Journey Across Time Chapter 8 Section 4 The Early Roman Empire Journey Across Time Chapter 8 Section 4

The Main Idea Augustus By expanding the Roman Empire and reorganizing the military and government, Augustus created a new era of prosperity, starting ca 27 BC.

Military Augustus built a permanent, professional army of about 150,000 men (all Roman Citizens) Created Praetorian Guard consisting of 9,000 elite troops in charge of guarding emperor His Legions conquered new land including Spain, Gaul, and what is today known as Hungary, Austria, Romania, and Bulgaria

Roman “Century” Unit & Weapons

Rome Rebuilt Augustus rebuilt Rome with palaces, fountains, and splendid public buildings “I found Rome a city of brick, ” he boasted, “and left it a city of marble”. He imported grain from Africa to feed the poor. Well-fed people are a happy people. He even created the first fire department

Government reforms Huge population (over 50 million people), so appointed a proconsul/governor to each province, replacing the previous senate Reformed tax system, making it more fair by making tax collectors government workers. Reformed the legal system, creating a set of laws for those not yet citizens.

After Augustus Relative and trained by Augustus Augustus died in A.D. 14, after ruling for almost 40 years The next 4 emperors all came from his family Tiberius 14-37 A.D. Relative and trained by Augustus Ruled competently, was a strong military leader Kept the economy stable Caligula 37-41 A.D. Crazy and cruel! Murdered many and wasted money Even made his favorite horse a consul He abolished sale tax and increased the power of the courts. Eventually killed by Praetorian Guard Claudius 41-54 A.D. Replaced Caligula and ruled competently Built the harbor at Ostia, new aqueducts, & conquered most of Britain. Nero 54-68 A.D. Vicious! Killed mother, two wives Best remembered for having “fiddled while Rome burned” in 64 A.D. But is it a TRUE STORY? Committed suicide

Unity and Prosperity After Nero, Vespasian took the throne and restored peace and order. Began constructing the Coliseum Followed by sons, and then the 5 “Good Emperors,” which improved Roman life. The “Good Emperors” continued to improve on Rome’s system of roads, aqueducts (a human-made channel for water), ports, and developed a common currency made the empire rich and prosperous .

The Good Emperors

Summary By expanding the Roman Empire and reorganizing the military and government, Augustus began a new era of prosperity know as Pax Romana, that lasted for 200 years.