Rome’s Mediterranean Empire 753 B.C.E. – 600 C.E.

The Roman Republic (507-31 B.C.E)

Organization of Roman Republic 2 consuls highest position in the republic The Senate Brought together the state’s wealth, influence, and political and military power The assemblies (local gov’t)

Expansion of the Roman Republic All male citizens who owned land were subject to military service Expanded throughout the Mediterranean Granted citizenship to conquered people Conquered territory governed using local leaders overseen by a Roman Senator

Failure of the Republic Wealth generated by conquest ended up in the hands of the upper class Bad use of land for agriculture led to importation of grain to feed people Fewer land owners = less people for the army Series of consuls had armies that were only loyal to them Julius Caesar Mark Antony Octavian Led to several civil wars and dictatorial control of the state

The Roman Empire By 31 C.E Octavian eliminated rivals Now called Augustus Cesar Careful to maintain Republican traditions Senate declared him consul for life But really emperors ruled with little input from anyone Augustus ruled the Empire for 45 years

How did the Empire project its power? Controlled the Mediterranean region, N. & S. Europe, N. Africa, etc. Leads to 200 years of PEACE Grants of citizenship given to subjects in exchange for military service Romanization Spread of Latin language and culture

Engineering expertise Roads, bridges, aqueducts, coliseum Also used engineering for military purposes Fortification walls, siege works, ballistic weapons

Population Rome had approx. a million residents Numerous towns had several thousand residents Alexandria in Egypt Antioch in Syria Carthage Limited technological capabilities Providing adequate food and water Removing sewage

Third Century Crisis(235-284 C.E.) Frequent change of rulers 20+ emperors during this time Germanic tribes raid empire Economic crisis Majority of money being spent on defense Decline in large-scale and long- distance commerce

Radical Reforms to Empire THE ONE YOU NEED TO KNOW!!!! Constantine (306- 337 C.E) Legalized Christianity Moved the capital from Rome to modern day Turkey and renamed the city “Constantinople”

Final Decline of the Empire Unable to defeat invading Germanic tribes and nomads Western realm became separate after 395 C.E. Roman Empire fragmented into several kingdoms Eastern realm under control of Constantine became known as the Byzantine Empire