THE ROMAN EMPIRE: A BRIEF OVERVIEW (CH 6) OBJECTIVE: Analyze the decline of the Roman Empire and the legacy it left for the world.

THE ROMAN EMPIRE At its height, the Roman Empire touched three different continents—Europe, Asia, and Africa. Rome’s strong army allowed for its rise to greatness. For several centuries, Rome brought peace and prosperity to its empire (treated conquered people justly) before its eventual collapse.

THE BEGINNINGS OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE Latins, Greeks, & Etruscans battled for control of the region that would become Rome from about 1000 to 500 BC. Region chosen for fertile soil & strategic location on Italian Peninsula in center of Mediterranean Sea

Government Rome began as a republic, a government in which elected officials represent the people. Twelve Tables: 451 B.C. officials carved Roman laws on 12 tablets & they became basis for later Roman law (citizenship = adult male landowners) Government: elect 2 consuls, one to lead army & one to direct government. Roman upper class chose Senate to make foreign & domestic policy. Tribunes make laws for common people. Eventually, absolute rulers called emperors seized power & expanded the empire.

REPUBLIC  EMPIRE The Republic collapses due to economic turmoil + military upheaval  Julius Caesar takes control There was a growing gap between rich & poor  soldiers were recruited by generals offering land (replaced citizen-soldiers loyal to republic) Julius Caesar (military leader) + Crassus (wealthy Roman) + Pompey (popular general) = triumvirate, group of three rulers, & rule Rome 59 BC  Caesar absolute ruler Caesar’s reforms: granted Roman citizenship to provinces, public works projects/buildings to help create jobs for poor Caesar was assassinated b/c senators were concerned over growing power  Octavian takes over, titled Augustus, & the Roman empire was ruled by one man. Image of Augustus

THE ROMAN WORLD Valued discipline, strength, & loyalty. Most lived in the countryside/worked farmers Slavery significant part of Roman life – widespread & important to economy (property of owners) Government & religion were linked. Gods & goddesses were honored in public worship ceremonies. Classes had little in common – rich lived extravagantly, but most people struggled (unemployment, lacked basic necessities) Government provided free games, races, mock battles, and gladiator contests to distract/control the masses (Colosseum = huge arena). Christianity emerged and spread in Roman Empire Accepted by Emperor Constantine, who ended the persecutions of Christians 313 AD  later becomes empire’s official religion Out of Judea rose a monotheistic, single-god, religion known as Christianity, based on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, that spread throughout Rome and beyond.

Colosseum, Constantine

THE COLLAPSE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE Rome’s economy weakens: inflation was high Military & political turmoil: mercenaries were used instead of loyal soldiers Emperors attempt reform: Diocletian divides the empire because too large & Constantine moves the capital from Rome to Byzantium Rome splits into Greek-speaking East (Greece, Anatolia, Syria, Egypt) & Latin-speaking West (Italy, Gaul, Britain, Spain) Constantine reunifies empire under single ruler & moves capital from western Rome to eastern Greek city of Byzantium for strategic trade & defense purposes Byzantium  Constantinople (after Constantine) and becomes protected by massive walls After Constantine, empire divides again; the East would survive & the West would fall.

FALL OF WESTERN ROMAN EMPIRE Germanic invasions end Western Roman Empire Germanic peoples gathered along empire’s borders, & coexist peacefully until Mongol nomads (Huns led by Attila) invade from central Asia which pushed the Germanic people (barbarians = non-Romans) into Roman lands. Attila and the Huns fail at scaling the high walls of Constantinople and head West. Famine & disease push Huns back, but Germanic invasions continue.

FALL OF WESTERN ROMAN EMPIRE Eastern half of the Roman empire survives Byzantine empire Preserves Greek and Roman culture—Rome’s cultural influence (ideas, customs, institutions) continue to influence the development of Western civilization Lasts until 1453 when it fell to the Ottoman Turks