The Roman Empire's history is vast and complex. It began as a small settlement in Italy, traditionally founded in 753 BC. Over centuries, it expanded significantly, becoming a republic in 509 BC. The transition to an empire is often marked by the rise of Augustus in 27 BC. The Western Roman Empire eventually fell in 476 AD, marking the end of ancient history in Europe, though the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) continued for another thousand years. Which of the following events occurred *before* the Roman Empire became a republic but *after* its traditional founding?
A) The fall of the Western Roman Empire