Roman Empire

Patricians & Plebeians Original aristocracy of Rome Control strengthened by institution of clientage-client was a free man who pledged himself to a patrician (called patron) Wealth based primarily on ownership of farmland and/or urban real estate Initially only elected officials – Senate (2 Consuls) Plebeians Free men, but without aristocratic lineage Could not serve in political offices originally Often generated great wealth as merchants and soldiers Eventually granted political power in Assembly that elected Tribune who could veto Senate

Republic Weakens Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus try to give land to poor (both assassinated) Gaius Marius lets poor into the army and makes it a professional force – Consul 7 times and takes power briefly Sulla takes over as dictator in 82 BC and institutes reforms to give power back to Patricians – steps down in 79 BC

Empire - Julius Originally part of triumvirate Julius Caesar, Gaius Pompey, and Marcus Crassus Summoned to Rome in 49 BC Crosses Rubicon (Rome’s Boundary) with 13th Legion Crassus dies on military campaign against Parthians and Julius defeats Pompey at Pharsalus in Greece Rules until 44 BC

Empire - Augustus Adopted nephew of Julius Caesar, announced by Vestal Virgins as the heir in 44 BC Second triumvirate of Octavian Caesar, Marc Antony, and Marcus Lepidus Defeats Marc Antony and Cleopatra at Actium, Greece in 31 BC 44 years of rule (Pax Romana) giving deference to institutions of Rome as “First Citizen” – also institutes census

Appian Way Originally a military road from Rome to Capua Started in 312 BC Built by Roman soldiers

Hydraulic Engineering

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Empire – Julian/Claudian Emperors

Empire – 5 “Good” Emperors After period of anarchy, Nerva becomes Emperor in 96 AD Next emperor is chosen instead of simply being the son of reigning emperor Marcus Aurelius’ heir dies and his son Commodus takes over, which leads to anarchy again