There were three periods of Roman history: the Monarchy (753BC–509BC), the Republic (509BC–27BC), and the Empire (27BC–476AD). The Monarchy began with Rome's first king Romulus and ended with the last king Tarquinius Superbus. The Republic was divided into the Early Republic, when Rome conquered Italy, and the Late Republic, when Rome conquered lands outside Italy. Significant events during the Republic included the Punic Wars against Carthage led by Hannibal, and the assassination of Julius Caesar on March 15, 44 BC, which marked the end of the Republic. The first emperor was Augustus, and the Roman Empire fell in 476 AD.