between Rome and Carthage, defining spheres of influence (Sardinia and Sicily under Carthage). Alt. date 509 BC.

505 BC (c.)

  • Aristodemus Malacus of Kyme defeats Etruscans at Aricia, weakening Etruscan power over Latium—a boon for the new Roman Republic (alt. 506 BC).
  • Cleander becomes tyrant of Gela (to 498), possibly son of Pantares.

504 BC

  • 69th Olympiad.

503 BC

  • Roman census: 120,000 citizens.