Italy
History Timeline
Travel through our timeline of major events in Italy's history.
800-600 B.C.:
Greeks, Etruscans and others settle in Italy.
753 B.C.:
Rome is founded. This marks the beginning of the Roman Kingdom.
509 B.C.:
The monarchy is overthrown, and Rome becomes a republic. From 46 to 44 B.C., Julius Caesar rules as dictator.
27 B.C.:
Augustus becomes the first emperor of the Roman Empire. He is Julius Caesar's grand-nephew and adopted son.
1200-1600 A.D.:
Rome, Florence and Venice prosper during the Renaissance, a period of renewed interest in culture.
1861:
Italy becomes a unified nation under King Victor Emmanuel II.
1915:
Italy enters World War I on the side of the Allies.
1940-1943:
Italy sides with Germany and enters World War II. In 1943, dictator Benito Mussolini is forced to resign.
1946:
Italians vote to end the monarchy and make their nation a democratic republic.
1984:
Catholicism is no longer Italy's formal state religion.
2008:
Billionaire Silvio Berlusconi returns to power as prime minister. He begins a third term.
