Bell ringer

Chapter 8 / Section 4 The Early Empire

I. The Emperor Augustus (pgs. 286 – 294) A. A long era of peace in Rome began with Augustus and lasted until A.D. 180. B. This era was known as Pax Romana (pahks*roh*mah*nah), or “Roman Peace”

What Did Augustus Achieve? C. Augustus built a permanent, professional army of about 150,000 male Roman citizens. D. He also created a guard called the Praetorian Guard of about 9,000 men who guarded the emperor. Augustus restored Rome’s splendor and fed the hungry poor of Rome with imported grain. E. Augustus appointed a proconsul, or governor, for each province. Augustus reformed the tax system by making tax collectors permanent workers. Augustus reformed the legal system by creating a set of laws for people who were not citizens.

Who Came After Augustus? F. Augustus ruled for almost 40 yrs., dying in A.D. 14. The next four emperors came from Augustus’s family and are called the Julio-Claudian emperors: Tiberius Caliguala Claudius Nero

Tiberius and Claudius were capable leaders. Caligula had a mental illness that made him act strangely and rule cruelly. Caligula gave his favorite horse the position of consul. He was killed by the Praetorian Guard. Nero was vicious and is reported to have killed his mother and two of his wives. He eventually committed suicide.

II. Unity and Prosperity (pgs. 290 – 294) G. Vespasian, a general and one of Nero’s proconsuls, took the throne after Nero’s death. Vespasian restored Rome after the chaos following Nero’s rule. Troops commanded by Vespasian’s son Titus defeated the Jews and destroyed the Jewish temple in A.D. 70 H. Vespasian also began construction of the Colosseum - a huge ampitheatre – in central Rome

Vespasian’s sons Titus and then Domitian ruled after his death. I. During Titus’s reign, Mt. Vesuvius erupted and destroyed the city of Pompeii. J. A great fire also greatly damaged Rome. http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/benboyd/1/1235185200/tpod.html#pbrowser/benboyd/1/1235185200/filename=vesuvius-1.jpg

The “Good Emperors” The rulers known as the good emperors were Nerva Trajan Hadrian Antonius Pius Marcus Aurelius The Roman Empire flourished under their rule.

K. Among the many achievments of these emperors was the building of aqueducts. L. Aqueducts are human-made water channels for carrying water long distances. The Roman Empire became one of the largest empires in history during the reign of the good emperors. Hadrian began to pull back and remove troops from Mesopotamia . In Europe, he set the empire’s northern boundaries at the Rhine (Ryn) River and the Danube (Dan*yoob) River. M. In the A.D. 100’s, the Roman Empire included 3.5 million people.

Booming Economy Most people were farmers who grew olives, grapes, and grain. Others were artisans who traded with others inside and outside of the Roman Empire. Traders came to the two largest port cities in Italy: Puteoli (pyu*tee*us*ly) Ostia (ahs*tee*uh)

Roads and Money N. A good transportation network was vital to Rome’s trade. O. During the Pax Romana, Rome’s system of roads reached a total length of 50,000 miles. P. Rome’s trade was also helped by a common currency, system of money.

Study Guide Questions This is known as a long period of Roman Peace. Human-made water channels for carrying water long distances. This general began construction of a huge amphitheater known as the Colosseum. This is another name for a governor appointed during the Ancient Roman rule of Augustus.