The Roman Empire Its Rise and Its People

Flashback:The End of the Republic

From Sir Erin’s Last Lecture: What led to the Republic’s end

• The assassination of Julius Caesar led by Brutus and Gaius Cassius (stabbed to death in the Senate)• Another civil war in Rome•The formation of the 2nd Triumvirate (Mark Antony, Lepidus and Octavian)•Octavian defeats the combined navies of Antony and Cleopatra

OCTAVIAN (63 B.C.-14 A.D)

Aka Augustus, the New Emperor•AUGUSTUS = honored and majestic

• belief: REPUBLIC = FAIL1.Won Senate’s support2.Controlled the ARMY (via getting the loyalty of soldiers)3. improved government in the PROVINCES (supervised governors)4.Granted CITIZENSHIP to more people5.Sponsored building of roads, water systems + other improvements

OCTAVIAN (63 B.C.-14 A.D)

•Octavian: "I transferred the Republic from my own power to the authority of the Senate and the Roman people."• disguised his absolute power• end of civil war = MAJOR ECONOMIC REVIVAL (controlled coinage, taxation, etc. but allowed the economy to operate freely)

PAX ROMANA (27 B.C. to 180 A.D.)

The Roman Peace

•The empire was generally “trouble-free” for 200 years. (to be discussed in detail by the second group)

ROMAN VIRTUES(principles as a people)

THE ROMAN FAMILY(the heart of Roman

society)PATERFAMILIAS- The eldest man in the family has the power to rule the household-Pater (father)- can disown newborns, banish relatives or even sell them to slavery

ROMAN ARCHITECTURE

•Adopted external Greek architecture• used concrete and bricks, which facilitated the building of aqueducts•Insulae – multi-story apartment blocks (dated from Trajan)• Colosseum (right) & Pantheon (next slide)

•Adopted external Greek architecture• used concrete and bricks, which facilitated the building of aqueducts•Insulae – multi-story apartment blocks (dated from Trajan)• Colosseum (right) & Pantheon (next slide)

ROMAN ARCHITECTURE

THE EMPERORS OF ROME

JULIO-CLAUDIAN DYNASTY

• mentally disturbed•Assassinated by members of the imperial guard after short, brutal reign

•Claudius’ stepson, who was a vicious but effective administrator•Blamed the Fire in Rome (64 A.D.) on Christians and began to persecute them•68 A.D. The army rebelled against him. He committed suicide.

FLAVIAN DYNASTY

• ruled as a dictator•Feared treason everywhere

•Executed many•Assassinated in 96AD

DYNASTY OF THE 5 GOOD EMPERORS

• was chosen because he was well-respected in the Senate•Began the custom of adopting heirs to avoid violence

•Nerva’s Spanish born son•A military governor of Northern Italy•During his rule, the empire reached its greatest extent•Enlarged social welfare•Undertook vast building program

DYNASTY OF THE 5 GOOD EMPERORS

•Focused on empire’s SECURITY, not expansion

•Admired Greek culture –was himself a poet and architect•Encouraged citizens to guard

borders (in provinces)•Consolidated earlier conquests•Reorganized bureaucracy

•Suppressed Jewish revolt in Judea*HADRIAN’S WALL defensive wall in the province of Britain

DYNASTY OF THE 5 GOOD EMPERORS

• Rule was peaceful and prosperous•Contributed to maritime laws

•Followed the ideas of Stoicism•Concentrated on border wars, defeated Germanic tribes•Abandoned Nerva’s adoptive system•Brought Rome to peak economy

• Chronical of the Roman Emperors by Chris Scarre

• http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/cultural/oldworld/europe/ancient_roman_culture.html

• History of the World (Our textbook)

• Chronical of the Roman Emperors by Chris Scarre

• http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/cultural/oldworld/europe/ancient_roman_culture.html

• History of the World (Our textbook)