The Roman Empire By Mrs. Hoff

Rome: From City-State to Empire Started as a small, unimportant city-state in central Italy in the 8th century BCE Overthrew their monarchy and established a republic around 509 BCE.

Rome: the City-State Rome was dominated by wealthy patricians Ruled by two consuls, with advice from the Senate

Rome: The City-State Conflict developed with plebians (poorer classes) Tribunes represented the plebians, could veto legislation in the Senate.

Rome: the City-State Pride in republican values: rule of law, citizens’ rights, lack of pretension, morality “the way of the ancestors”.

Rome: Creation of Empire Began in 490s BCE with wars to control the Italian Peninsula Punic Wars with Carthage from 264 – 146 BCE Gave Rome control over the western Mediterranean Made Rome a naval power

Rome: Creation of Empire Conquest of Greece, Egypt, Mesopotamia, and present-day Spain, France, and Britain Reached its greatest geographical extent in the early 2nd century CE

Rome: Creation of Empire Gradual, unplanned pursuit of opportunities Skill and brutality of the Roman army Usually generous treatment of conquered peoples

Rome: Creation of Empire Political crisis of the 1st century BCE Rise of military leaders (Marius, Sulla, Pompey, Julius Caesar Decline of republican values

Rome: Creation of Empire Caesar Augustus (ruled 27 BCE – 14 CE) was first emperor Promised maintenance of republican forms Reality: emperor as sole authority

Rome: Creation of Empire Establishment of pax Romana (Roman Peace) Security Relative prosperity

Roman Empire Invested heavily in public works

Constantine’s Arch

Roman Coliseum

Roman Empire Religion Roman gods adopted from Greek gods Persecution of Jews and Christians for non- participation in cults. Christianity eventually became the dominant religion.

Roman Empire Relationship with societies they governed Romans were always a minority in the empire Gradual expansion of Roman citizenship; was granted to nearly all free people of empire in 212 CE. Did not imply cultural assimilation Some Roman culture was attractive to western Europeans. Greek culture dominated the eastern empire