Rome the Empire

Rome the Empire People still had the same values Still met in the Forum The Senate still existed But the REAL power was in the hands of the Emperor beginning with Caesar’s great nephew, Augustus

Roman Emperors Rome was an empire for 500 years and ruled by 140 emperors during this time A few famous emperors: Augustus Caesar’s adopted son Nero Favored by the people but eventually went insane Trajan Spanish emperor; great conqueror- Rome gained the most territory under his rule Diocletian Split the empire in two: Eastern Roman Empire and Western Roman Empire Constantine First Christian Roman emperor; lived in Byzantium which he renamed Constantinople (now Istanbul)

Pax Romana Started during Augustus’s 45 year reign Rome was at peace during his rule and this peace continued for about 200 years Culture and literature flourished Buildings and engineering masterpieces Things that weren’t ‘peaceful’ City of Rome Some emperors were cruel/insane Expanded the empire

Pantheon Built in the early days of the Roman empire Honored all Roman gods Built of concrete (Roman invention!) Dome- still one of the largest- influenced Renaissance artists

Colosseum Public entertainment center (think PNC Arena) Seated 45,000 Gladiator combat Gladiator vs. gladiator Gladiator vs. animal Anyone could attend events Admission was free

Two Roman Empires Management Financial strain Solution Rome was far away from the provinces and enforcement was difficult Financial strain Needed money to: Rebuild roads Support legionnaires Enable growth Needed new regions to tax Solution Diocletian decided to split the empire in half Western and Eastern Roman empires Each had its own ruler Eastern capital: Byzantium Western capital: Rome