Octavian became the first Roman Emperor in 27 B.C.Octavian became the first Roman Emperor in 27 B.C. The Senate gave him the title of Augustus which meant exalted.The Senate gave him the title of Augustus which meant exalted. Augustus began the Julian line of emperors. Pax RomanaHe began a period of peace and prosperity known as the Pax Romana which began with Augustus and continued for 200 years. Octavian - Augustus: Rome’s First Emperor

Encouraged trade and began common coinage.Encouraged trade and began common coinage. Glorified Rome with splendid buildingsGlorified Rome with splendid buildings Created a stable system of governmentCreated a stable system of government Encouraged the old values of simplicity, sober conduct and patriotism (Gravitas)Encouraged the old values of simplicity, sober conduct and patriotism (Gravitas) Began highway construction to bind his empire togetherBegan highway construction to bind his empire together Began public works programs and civil serviceBegan public works programs and civil service Octavian - Augustus: Rome’s First Emperor

Imperial Roman Road System

The First Roman Dynasty

Tiberius (14-37)  Improved provincial government and tax system.  Brought Rome its greatest prosperity  Jesus was crucified during his reign The Julian Emperors

Caligula (37-41)  Was insane by the time he came to power  Brutally oppressed citizens of Rome  Broke the Roman treasury  Assassinated in 41 AD The Julian Emperors

Claudius (41-54)  Intelligent and scholarly emperor  Ruled empire wisely and rebuilt its treasury  Added Britain to the Empire The Julian Emperors

Nero (54-68)  Initially a good emperor before going insane.  Became increasingly cruel.  Rome burned during his reign.  He began organized persecution of Christians.  Forced to flee and committed suicide The Julian Emperors

After the death of Nero, Rome was ruled by emperors who were supported by the military. Beginning in 96 AD, a series of emperors known as the Good Emperors led the empire effectively for nearly a century.

Nerva  Chosen by the Senate.  Began reforms by lowering taxes and distributing land to the poor.  Began tradition of adopting an heir to be emperor. The Good Emperors

Trajan  Born in Spain. Became the first emperor from the provinces.  Expanded the Empire to its greatest size. The Good Emperors

The Roman Empire at its Largest

Hadrian  Reorganized the Roman bureaucracy.  Had defensive walls built along the frontiers of the Empire.  Reorganized Roman law and rebuilt the city. The Good Emperors

Antonius Pius  Instituted public works programs.  Expanded educational programs and programs for child welfare.  Military began to decline during his reign. The Good Emperors

Marcus Aurelius  Last of the Good Emperors  Faced widespread invasions of frontiers by barbarian tribes.  Spent most of his reign on the defense of Rome.  His death ended the Pax Romana. The Good Emperors

The Rise of Christianity

St. Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles

The Spread of Christianity

Diocletian - Divided the Empire into Eastern and Western halves in order to better manage it. Constantine - Established a new Roman capital at Byzantium which later became Constantinople. He converted to Christianity in 310. He was the last effective ruler. The Decline of the Empire Following the death of Marcus Aurelius, the Empire began to slowly decline. Civil War, barbarian invasions and internal strife threatened its very existence. Two strong leaders managed to hold the Empire together for a while.

Diocletian Splits the Empire : 294

Constantine:

Constantinople: “The 2 nd Rome” (Founded in 330)

Decline of the Roman Empire Political Weaknesses The Empire became to large to administerThe Empire became to large to administer Decline of the military and loyalty to governmentDecline of the military and loyalty to government Series of weak rulersSeries of weak rulers Economic Decline Heavy government expenses drained the treasuryHeavy government expenses drained the treasury Trade, industry, and agriculture began to disappearTrade, industry, and agriculture began to disappear Revenue from conquered lands declinedRevenue from conquered lands declined Heavy taxation caused internal strifeHeavy taxation caused internal strife

Decline of the Roman Empire Outside Invasions Germanic tribes invaded the outposts of the Empire gradually weakening the defensesGermanic tribes invaded the outposts of the Empire gradually weakening the defenses Visigoths, Ostrogoths and Vandals were the main invaders.Visigoths, Ostrogoths and Vandals were the main invaders. They were pushed into Roman territory by the HunsThey were pushed into Roman territory by the Huns Other Factors Population of the Empire declinedPopulation of the Empire declined Decay in family life and moralsDecay in family life and morals Spread of Christianity discouraged aggressivenessSpread of Christianity discouraged aggressiveness

Barbarian Invasions:

Fall of the Roman Empire In the late 300’s barbarian tribes began to invade the Western EmpireIn the late 300’s barbarian tribes began to invade the Western Empire In 476 the Western Empire fell to the invaders and ended the Empire.In 476 the Western Empire fell to the invaders and ended the Empire. This date marks the end of the ancient period of history.This date marks the end of the ancient period of history.

The Legacy of Rome  Republican form of Government  Roman Law  Latin Language  Roman Catholic Church  City Planning  Roman Engineering Aqueducts Aqueducts Sewage systems Sewage systems Cement Cement Arch Arch Roads & Highways Roads & Highways

The Roman Forum

Fall of the Roman Empire In the late 300’s barbarian tribes began to invade the Western EmpireIn the late 300’s barbarian tribes began to invade the Western Empire In 476 the Western Empire fell to the invaders and ended the Empire.In 476 the Western Empire fell to the invaders and ended the Empire. This date marks the end of the ancient period of history.This date marks the end of the ancient period of history.

The Roman Forum today

AqueductsAqueducts ArchArch

Roman Roads and Highways The Appian Way Roman Baths

The Roman Colosseum

The Circus Maximus

Byzantium: The Eastern Roman Empire

The Byzantine Empire During the Reign of Justinian

The Byzantine Emperor Justinian