List of Roman civil wars and revolts facts for kids

This article lists the many civil wars and major rebellions that happened in ancient Rome. This includes the time of the Roman Kingdom, the Roman Republic, and the Roman Empire. It covers events until the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD. For wars in the Eastern Roman Empire (also called the Byzantine Empire), you can look at the List of Byzantine revolts and civil wars. For wars Rome fought against outside enemies, see List of Roman external wars and battles.

From when the Roman Republic started in 509 BC, civil wars were rare. But things changed with the Crisis of the Roman Republic (134–44 BC). This was a time of great political trouble. Many historians debate if these wars caused the end of the Republic or if the end of the Republic caused the wars. Either way, constant civil wars marked the end of the Republic. They also led to the start of the Roman Empire in 27 BC.

The first 100 years of the Empire saw many revolts in lands Rome had conquered. The next century (the 2nd century AD) was quite peaceful. But political trouble returned with the Crisis of the Third Century (235–284 AD). During this time, at least 26 civil wars happened in just 50 years. Many people, called usurpers, tried to take the emperor's throne. The 4th and 5th centuries AD also had many usurpers. The last Roman emperor was removed in 476 AD by the Germanic King Odoacer. This event marked the final civil war and the end of the Western Roman Empire.

Historians study Roman civil wars carefully. Sometimes, what Romans called a "civil war" might be seen differently by modern historians. Roman leaders often used propaganda, which changed how these struggles were written about. For example, some revolts were actually civil wars but weren't called that by Roman writers.

Early Roman Conflicts and Revolts

6th Century BC

• 509 BC: Overthrow of the Roman monarchy – The Roman kings were removed, and the Republic began.
• 509 BC: Tarquinian conspiracy – A plot to bring back the kings failed.

5th Century BC

• 500–287 BC: Conflict of the Orders – This was a long political fight. It was between the plebeians (common people) and patricians (rich, noble families) in the Roman Republic.

3rd Century BC

• 241 BC: Falisci revolt – A local revolt that was quickly stopped.
• 216–203 BC: Many of Rome's Italian allies joined the Carthaginians. This happened during the Second Punic War.

2nd Century BC

• 135–132 BC: First Servile War in Sicily – A large slave revolt that was put down.
• 125 BC: Fregellae's revolt – A revolt by a Roman ally that was stopped.
• 104–100 BC: Second Servile War in Sicily – Another slave revolt that was also put down.

Civil Wars and Major Rebellions in the 1st Century BC

The Social War

• 91–87 BC: Social War – Rome fought against many of its Italian allies. The allies wanted Roman citizenship. Rome won, but many allies eventually got citizenship.
  • 89 BC: Battle of Asculum – A major Roman victory against the rebels.

Sulla's Rise to Power

• 88 BC: Sulla's first march on Rome – General Sulla marched his army on Rome. This made his enemy, Gaius Marius, an outlaw.
• 87 BC: Bellum Octavianum – A civil war between two consuls, Cinna and Octavius. Cinna's side won.
• 83–81 BC: Sulla's civil war – Sulla fought against Cinna's supporters. Sulla won this war. Some historians see the whole period from 88–82 BC as one long civil war.
  • 82 BC: Battle of Colline Gate – Sulla won a decisive battle near Rome. This ended the civil war.

Sertorian War and Slave Revolts

• 80–72 BC: Sertorian War – Rome fought against provinces in Hispania (Spain). They were led by Quintus Sertorius, a former supporter of Marius. Sulla's side won.
• 73–71 BC: Third Servile War in Italy – This was a huge slave revolt led by Spartacus. It was eventually crushed.
  • 73 BC: Battle of Mount Vesuvius – Spartacus defeated a Roman army.
  • 71 BC: Battle of the Siler River – Marcus Crassus finally defeated Spartacus's army.

Catiline's Conspiracy

• 63–62 BC: Catilinarian conspiracy – A failed attempt by Catiline and his followers to overthrow the Senate. The Senate won.
  • 62 BC: Battle of Pistoria – Catiline's forces were defeated by loyal Roman armies.

Caesar's Civil War

• 49–45 BC: Caesar's civil war – A major war between Julius Caesar and the Optimates. The Optimates were first led by Pompey the Great. Caesar won this war.
  • 49 BC: Battle of Ilerda – Caesar's army surrounded Pompey's forces, forcing them to surrender.
  • 48 BC: Battle of Pharsalus – Caesar decisively defeated Pompey, who then fled to Egypt.
  • 46 BC: Battle of Thapsus – Caesar defeated the Pompeian army in North Africa.
  • 45 BC: Battle of Munda – Caesar won his last battle in Hispania.

