1. Chapter 5

3. Latin for “Roman Peace” 27 BCE-180 CE
The Basics
Pax Romana
Latin for “Roman Peace”
27 BCE-180 CE
200 years of peace and great achievement in the Roman Empire
the Golden Age of Rome

4. 59-51 BCE conquered Gaul (France)
The Background
Julius Caesar
59-51 BCE conquered Gaul (France)
Became a famous military hero in Rome
49 BCE “Crossed the Rubicon”
crossed the Rubicon River with his army &
entered the city of Rome
--fought for 5 years against the rest
of the Roman army
civil war -war between people
in the same country

5. dictator- a single ruler with absolute power
The Background
Julius Caesar
49 BCE made himself dictator of Rome
dictator- a single ruler with absolute power
By doing this...
Caesar created the Roman Empire
Empire- a collection of regions and people led by a ruler with absolute power
March 15, 44 BCE—
Killed on the Senate floor by 2 unhappy senators,
Brutus & Cassius

6. -defeated his sworn enemy, Marc Antony
The Background
Caesar’s nephew took over
Augustus Caesar
Won a famous battle--Battle of Actium,31 BCE
-defeated his sworn enemy, Marc Antony
-added Egypt to the Roman Empire
-became very popular in Rome
The Senate made him dictator for 10 years
-Augustus stayed in power for over 40 yrs.
-every leader after Augustus was called an Emperor
Under Augustus, Rome went from Republic to Empire

9. brought Roman justice and laws to all provinces
Pax Romana
The Pax Romana started under Augustus (27 BCE-180 CE)
Augustus….
brought Roman justice and laws to all provinces
built a huge army to protect Roman borders from invasion
united Roman people under one leader
Romans could concentrate on art, architecture, technology, literature, etc
“Augustus found Rome
built of brick, and left it
built of marble.”

10. Roman roads & aqueducts
Technology
Transportation system connected all parts of the empire
Roman roads & aqueducts
--bridge-like structures that carry water by using gravity
allowed people, armies, and trade caravans to travel quickly through empire

11. Added arches and domes to post and beam architecture
Rome borrowed Greek columns and building designs
Added arches and domes to post and beam architecture

14. Art
Rome borrowed Greek ideas of beauty and realism
Took realism further by making people look really real, not just perfect and beautiful 14

15. Cultural Diffusion during the Pax Romana
Roman culture spread through the Empire
Roman laws & justice for all
Latin language blended with local languages to form:
Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese
Gladiator sports/coliseums everywhere
Religion: Roman polytheism; eventfully Christianity 15