1. Pax Romana
Roman Peace

2. Begins with the rule of Augustus Caesar www. uoregon
Begins with the rule of Augustus Caesar
Defeats forces of Marc Antony and Cleopatra
Solidifies power around 27 B.C.
Becomes “Emperor of Rome”

3. Pax Romana Economic Impact
Established uniform system of money - expands trade
Guaranteed safe travel and trade in empire
Army - Roman legions
Great road system - 50,000 miles of highway
Promoted prosperity

4. Pax Romana Social Impact
Returned stability of social classes
Increased emphasis on family

5. Pax Romana Political Impact
Created Civil Service
Developed uniform rule of law
12 Tables

6. Five Good Emperors (96-180 A.D.)
Rulers of Pax Romana
Julian Rulers (14-68 A.D.)
Army Rulers (68-69 A.D.)
Flavian Rulers (69-96 A.D.)
Five Good Emperors ( A.D.)

7. All descendents of Julius Caesar
Julian Rulers
All descendents of Julius Caesar

8. Nero thepaolas.com/Emperors/Emperors/Scans/Nero.jpg
Rules from A.D.
Good administrator but vicious
Responsible for many murders including his own mother
Rebuild Rome after great fire – possibly set by Nero to persecute Christians
Had Peter (crucifixion) and Paul (beheaded) executed

9. Five Good Emperors Nerva (96-98)
Trajan (98-117) – Rome expands to greatest extent
Hadrian ( ) – Solidified conquests and set up postal service – Hadrian’s wall
Antoninius Pius ( )
Marcus Aurelius ( ) Barbaric invasions begin – Pax Romana dies with him

10. Roman Empire Begins Decline
Spiral starts after the death of Marcus Aurellius

11. Fall of the Roman Empire
Begins with rule of Commodus, Marcus Aurelius’ son

12. Three Stages of Decline
“Crisis of the Third Century” – many economic, military, and political problems
Time of revival – empire cut into two halves (Eastern half is strengthened but West continues spiral)
Western half falls to Barbaric invaders

13. Crisis Weakens Empire
Contributing Factors

14. Economic Decay Poor Harvests Disrupted trade (Barbarians)
No more plunder from wars
Gold and Silver drain
Inflation
Crushing tax burden

15. Political Decay Political office seen as burden, not reward
Military interference in politics
Civil War and unrest
Division of Empire
Moving capital to Byzantium

16. Military Decay Threat from Persians and barbarians
Low funds for defense
Problems recruiting Roman citizens – recruiting of Barbarians
Decline of patriotism an loyalty among soldiers

17. Social Decay Lack of interest in public affairs
Low confidence in empire
Disloyalty, lack of patriotism, corruption
Contrast between rich and poor

18. Immediate Causes of Fall
Pressure from the Huns
Invasion by Germanic tribes and by Huns

19. Fall of Roman Empire (only a movement in reality)
Conquests by Barbarians
Sack of Rome

20. Important Emperors of The Move

21. Diocletian www.stephen.j.murray.btinternet.co.uk/diocletian.jpg
Rules
Split empire in two parts – takes control of Eastern empire and names some else to rule the western half
Tries to stop decline – somewhat successful

22. wps.ablongman.com/wps/media/objects/262/268312/art/figures/KISH_07_149.gif

23. Constantine www.mingyuen.edu.hk/history/5rome/03king/constantine.jpg
First Christian emperor on Empire
Reunites both halves of empire
Moves capital from Rome to Constantinople (Byzantium)

24. Theodosius
Make Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire

25. Invading Barbarian Invaders
Goths (Ostrogoths / Visagoths)
Franks
Vandals
Saxons
Burgundians
Lombards

26. wps.ablongman.com/wps/media/objects/262/268312/art/figures/KISH_06_140b.gif

27. Important Invaders
Attila the Hun