After Caesar's Death

• 44 BC: Revolt of the Allobroges in Gaul – A revolt that was stopped.
• 44–43 BC: War of Mutina – The Senate's army fought against Mark Antony and Lepidus. They later joined forces.
• 44–42 BC: Liberators' civil war – The Second Triumvirate (Octavian, Antony, Lepidus) fought against Brutus and Cassius. These were Caesar's assassins. The Triumvirate won.
  • 42 BC: First Battle of Philippi and Second Battle of Philippi – Antony and Octavian defeated Brutus and Cassius.

Later Conflicts of the Republic

• 42–36 BC: Bellum Siculum – Octavian and Agrippa fought against Sextus Pompey, Pompey's son. The Triumvirate won.
• 41–40 BC: Perusine War – Octavian fought against Mark Antony's brother and wife. Octavian won.
• 32–30 BC: War of Actium or Final War of the Roman Republic – Octavian and Agrippa fought against Antony and Cleopatra. Octavian won, becoming the sole ruler.
  • 31 BC: Battle of Actium – Octavian decisively defeated Antony and Cleopatra in a naval battle.
• 30–29 BC: Revolt of the Morini and Treveri in Northern Gaul – A revolt that was stopped.
• 4 BC: Revolt of Jews in Judea – A revolt that was stopped.

Revolts and Civil Wars in the Roman Empire

1st Century AD

• 6–9 AD: Bellum Batonianum – A large alliance of tribes in Illyricum rebelled. Roman legions led by Tiberius and Germanicus put down the revolt.
• 9 AD: Battle of the Teutoburg Forest – A Roman commander named Arminius joined Germanic rebels. They ambushed and destroyed three Roman legions. This led Rome to give up its lands northeast of the Rhine River.
• 17–24 AD: Tacfarinas' revolt in North Africa – A revolt that was stopped.
• 60–61 AD: Boudican revolt – Queen Boudica led the Iceni and other Celtic tribes in Britannia. They rebelled against Rome. The revolt was stopped by Gaius Suetonius Paulinus.
  • 60 AD: Battle of Camulodunum – Boudica's forces captured and sacked Camulodunum and Londinium.
  • 61 AD: Battle of Watling Street – Boudica was defeated by Suetonius Paullinus.
• 66–73 AD: First Jewish–Roman War – A major Jewish revolt against Rome. It was eventually put down.
  • 73 AD: Siege of Masada – The Sicarii (Jewish rebels) were defeated by the Romans.

Year of the Four Emperors

• 68–69 AD: Year of the Four Emperors – A Roman war of succession after Emperor Nero died. Generals Galba, Otho, and Vitellius each took the throne for a short time. General Vespasian, who was fighting in Judaea, finally won. He started the Flavian dynasty.
  • 69 AD: First Battle of Bedriacum – Vitellius defeated Emperor Otho.
  • 69 AD: Second Battle of Bedriacum – Vespasian's forces defeated Emperor Vitellius.
• 69–70 AD: Revolt of the Batavi – A revolt in Gaul that was stopped.

2nd Century AD

• 115–117 AD: Kitos War – A Jewish revolt against Rome.
• 132–135/136 AD: Bar Kokhba revolt – Another major Jewish revolt against Rome.

Year of the Five Emperors

• 193–197 AD: Year of the Five Emperors – Another Roman war of succession. Generals Septimius Severus, Pescennius Niger, and Clodius Albinus fought for power. This happened after Commodus was killed. Severus won and started the Severan dynasty.
  • 197 AD: Battle of Lugdunum – Septimius Severus defeated and killed his rival Clodius Albinus. This gave him full control of the Empire.

3rd Century AD

• 218 AD: Battle of Antioch – Emperor Macrinus was defeated by his rival Elagabalus. Elagabalus became the new emperor.

Crisis of the Third Century

• 235–284 AD: Crisis of the Third Century – This was a very troubled time. At least 26 people claimed to be emperor. They fought many civil wars. This led to parts of the empire breaking away, like the Gallic Empire (260–274 AD) and the Palmyrene Empire (270–273 AD).
• 238 AD: Year of the Six Emperors – Several generals fought against Emperor Maximinus Thrax. After Maximinus was killed, Pupienus, Balbinus, and Gordian III became emperors.
• 249 AD: Emperor Philip the Arab was killed and replaced by Decius.
• 253 AD: Aemilianus and Valerian became emperors. Emperors Trebonianus Gallus and Volusianus were killed by their own soldiers.
• 260–274 AD: The breakaway Gallic Empire formed in the west.
• 270 AD: Aurelian became emperor, fighting against Quintillus.
• 270–273 AD: Palmyrene War – Rome fought against the breakaway Palmyrene Empire.
  • 272 AD: Battle of Immae and Battle of Emesa – Aurelian decisively defeated Zenobia, the queen of Palmyra.
• 274 AD: Battle of Châlons – Aurelian defeated the Gallic emperor Tetricus. This brought the whole empire back under central control.
• 284–285 AD: Diocletian fought against Carinus to become emperor.
  • 285 AD: Battle of the Margus – Diocletian defeated Emperor Carinus, who was killed.

