1. Journey Across Time Chapter 8 Section 4
The Early Roman Empire
Journey Across Time
Chapter 8 Section 4

3. The Main Idea Augustus
By expanding the Roman Empire and reorganizing the military and government, Augustus created a new era of prosperity, starting ca 27 BC.

4. Military Augustus built a permanent, professional army of about
150,000 men (all Roman Citizens)
Created Praetorian Guard consisting of 9,000 elite troops in charge of guarding emperor
His Legions conquered new land including Spain, Gaul, and what is today known as Hungary, Austria, Romania, and Bulgaria

5. Roman “Century” Unit & Weapons

6. Rome Rebuilt
Augustus rebuilt Rome with palaces, fountains, and splendid public buildings
“I found Rome a city of brick, ” he boasted, “and left it a city of marble”.
He imported grain from Africa to feed the poor. Well-fed people are a happy people.
He even created the first fire department

7. Government reforms
Huge population (over 50 million people), so appointed a proconsul/governor to each province, replacing the previous senate
Reformed tax system, making it more fair by making tax collectors government workers.
Reformed the legal system, creating a set of laws for those not yet citizens.

8. After Augustus Relative and trained by Augustus
Augustus died in A.D. 14, after ruling for almost 40 years
The next 4 emperors all came from his family
Tiberius A.D.
Relative and trained by Augustus
Ruled competently, was a strong military leader
Kept the economy stable
Caligula A.D.
Crazy and cruel! Murdered many and wasted money
Even made his favorite horse a consul
He abolished sale tax and increased the power of the courts.
Eventually killed by Praetorian Guard
Claudius A.D.
Replaced Caligula and ruled competently
Built the harbor at Ostia, new aqueducts, & conquered most of Britain.
Nero A.D.
Vicious! Killed mother, two wives
Best remembered for having “fiddled while Rome burned” in 64 A.D. But is it a TRUE STORY?
Committed suicide

9. Unity and Prosperity
After Nero, Vespasian took the throne and restored peace and order.
Began constructing the Coliseum
Followed by sons, and then the 5 “Good Emperors,” which improved Roman life.
The “Good Emperors” continued to improve on Rome’s system of roads, aqueducts (a human-made channel for water), ports, and developed a common currency made the empire rich and prosperous .

10. The Good Emperors

11. Summary
By expanding the Roman Empire and reorganizing the military and government, Augustus began a new era of prosperity know as Pax Romana, that lasted for 200 years.