Pax Romana 27 BC – 180 AD

Julius Caesar Takes Power 60 B.C. – Named Consul ALLIANCE: The Triumvirate A Rule of 3 Controls Rome w/Pompey & Crassus

The Triumvirate Julius Caesar Crassus Pompey

Caesar’s Absolute Power Crassus dies in 53 BCE Pompey convinces Senate to ask Caesar to relinquish command of troops. “Crossing the Rubicon” Civil War in Rome: Caesar vs. Pompey Caesar is Victorious

Caesar The Ruler Caesar elected Dictator in 49 BCE (10 yr. term) Massive reform of tax, land, and legal code. Extended citizenship. Re-organized town gov’t. Public works program = jobs

Death of Caesar In 44 BCE named dictator for life. Senate worried about new powers and the end of Senatorial rule. Killed Caesar

Civil War….again Plunged the countryside into war over power. Cassius and Brutus sought power Were defeated by a triumvirate of Lepidus, Mark Anthony (two of Caesars’ trusted generals) and Octavian, his adopted son.

Rise of Octavian Caesar’s nephew Forms the Second Triumvirate with Marc Antony and Lepidus

The Second Triumvirate Marc Antony Lepidus Octavian

TROUBLE IN ROME: Marc Antony meets Cleopatra Octavian accuses them of plotting to overthrow Rome

Octavian vs. Antony Civil War: Octavian is Victorious! At Battle of Actium Renamed: EMPEROR AUGUSTUS!!! The Republic is dead!!! Rome is now an Empire!!!

The Rule of Octavian Created a façade of ruling with the Senate and patricians Senate and Magistrates held some powers and advised him. After purging Senate of opposition, gave power back, only to have Senate ask for him to stay. Becomes principate (first citizen) and Augustus (Senate conferred) Creates divine role for leader.

“The First Citizen” Restored classical citizen ruler ideal Reformed military Standing professional army Well paid for 25 yr contracts Building Projects in Rome Reformed forced extortion of territories Reformed tax code to be equal to citizens Bureaucracy becomes a group of capable leaders.

Julio-Claudian Dynasty 14 AD – 68 AD Relatives of Octavian or his third wife Livia Tiberius – poor judgment, fumbled from 14-37 ACE, killed rivals and Germanicus. Set up for… Caligula – went mad, paraded as God-King, emptied treasuries, killed by advisors Claudius – good ruler (reform military, building projects, conquered Brits), bad taste in women, Nero – mother Agrippa sought power over him, but instead he became tyrannical. Killed ppl at random, may have been a pedophile. Great Fire. Killed self in the middle of a revolt against him.

Flavian Dynasty Three Emperors rule in a period of one year, each died under suspicious circumstances or outright murder. Elected Vespasian, whose ten year reign was strong. Built Coliseum Put down revolts in Judea and Gaul destroyed Second Jewish temple during revolt in 70 AD Raised taxes and reclaimed land – refilled Rome’s coffers. Insisted children rule after him, not chosen “son”, caused huge problems. Flavians ended with his son Domitian

Nerva makes key decision Even though the next Emperor’s reign was short, Nerva makes the decision to appoint the next ruler before death AND base it upon merit. He chooses Trajan. It is with Nerva that we get the time of the “Five Good Emperors” lasting from 96 ACE to 180 ACE.

Trajan Conquered Dacia (Bulgaria) and Partha (Persia) and gained great wealth. Eased tax burdens on people. Fought poverty with grain handouts Established program to help poor children, welfare like. Began the process of Romanization

Hadrian Pulled back on some of Trajans conquests, but solidified boundaries in Brittany (Hadrians Wall) Put down second Jewish revolt and scattered Jews out of lands, renaming it Syria Palestine. Sought to make Athens the cultural capital of the Empire.

Antoninius Pius Peaceful time in empire Limited ability of master to torute slaves Innocence until proven guilty Efficient and just ruler who stayed in Italy almost whole time.

Marcus Aurelius Stoic Philosopher Wrote “Meditations” Fought constantly in Germany and Parthia Constantly reassuring borders. Herodes and Fronto become teachers of young man. Devalued Roman Currency Pandemic in 165 AD – ruined city and economy Passed power to his son Commodus – therefore the end of the great period.

Roman Culture Architecture Architecture Temples – set to different gods –more of a meeting place than a worship house Coliseum Construction started in 72 AD – finished in 80 AD 50,000 spectators Mock sea battles Circus Maximus Built over time by Romans starting in 400 BC. Could seat 120,000 ppl Architecture Aqueducts – developed to bring water into cities. Work done by slaves. Roads Developed – Appian Way Triumphal Arches – Titus and Trajan to commemorate victories Forums – built in each major city as the center of culture and society. (primarily basilicas)

Roman Contributions “All ROADS lead to ROME” ENGINEERING “All ROADS lead to ROME” Built Roads throughout Empire Unity, Strength, Trade

Roman Contributions Aqueducts ENGINEERING Aqueducts Plumbing system that carried water to cities

Virgil – The Aeneid – epic poem that describes history of Rome Literature Romans focused on history and poetry more than dramatics and fictional literature Cato (160 BC) – first history of Roman states Gaius Lucilius – poetry “30 Satires” Cicero – described Roman life through philosophy and oratories Virgil – The Aeneid – epic poem that describes history of Rome Tacitus – great historian of Rome – Julius Caesar to Domitian

Roman Contributions LATIN Root of Modern Language All did not speak Latin, but it developed into other languages

Philosophy Science Dominated by Epicureanism and Skepticism early on Cicero Seneca Later on – St. Augustine with Christianity Science Most advances surrounding architectural developments (example: concrete developed) Mining and metellurgy Galen contributed to treating symptoms

Law 12 Tables Set up a class of professional jurists and judges Set up in center of Roma Set up a class of professional jurists and judges Established jus naturale (natural laws) Habaes Corpus, checks and balances, separation of powers, Stare Decisis

Bread and Circuses Events set up during the later Roman period in order to maintain control on the large urban populations being created by expansion of latfundia. Poor Romans were entertained and gained bread rations to go.

Religious Impact