Section 1: From Republic to Empire Rome and Christianity Section 1: From Republic to Empire

Disorder in the Republic Politicians and generals went to war to increase their power even as political order broke down in Rome. There were politically inspired riots to restore the power of the tribunes. Cicero tried to stop the chaos in Rome’s government He was a philosopher and gifted orator He called on upperclass Romans to work together to make Rome a better place He wanted to limit the power of generals, give more support to the Senate and to restore checks and balances on government

Julius Caesar A general Admired for his bravery and skill in battle Treated his soldiers well His military successes made him a key figure in Roman politics Was also a great speaker – won many supporters with his speeches in the forum Created an alliance with Pompey and Crassus – two of Rome’s most influential men They feared Caesar’s growing power and wanted him to step down – Caesar refused

Caesar would defeat Pompey in Greece Upon his return to Rome, Caesar made himself dictator for life. Caesar reduced the powers of the Senate Many feared his growing strength and were concerned he would become king of Rome A group of Senators attacked Caesar in the Senate and stabbed him to death

The End of the Republic Marc Antony and Octavian (aka Augustus) emerged to take control of Rome after Caesar’s death They set out with an army to try to avenge Caesar’s death Their army caught up to the killers near Philippi in northern Greece They would defeat their opponents, and the leaders killed themselves Octavian turned against Antony when Antony divorced his wife, who was Octavian’s sister, in order to marry Cleopatra Octavian saw this as an insult to his sister and to himself Octavian would gain nearly limitless power and took the title princeps (first citizen)

Octavian would give up all his power to the Senate, but, in reality, kept all his power Senate gave him a new name – Augustus (“revered one”) Modern historians consider the naming of Augustus to mark the end of the Roman Republic and the beginning of the Roman Empire

Rome’s Growing Empire By the early 100s, the Romans took over Gaul and central Europe The Roman conquests promoted trade Traders brought: metals, cloth, food, spices, silk, and animals To pay for their trade goods, Romans used currency, or money The first 200 years of the Roman Empire was a time of general peace and prosperity Stable government and a well-run army helped Rome grow wealthy and safe This time period became known as Pax Romana, or Roman peace

Rome’s Accomplishments Science and Engineering Studied the stars to produce a calendar Galen, a doctor, described the valves of the heart and noted differences between arteries and veins They were great builders – made cement, built their roads in layers, created lasting structures by using arches, created aqueducts (raised channel used to carry water from mountains into cities) Created vaults – set of arches that support the roof of a building Architecture and Art Copied some Greek designs – columns and covered many buildings with marble The Colosseum – huge building constructed for gladiator fights Beautiful mosaics, paintings (frescoes – painting done on plaster), and statues, portraits

Literature and Language Virgil – wrote the Aeneid Ovid wrote poems about Roman mythology Wrote in Latin which later developed into many different languages Romance languages – Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Romanian Law Roman law inspired a system called civil law A legal system based on a written code of laws