Beginning of the Roman Empire

Caesar Born to an aristocratic family Awarded the “oak leaves” crown for his bravery. Kidnapped by Cilician pirates. Never missed an opportunity to “brag”. Nephew of famous general Gaius Marius Traced lineage back to goddess Venus

Consolidation of Power Caesar conquers Gaul then turns to Rome, beginning the Civil War. Gaul is present day France Belgium Luxembourg Archenemy: Pompey the Great

Conspiracy begins… First Triumvirate Pompey Crassus Caesar Pledged to support one another’s legislation and policies Pledged not to support anything that would harm the other.

Always a leader, never an Emperor Julius Caesar was known for his military tactics and great leadership BUT…… He was never an Emperor of Rome Placed Cleopatra on the Egyptian throne after her brother was defeated in Alexandria “Veni, Vidi, Vici” (I came, I saw, I conquered)

The conspiracy continues…. Marc Antony in the east Octavian (nephew of Caesar) in the west Together they engineer the fall of Brutus and Cassius. Ultimately CAESAR!!

Ides of March 44 BC (current calendar March 15 or 13) Roman Senate meeting Soothsayer foretold “Beware the ides of March”. Stabbed by many men….including “BRUTUS”! “ET TU BRUTUS”---Julius Caesar

There can be only ONE Supreme leaders fight for the Number 1 seat! Jealousy and ambitions lead to Marc Anthony’s defeat, and ultimately his death!

Augustus claims Victory Marc Anthony is cut off from supplies Isolated at Actium Betrayed by his soldiers Portrayed as a coward Together Marc Anthony and Cleopatra commit suicide! (Cleo dies by asp!)

Cleopatra Last Egyptian Queen until Rue Paul (aired in 2003) Married to Julius Caesar and Marc Anthony Ruled for over 20 years Delayed the Roman takeover of Egypt.

CROWNING GLORY Octavian renamed Augustus claims victory based on universe consent. Appointed leader of the Roman Senate As a show of honor and good gesture….. He gives all his power to the Senate! What do you give such an honorable, unselfish man……….?

“EMPEROR”

Part II JEALOUSY, CONSPIRACY, MURDER!!

Rome on the Decline

Augustus the Emperor The high priest Pontifex Maximus Forces stepson Tiberius, to divorce wife to marry another…. His daughter. 14 AD brings about the death of Augustus and stepson named emperor.

Tiberius Married stepsister, Julia Abandons Julia and retires to Rhodes. Succeeds to the throne in 14AD. Appoints the Germanicus to General. Creates an enemy in Germanicus’ wife, Agrippina the Elder. Orders the Senate to execute Sejanus. Implemented the execution of Agippina and sons. 37 AD, dies at Capri.

Germanicus General that secures the Rhine frontier. Dies in 19 AD, possibly murdered. Wife, Agrippina the Elder believes Tiberius is to blame.

Claudius Extended the Roman Empire by adding Mauretania Britain Thrace Lycia Executed wife, Messalina Remarries Agrippina the Younger, mother of Nero Adopts Nero

Nero Succeeded to the throne ahead of Claudius son, Britannicus. Orders the murder of his mother 64 AD saw the Great Fire of Rome Nero rumored to had been singing and dancing while it burned Blames the Christian and crucifies others. Growing paranoid he kicks his wife Poppaea to death while she was pregnant. Declared public enemy, he commits suicide.

Chaotic Empire Four emperors battle for supreme rule Galba 68-69 AD. Him and his heirs’ heads were paraded in the Roman streets. Otho 98 AD. Reigned briefly with Vitelliua Vitelliua 69 AD. Reigned with Otho Vespasian 69-79 AD. Named emperor Found the Flavian dynasty Maintain a decade of stability

Titus Vespasian’s death brings succession of Titus Mount Vesuvius erupts. Buries Pompeii and Herculaneum under volcanic ash. Lack of moral compass Brothels on every corner Pictures of sexual positions SEE… What you can learn from the HISTORY CHANNEL!!? Completed the building of the Colosseum, started by Vespasian in 72 AD 81 AD- Dies by fever (or poisoned by his doctor) Senate declares Titus a god

Domitian Brother of Titus Believed to have instructed Titus doctor to kill him by poison. Cruel and violent leader Murdered by wife and Senate

Nerva An Italian noble Fair Gains military trust First time Roman generals cooperated to choose the next emperor. Upon his death, adopted a Spanish-born emperor, Trajan

Trajan Spanish-born, of no relation to previous emperor. Emperor is now open to all educated men.

Romanizing the West 180 AD the death of Marcus Aurelius. Ends the Pax Romana period.

Fall of Rome Barbarians (refered to people of northern Europe) Many granted Roman citizenship Lead to Germanization of the Roman army Attempted to assimilate the “barbarians” into Roman culture Allowed barbarians to infiltrate the Western Empire Barbarians developed culturely and asserted themselves against Rome.

Downward spiral Empire too large to control Soldiers abandoned military for land ownership Roman divided into East and West - Christianity emerged as the new religion of the Empire - The empire of the East Became the BYZANTINE EMPIRE!!

ESSAY QUESTIONS What factors lead to the fall of Rome? What connections have you drawn between the early Roman Empire and the current state of the modern day world.