Historic People Roman Leaders World History Unit 1

Essential Question: In five sentences, Compare and Contrast the three Roman Leaders. Ideas to help answer the EQ – think about: What were their strengths? What were their weaknesses? What were they best know for, and how did that impact the empire and the world?

1. Augustus He is called the first Roman Emperor. Augustus began a new Roman Empire that would last from 27 BC– 180 AD While Emperor, he ended a century of civil wars He gave Rome an era of peace, prosperity, and imperial greatness. Augustus expanded the boundaries of the Roman Empire and secured the Empire's borders He reformed the Roman system of taxation Developed networks of roads with an official courier system. Established a standing army and a small navy. Created official police and fire fighting forces for Rome.

Augustus Improves the Empire Augustus expanded the boundaries of the Roman Empire and secured the Empire's borders He reformed the Roman system of taxation Developed networks of roads with an official courier system. Augustus established a standing army and a small navy. Created official police and fire fighting forces for Rome.

The yellow legend represents the extent of the Empire in 31 BC, the shades of green represent gradually conquered territories under the reign of Augustus, and pink areas on the map represent client states.

2. Nero 37 AD – 68 AD Nero's rule is associated with tyranny and extravagance He is known for murdering his entire family, including his mother, stepbrother, and both of his wives

Set Fire to Rome He is thought to have intentionally set a fire that burned most of Rome in order to clear a location for a new palace and scheduled a musical performance while it burned He then blamed the Christians for burning Rome

Nero and Christians One of Nero’s focuses was the building of theatres and the promotion of athletic games. He was known for torturing Christians Peter and Paul (from the Bible) were both killed during Nero’s reign

Nero watching the burning of Christians

Death of Nero In the end the people of Rome turned against Nero. When he was about to be captured he stabbed himself.

3. Constantine The Great 272 AD – 337 AD As emperor, Constantine enacted many administrative, financial, social, and military reforms to strengthen the empire The government was restructured and civil and military authority separated

Constantine the Christian He put an end to the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire He issued the Edict of Milan, which proclaimed official tolerance of Christianity in the Empire in 313 Influenced by his mother, Constantine was believed to be over 40 when he declared himself a Christian Constantine and his mother Helena

Christianity in Rome Constantine became the first Christian Roman Emperor The reign of Constantine established the position of the Christian Emperor in the Church This would lay the groundwork for the coming of the Roman Catholic Church

Essential Question: In five sentences, compare and contrast the three Roman Leaders. Ideas to help answer the EQ – think about: What were their strengths? What were their weaknesses? What were they best know for, and how did that impact the empire and the world?