The Pax Romana Roman History 31 BCE-1 st Century AD

Augustus Takes Power: 31 BCE The title Augustus 45 year reign Creator of imperial state. Constitutional monarchy Stability Expansion Pax Romana

Roman Roads Roman Law Literary flowering and architectural genius

The Aeneid

Aeneid The story puts a Roman spin on the Homeric epics. Aeneas follows many of the same paths that Odysseus and Achilles follow, putting a Roman spin on things.

Roman Rulers: post Augustus Tiberius Able general poor leader, disinterested leader.

Caligula Extravagant, ecclectic Assassinated by his guards, a brutal reign comes to an end. “The Horse”

Claudius Saved from his nephew’s bloodpurge Known for his hiding behind curtains, conquest of Britannia and ‘able’ administration Continued ‘bloodpurge’.

Nero Last emperor of the Julio-Claudians Fancied himself an artist and musician. Poisoned several times by his overbearing Mom (Thutmosis III) “Mushrooms the food of the gods” City of wonder Religion

Year of the Four Emperors 69 AD Galba, Otho and Vitellius until the final accession of Vespasian,

Flavor Flavians Titus Vespasian Domitian Bringing order to chaos after the Julio- Claudiuns

Nervan-Antonian dynasty Nerva Trajan Hadrian Antoninus Pius Marcus Aurelius Commodus The Five Good Emperors (and Commodus)

Year of the Five Emperors All resulting in assassination in the year 192 AD The years after Gladiator should be taking place