1. Augustus and the Pax Romana
Caesar Augustus, The Vatican Museums, Rome

2. Why was there a civil war between
Review: After Julius Caesar’s assassination, who comprised the second triumvirate?
Lepidus, Marc Antony and Octavian (later known as Caesar Augustus)
Why was there a civil war between
Octavian’s forces and Marc Antony’s forces?
Octavian was opposed to Marc Antony’s alliance/relationship with Cleopatra. Both sought to control Rome.

3. Caesar Augustus
Octavian’s armies and Antony’s forces fought at the Battle of Actium in 31, B.C.E. where Octavian’s army crushed Antony’s forces.
Octavian then became the “Imperator” or Caesar Augustus, Emperor of Rome
Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide in Egypt a year later.

4. Republic or Empire?
Early on, Augustus sought to restore the Roman Republic by giving some power back to the Senators.
The senate, in return, gave Augustus great control of Rome, naming him “Imperator” or Emperor.
Augustus had authority to appoint governors in Rome’s provinces which previously had been controlled by Senators.
“Senatus Populusque Romanus”
The Senate and People of Rome

5. Augustus was Rome’s first Emperor and he was a good one
Augustus was Rome’s first Emperor and he was a good one. The Pax Romana or “Roman Peace” begins with him.
His accomplishments:
Expansion of the empire in Asia Minor, Southwest
Asia and Europe (but not across the Danube River)
His only military defeat would be here by Germanic
tribes.
Stability of the three social classes, senatorial,
equestrian and lower classes. There was mobility for
some.
Developed a civil service – a way of hiring government
workers based on education and experience. He made
jobs available to the equestrian class.
Established rule by law – laws governed the people not
arbitrary decisions.

6. Augustus’ Achievements - continued
5. Used a uniform money system which expanded trade.
6. Made the Roman roads safe for travel throughout the empire which increased trade.
Emphasized the importance of family. -
Paterfamilias - Ex. Julia

7. The Pax Romana was a 207 year period in which Rome experienced Peace, Prosperity and Stability
POLITICAL
IMPACT
Augustus chose his successor –
his stepson
Some peaceful transition
of power between
emperors—but not
always.
Created a Civil Service
Stability in government, even when emperors were unstable.

8. Political Impact Continued
Romans, rich and poor alike, were subject to the law. No one was above the law. Principle of innocence until
proven guilty was established.
Developed a uniform rule of law
Expanded territory into Greece, Southwest
Asia and north including Britain
Rome spread its influence and culture throughout the Mediterranean, Southwest Asia, Israel, Egypt, and Europe.

10. Promoted prosperity and stability
Pax Romana
Economic Impact
Expanded
Trade- Luxury
goods imported
into Rome – Gold
coins leaving
the empire
Uniform money system
Safe travel on Roman roads
Promoted prosperity and stability

11. Social Impact 1. Returned stability to social classes
Pax Romana
Social Impact
1. Returned stability to social classes
-Poor not sliding further
into poverty
-Social unrest minimal
-Bread and Circus kept
the poor masses happy
2. Family becomes very important
Romans identified
themselves by the
male head of household
--paterfamilias. Girls
were named after their
fathers – ex. Julia, Olivia.

12. The Emperors
After Augustus, there were five “Good” Emperors in the Pax Romana period.
Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antonius Pius and Marcus Aurelius

13. CRAZY! And then there were the bad emperors: Tiberius, Caligula, Nero
Rome’s civil servants
kept the government
operating smoothly
despite crazy emperors.

14. By the third century, CE, the Pax Romana had ended and the empire had begun to crumble.