The Roman Empire

The Republic Collapses

Economic Collapse Increasing gap between rich & poorIncreasing gap between rich & poor Population Breakdown:Population Breakdown: Urban poor (25%)Urban poor (25%) Slave population (33%)Slave population (33%) Small farms can’t compete with large farms worked by slavesSmall farms can’t compete with large farms worked by slaves

Decreasing loyalty within the militaryDecreasing loyalty within the military Power-hungry generals & shifting loyaltiesPower-hungry generals & shifting loyalties 1 st Triumvirate:1 st Triumvirate: Caesar, Pompey, Crassus (rule for 10 years)Caesar, Pompey, Crassus (rule for 10 years) Triumvirate: group of 3 rulersTriumvirate: group of 3 rulers Military Upheaval

Julius Caesar

Caesar: Elected consul in 59BCCaesar: Elected consul in 59BC Successful campaign to conquer GaulSuccessful campaign to conquer Gaul Threatened… Senate orders Caesar homeThreatened… Senate orders Caesar home Julius Caesar

Returns to Rome & defeats PompeyReturns to Rome & defeats Pompey 46BC becomes Dictator but has support of army & masses46BC becomes Dictator but has support of army & masses Julius Caesar

Granted Roman citizenship to people living in Roman provincesGranted Roman citizenship to people living in Roman provinces Expanded the SenateExpanded the Senate Aided the poor by providing jobsAided the poor by providing jobs Increased pay for militaryIncreased pay for military Caesar’s Reforms

But Caesar’s power & popularity threatens other SenatorsBut Caesar’s power & popularity threatens other Senators On March 15, 44BC, several powerful Senators stab him to death in Senate chamberOn March 15, 44BC, several powerful Senators stab him to death in Senate chamber Caesar’s Death

The Beginning of the Empire

The Empire Civil war broke out after Caesar’s deathCivil war broke out after Caesar’s death Destroyed what was left of RepublicDestroyed what was left of Republic

The Empire 3 of Caesar’s supporters banded together to crush the assassins3 of Caesar’s supporters banded together to crush the assassins Octavian, Mark Antony, LepidusOctavian, Mark Antony, Lepidus Took control of Rome & ruled for 10 years as the 2 nd TriumverateTook control of Rome & ruled for 10 years as the 2 nd Triumverate

The Empire Alliance ended in jealousy & violence…Alliance ended in jealousy & violence… Octavian forced Lepidus to retireOctavian forced Lepidus to retire Octavian and Antony became rivalsOctavian and Antony became rivals Antony met Cleopatra, fell in love with her, & followed her to EgyptAntony met Cleopatra, fell in love with her, & followed her to Egypt

Cleopatra + Marc Antony

The Empire Another civil war erupted, Octavian defeated forces of Cleopatra & Antony…Another civil war erupted, Octavian defeated forces of Cleopatra & Antony… Antony & Cleopatra commit suicideAntony & Cleopatra commit suicide

The Empire Octavian became the UNCHALLENGED RULER of RomeOctavian became the UNCHALLENGED RULER of Rome Accepted title of Augustus; the “exalted one”Accepted title of Augustus; the “exalted one” Kept title “imperator” or “supreme military commander” (emperor is derived from this title)Kept title “imperator” or “supreme military commander” (emperor is derived from this title)

A Vast & Powerful Empire

The Pax Romana Peak of Rome’s power- beginning during rule of Augustus (27BC)Peak of Rome’s power- beginning during rule of Augustus (27BC) Time of peace & prosperity (207 yrs) Pax Romana:Time of peace & prosperity (207 yrs) Pax Romana: “Roman Peace”“Roman Peace”

Extent of Empire Roman empire included more than 3 million square milesRoman empire included more than 3 million square miles Its population was between million peopleIts population was between million people 1 million people lived in Rome during this time1 million people lived in Rome during this time

Extent of Empire Included Spain, Mesopotamia, North Africa, & BritainIncluded Spain, Mesopotamia, North Africa, & Britain

Glorified Rome with public buildingsGlorified Rome with public buildings Stabilized the Roman frontierStabilized the Roman frontier Set up a civil service- paid workers to manage affairs of governmentSet up a civil service- paid workers to manage affairs of government Civil servants drawn from Plebeians & former slaves administered empireCivil servants drawn from Plebeians & former slaves administered empire Contributions of Augustus

Daily Life in the Roman Empire

Agriculture & Trade Agriculture -most important industryAgriculture -most important industry 90% of population involved in farming90% of population involved in farming HUGE trading network; made easier because of common coinageHUGE trading network; made easier because of common coinage Traded with Greece, Anatolia, China, India, etc.Traded with Greece, Anatolia, China, India, etc.

Social Classes Classes have little in commonClasses have little in common Lives different for poor and richLives different for poor and rich Government provided games, races, mock battles, & gladiator contests to distract & control massesGovernment provided games, races, mock battles, & gladiator contests to distract & control masses Colosseum - huge arena that could hold over 50,000 peopleColosseum - huge arena that could hold over 50,000 people