After the Crisis

• 284–286 AD: Bagaudae uprising in Gaul – A revolt that was stopped.
• 286–296 AD: Carausian revolt in Britain and northern Gaul – A revolt that was stopped.

Civil Wars in the 4th Century AD

The Roman Empire under the Tetrarchy. This map shows the areas controlled by Constantius (yellow), Maximian (green), Galerius (pink), and Diocletian (purple).

The 4th century began with civil wars that led to Constantine I becoming emperor. After he died, the empire slowly became Christian. There were also wars with the Sassanid Persians and Germanic tribes, along with many more civil wars.

Civil Wars of the Tetrarchy

• 306–324 AD: Civil wars of the Tetrarchy – These wars started with Maxentius trying to take power. They ended with Constantine I defeating Licinius in 324 AD. These wars broke up the Tetrarchy system of rule.
  • 312 AD: Battle of Milvian Bridge – Constantine I defeated Maxentius and took control of Italy.
  • 324 AD: Battle of Adrianople and Battle of Chrysopolis – Constantine decisively defeated Licinius. This made Constantine the sole ruler of the entire empire.

Later 4th Century Conflicts

• 340 AD: Civil war – Constans defeated and killed his brother Constantine II.
• 350–353 AD: Roman civil war of 350–353 – Constantius II defeated the usurper Magnentius, who had killed Constans.
  • 351 AD: Battle of Mursa Major – Emperor Constantius II defeated Magnentius.
• 351–352 AD: Jewish revolt against Constantius Gallus – A Jewish rebellion in Syria Palaestina that was stopped.
• 365–366 AD: Revolt of Procopius – Emperor Valens defeated the usurpers Procopius and Marcellus.
• 367–368 AD: Great Conspiracy – Rebellions along Hadrian's Wall and failed invasions of Britain by various tribes.
• 372–375 AD: Revolt of Firmus in Africa – A revolt that was stopped.
• 378 AD: Tanukh revolt against Rome – Arab rebels led by Queen Mavia fought against Roman rule in Syria. The revolt ended in a truce.
• 383–384 AD: Magnus Maximus took power in the west. Emperor Gratian was killed.
• 387–388 AD: Battle of the Save – The Eastern Emperor Theodosius I defeated the Western Emperor Magnus Maximus.
• 392–394 AD: Civil war – Theodosius I defeated the Western Emperor Eugenius.
  • 394 AD: Battle of the Frigidus – Theodosius I won a decisive victory.
• 395 AD: Gothic War (395-398) – A Gothic revolt led by Alaric I.
• 398 AD: Gildonic War – Gildo, the governor of Africa, rebelled against Emperor Honorius. The revolt was stopped by Flavius Stilicho.

Civil Wars and Revolts in the 5th Century AD

• 406–413 AD: Civil war – Many usurpers tried to take the throne from Emperor Honorius. All were defeated.
• 409–417 AD: Bagaudae uprising in Gaul – A series of revolts.
• 419–421 AD: Revolt of Maximus in Hispania – A revolt that was stopped.
• 423–425 AD: Roman civil war of 425 – The usurper Joannes was defeated by Emperor Valentinian III's army.
• 427–429 AD: Roman civil war of 427-429 – The general Bonifacius fought against the general Felix. The war ended with talks.
• 432 AD: Roman civil war of 432 – The general Flavius Aetius defeated Bonifacius. Bonifacius died from his wounds. This gave Aetius full control of the Western Empire.
• 435–437 AD: Bagaudae uprising under Tibatto in Gaul – A revolt that was stopped by Flavius Aetius.
• 436–439 AD: Gothic War (436-439) – The Visigoths fought against Rome.
  • 439 AD: Battle of Toulouse – Visigoths defeated the Romans.
• 439–442 AD: Vandal War (439-442) – The Vandals conquered Roman Africa.
  • 439 AD: Battle of Carthage – Romans lost Carthage to the Vandals.
• 455 AD: Valentinian III was killed and replaced by Petronius Maximus.
• 455 AD: Petronius Maximus was killed by a mob and replaced by Avitus.
• 456 AD: Roman civil war of 456 – Emperor Avitus was defeated by Majorianus and Ricimer.
• 461 AD: Majorian was killed and replaced by Ricimer.
• 472 AD: Anthemius was overthrown by Ricimer.
• 474 AD: Glycerius was overthrown by Julius Nepos.
• 475 AD: Julius Nepos was overthrown by Orestes.
• 476 AD: Orestes was overthrown by Odoacer. Romulus Augustulus was removed from power. This event marked the end of the Western Roman Empire.

See also

In Spanish: Anexo:Guerras civiles romanas para niños