All of these men in some way or another contributed to the downfall of the Roman Republic and the emergence of the Roman Empire, but it was Octavian (later called Augustus Caesar) who would eventually consolidate power and have himself crowned as the first emperor of the Roman Empire.

Lucius Sulla is an important figure in the history of the decline of the Roman Republic. In the first century BCE, he led an army (unconstitutionally) into the city of Rome and forcefully seized the dictatorship. He enacted a series of legal reforms designed to reinforce the senate and lessen the power of the tribunes. He was successful in this regard and retired soon after, but the precedent he established - the revival of the dictatorship and the use of military force by Roman generals to affect change in the city of Rome - led directly to the actions of the First Triumvirate, Julius Caesar, Octavian, and the creation of the Roman Empire.

The Ides of March (March 15th) is a date of great significance in the history of Rome. It is the date when Julius Caesar was assassinated, in 44 BCE, by the so-called conspirators. It has taken on greater significance in the modern era primarily due to the writings of Shakespeare.

The Battle of Pharsalus, fought in 48 BCE between the armies of Julius Caesar and those of Pompey the Great, ended in total defeat for Pompey. Marcus Crassus had died five years earlier, at the Battle of Carrhae, so victory over Pompey allowed Julius Caesar to consolidate his power over the Roman Republic.

The Social War was fought from 91 - 88 BCE, between the forces of the Roman Republic and an alliance of city-states who had previously been under Roman control. These city-states, in central and southern Italy, rebelled against Roman authority because they were dissatisfied with the fact that Rome did not consider them equal citizens of the Republic.

The First Triumvirate was an infamous unofficial alliance between Julius Caesar, Pompeius Magnus (Pompey the Great), and Marcus Crassus.

It lasted from roughly 59 BCE to 53 BCE and ended with the death of Marcus Crassus at the hands of the Parthians. 

Following Marcus Crassus' death, Julius Caesar and Pompey would go on to fight a civil war with each other, ultimately ending in Pompey's death and firmly establishing Julius Caesar's role as dictator for life.

In 49 BCE, Julius Caesar led a single legion south Across the Rubicon which marked the border between Gaul and Italy, breaking Roman law and leading to the start of the Roman Civil War.

This action has led to the idiom "crossing the Rubicon," which means to make a decision or perform an action that goes past the point of no return.

Cincinnatus was a consul of Rome during the era of the Roman Republic. He also served as temporary dictator during a time of great crisis. He led the defense of the city of Rome against invading “barbarians,” and, for voluntarily surrendering his absolute authority, he is often regarded as an example of honor and civic virtue.

The Battle of Actium was a naval engagement fought between the forces of Octavian and the combined fleet of Mark Antony and Cleopatra in 31 BCE. It culminated in total victory for Octavian and brought to an end any realistic chance that Mark Antony had of winning the war of the Roman Republic. Mark Antony would soldier on for another year, but eventually his army deserted him and Cleopatra committed suicide.

The Social War was fought between Rome and her former allies in Italy. A collection of city-states who were dissatisfied with Roman rule in central and southern Italy rebelled in 91 BCE. They were swiftly crushed by the Roman Republic, but to prevent future conflict the government of the Roman Republic conceded to most of the rebels’ demands.