In 509 BC Rome became a republic. Subsequently, in 218 BC, Hannibal invaded Italy. In 45 BC Julius Caesar became the first dictator of Rome and in 44 BC Caesar was assassinated. In 27 BC the Roman Empire begins, but in 64 AD most of Rome burns. In 80 AD the Colosseum was built and in 122 AD Hadrian's Wall. In 306 AD Constantine became emperor. Rome split in 395 AD and the Visigoths sacked Rome in 410. The final event occurred in 476 when the Western Roman Empire ended and Ancient Rome fell (Chronology of the Roman Empire, April 24, 2014). It is difficult to determine precisely how large Rome really was, but ancient Rome is said to have conquered Western Europe and numerous lands surrounding it. At the height of Rome's power, around 150 AD, Rome controlled what was then called the largest empire Europe had ever seen (Chris Trueman, April 24, 2014). The only other country Rome feared conquering was the Carthaginians. After defeating the Carthaginians, Rome became the most powerful state in the Mediterranean (Chris Trueman, April 24,