The Roman Empire Chapter 6 Section 2
Key Terms Civil War Julius Caesar Triumvirate Augustus Pax Romana
Problems in the Late Republic Rome had no rival 100BC Tension between classes Tribune Gracchi-soldiers reduced to poverty Tiberius- younger brother gave them public lands
Social Unrest Roman elite did not like it Senate urged mobs to kill Tiberius and Garius First time Roman blood shed in the Forum Violence becomes a political tool
The Military in Politics Breakdown in the military Replaced citizen soldier Eliminated property restriction for joining the military Poor hoped to share the plunder Private forces devoted to general Tool to increase their power
Rome Becomes an Empire 60 BC led for the next ten years First triumvirate Julius Caesar (Gaul modern France) Gnaeus Pompey (syria, Asia Minor) Licinius Crassius Caesar and Pompey military commanders
Rome Becomes an Empire Crassus one of the wealthiest in Rome Crassus dies Caesar and Pompey fight a civil war Senate declared Caesar dictator for life. Gave citizenship to people in provinces Expanded the Senate, adding friend and supporters
Rome Becomes an Empire Gave public land to veterans Senators thought he would destroy Rome Senate murders Caesar Ides of March
The Second Triumvirate Octavia, Marc Anthony, Lepidus Lepidus pushed aside Octavia and Anthony fight civil war Octavia wins defeats Anthony and Cleopatra
From Octavia to Augustus Octavia sole ruler Created political order Princeps or first citizen Senate gave title of Augustus “the revered one” Given the right to wear a crown and laurel
The Augustan Age Augustus lead for 49 years Divided power with the Senate Conquests in Spain and Gaul and the Danube River Set up civil service Created police force, fire brigade
The Augustan Age “I found Rome built of bricks. I leave her clothed in marble.” Made moral and religious reforms Produced many great writers Poets Horace and Ovid
The Good Emperors The Empire grew tremendously Trajan Rome was its largest Hadrian- withdrew and built defensive fortifications 73 mile long wall in Britian
The Pax Romana 27 BC to AD 180- called Roman peace Stable government Strong legal system Widespread trade Peace endured Government seldom interrupted by war or invasion
Pax Romana Government Strongest unifying force Maintained order Enforced the laws Defended frontiers Members of Aristocracy participated in government Emperors made important decisions
Pax Romana Empire divided into provinces Provincial government fairer, more efficient Cities governed like Rome Senate, magistrates, Theatres, public baths, temples
Legal System Unified the Empire Specifies what could or could not be done Punishments Applied to all citizens
Trade and Transportation Agriculture primary occupation Independent farmers Manufacturing increased Spain, Gaul, Italy made cheap pottery and textiles Alexandria- glassware
Trade and Transportation Imported Grain, wheat Meat Raw materials Silk, linens Glassware and jewelry Rome’s location 50,000 miles of roads Built for military Cheaper to send by ship
Slaves and Captivity Important to Roman economy Made more use of slaves than previous civilizations Property of owners Healthy males forced to become gladiators 1 million slaves lost their lives attempting freedom
Gods and Goddesses Numina-powerful sprits worshipped by early Romans Lares- guardian of the spirits of each family Government and religion were linked Jupiter- father of the gods Worship of the emperor became part of religion
Society and Culture Rich lived extravagantly Large sums of money on homes, gardens and slaves Gave banquets that lasted for hours Served ostrich egg Served parrot tongue Most people unemployed
Society and Culture Government gave daily ration of grain People lived in tenements For a distraction government provided Games, races gladiator contests 150 holidays a year Colosseum would fill with 50,000 people
Society and Culture Rich and poor attended the games Animal shows Bears and tigers would fight Animals from distant lands Gladiators fought animals Gladiators fought each other to the death