Final answer:
The chronological order is: Founding of Rome, Punic Wars, Julius Caesar's assassination, and Octavian becoming Augustus; marking the transition from the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire.
Step-by-step explanation:
The chronological order of significant events and people that led to the collapse of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire is as follows:
- The Founding of Rome, which, according to legend, occurred in 753 BCE.
- The Punic Wars, a series of three wars between Rome and Carthage, spanning from 264 to 146 BCE, which played a significant role in Rome's expansion.
- Julius Caesar's assassination on the Ides of March in 44 BCE, which marked the end of the Roman Republic and led to a period of civil war.
- Octavian becomes Augustus, as he rose to power after Julius Caesar's assassination and was named emperor in 27 BCE, marking the beginning of the Roman Empire.
These events are critical in understanding the shift from the Republic to the Empire. The murder of Julius Caesar was a significant turning point, indicating the end of the Roman Republic. After a turbulent period of civil wars, his adopted heir Octavian, later known as Augustus, established himself as the first emperor of Rome and ushered in a new era of stability and peace known as the Pax Romana.