Browse Historical Events by Month: What Happened in January?

Traditional date of the founding of Rome by Romulus and Remus.

According to Roman tradition, Romulus dedicates the Temple of Jupiter Stator on the Capitoline Hill.

Thales of Miletus, a Greek philosopher often considered the first Western philosopher, dies in Greece.

The Roman Republic is established after the overthrow of the Roman monarchy.

The Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus on Rome's Capitoline Hill is dedicated on the ides of January.

Leonidas I, King of Sparta, is born.

The Greek city-state of Argos defeats Sparta at the Battle of Tiryns.

Greek playwright Aeschylus dies in Gela, Sicily.

Birth of the historian and philosopher, Herodotus, often called the "Father of History."

The Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta officially begins.

Pericles, influential Athenian statesman and general, dies during the Plague of Athens.

The Romans celebrate a triumph for their victory over the Etruscans.

Death of Alexander the Great, leaving his empire to be divided among his generals after his passing.

The Roman Senate recognizes the legal validity of the will of the wealthy Roman merchant Lucius Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus.

Birth of Roman statesman and orator, Publius Clodius Pulcher.

Julius Caesar, defying the order of the Roman Senate not to so, crosses the Rubicon River with his legion, famously uttering "alea iacta est" meaning "the die has been cast" and leading to the Roman Civil War. He was assassinated in 44 BCE.

Caesar decisively defeats Pompey at the Battle of Pharsalus.

Cleopatra VII of Egypt declares her son co-ruler as Ptolemy XV Caesarion with her.

The Julian Calendar takes effect replacing the traditional Roman calendar which had been introduced around the seventh century B.C. which followed the lunar cycle.

Assassination of Julius Caesar by a group of Roman senators led by Brutus and Cassius.