Gladiator 2000 Roman Empire

The Roman Empire http://www.biblestudy.org/maps/roman-empire.html

The Roman Empire Ancient Rome was a powerful kingdom in 750 BC. It grew steadily until in 27 BC, when the nephew of Julius Caesar, Octavius took control of the now Republic. He named himself Augustus Caesar and Emperor of the now Empire. For the next 200 years Rome grew at a steady pace, encompassing more and more of the then known world.

Senatus Populusque Romanus (S.P.Q.R.) To create this ever increasing empire, Rome relied on a large army. The army was made up of Romans, and men from the lands that they conquered as well.

Good Emperors From 96 AD to 180 AD there was a period called the Pax Romana. It was a long period of expansion. It was presided over by five emperors who were called the ‘Good Emperors’. They were called this in comparison to the last four emperors who had been corrupt and immoral. http://www.knowledgerush.com/wiki_image/a/a0/Marcus_aurelius.jpg

Marcus Aurelius Marcus Aurelius is the most famous of these. He was a stoic philosopher, a warrior and a powerful emperor. He was a general from Spain that was adopted by the Antoninus Pius. He made great legal reforms & strengthened the economy. http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/images/people/Marcus_aurelius_bust_bw.jpg

Marcus Aurelius His book is called The Meditations and is a self-improvement book. Some of examples of his thoughts on virtue and responsibility include “Do not act as if you were going to live ten thousand years. Death hangs over you. While you live, while it is in your power, be good.” “The best way of avenging yourself is not to become like the wrongdoer.” “One man after burying another has been laid out dead, and another buries him: and all this in a short time. To conclude, always observe how ephemeral and worthless human things are, and what was yesterday a little mucus to-morrow will be a mummy or ashes. Pass then through this little space of time in the way of nature, and end your journey in contentment, just as an olive falls off when it is ripe, blessing nature who produced it, and thanking the tree on which it grew. “

Commodus Sadly, at his death he was followed by his son, Commodus. Commodus was weak, amoral, corrupt and mentally unstable. He was unable to maintain the progress of his father and the rest of the Good Emperors, and the Empire was never as strong again. http://home.wish.net/~mgelten/Staatshoofden/Romeinen/Commodus.jpg

The Roman Empire The Roman Empire is famous for its obsession with blood sports. They had built massive amphitheaters and they watched gladiators fight each other, wild animals, and reenact great historic battles. They also loved to watch Christians and other minorities be forced to fight wild animals and gladiators unarmed.

Gladiators Gladiators fought in public battles. They were usually men who were criminals, slaves or prisoners of war. Occasionally, they were professionals who chose the life. They were trained to use a variety of weapons, and if they survived 3-5 years, they were freed. http://ablemedia.com/ctcweb/consortium/gladiator1.html