1. Section 1: From Republic to Empire
Rome and Christianity
Section 1: From Republic to Empire

2. Disorder in the Republic
Politicians and generals went to war to increase their power even as political order broke down in Rome.
There were politically inspired riots to restore the power of the tribunes.
Cicero tried to stop the chaos in Rome’s government
He was a philosopher and gifted orator
He called on upperclass Romans to work together to make Rome a better place
He wanted to limit the power of generals, give more support to the Senate and to restore checks and balances on government

3. Julius Caesar A general Admired for his bravery and skill in battle
Treated his soldiers well
His military successes made him a key figure in Roman politics
Was also a great speaker – won many supporters with his speeches in the forum
Created an alliance with Pompey and Crassus – two of Rome’s most influential men
They feared Caesar’s growing power and wanted him to step down – Caesar refused

4. Caesar would defeat Pompey in Greece
Upon his return to Rome, Caesar made himself dictator for life.
Caesar reduced the powers of the Senate
Many feared his growing strength and were concerned he would become king of Rome
A group of Senators attacked Caesar in the Senate and stabbed him to death

5. The End of the Republic
Marc Antony and Octavian (aka Augustus) emerged to take control of Rome after Caesar’s death
They set out with an army to try to avenge Caesar’s death
Their army caught up to the killers near Philippi in northern Greece
They would defeat their opponents, and the leaders killed themselves
Octavian turned against Antony when Antony divorced his wife, who was Octavian’s sister, in order to marry Cleopatra
Octavian saw this as an insult to his sister and to himself
Octavian would gain nearly limitless power and took the title princeps (first citizen)

6. Octavian would give up all his power to the Senate, but, in reality, kept all his power
Senate gave him a new name – Augustus (“revered one”)
Modern historians consider the naming of Augustus to mark the end of the Roman Republic and the beginning of the Roman Empire

7. Rome’s Growing Empire
By the early 100s, the Romans took over Gaul and central Europe
The Roman conquests promoted trade
Traders brought: metals, cloth, food, spices, silk, and animals
To pay for their trade goods, Romans used currency, or money
The first 200 years of the Roman Empire was a time of general peace and prosperity
Stable government and a well-run army helped Rome grow wealthy and safe
This time period became known as Pax Romana, or Roman peace

8. Rome’s Accomplishments
Science and Engineering
Studied the stars to produce a calendar
Galen, a doctor, described the valves of the heart and noted differences between arteries and veins
They were great builders – made cement, built their roads in layers, created lasting structures by using arches, created aqueducts (raised channel used to carry water from mountains into cities)
Created vaults – set of arches that support the roof of a building
Architecture and Art
Copied some Greek designs – columns and covered many buildings with marble
The Colosseum – huge building constructed for gladiator fights
Beautiful mosaics, paintings (frescoes – painting done on plaster), and statues, portraits

9. Literature and Language
Virgil – wrote the Aeneid
Ovid wrote poems about Roman mythology
Wrote in Latin which later developed into many different languages
Romance languages – Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Romanian
Law
Roman law inspired a system called civil law
A legal system based on a written code of laws