THE ROMAN EMPIRE

THE PAX ROMANA

Period of Peace and Prosperity (27 B.C. to 180 A.D)

Empire was size of U.S.A. with 70-90 mil people

Augustus implemented this time of peace by returning to old values: simplicity, sober conduct, patriotism

TRADE DURING TIME OF AUGUSTUS

Used a common currency (the denarius), making trade easier throughout different part of the empire

Removed tariffs between provinces making trade more successful

Built roads: one of the most important and lasting aspects of Rome

Also discovered & engineered aqueducts to cities, making them more inviting for trade centers

AQUEDUCTS

CIVIL SERVICE

Senators kept titles and salaries, but no real power

Gave most work of running the city to Plebeians and Slaves

These were salaried positions needed to keep the empire running and strong: road repair, postal work, grain supply, etc.

These jobs prevented slaves from revolting

JULIAN EMPERORS

Four emperors all from family lineage of Caesar

None as talented as Augustus but maintained the peace of the Pax Romana

SUCCESSION

Who was to rule once an emperor died and whose decision was it? Dying emperor? Senate? Succesful military leader? Praetorian Guard (guards of the city of Rome and

body guards to the emperor)? Arguments, disagreements, civil war, and

murder often ensued In one 18 month period, they were 4 emperors

due to constant assassination

THE GOOD EMPERORS

Each chose their successor before death

Transition occurred for 85 years without bloodshed

Only some were actually “good” leaders, but called Good Emperors because avoided turmoil for the state

Last Good Emperor, Marcus Aurelius, died in 180 A.D. bringing an end to the Pax Romana

DEPICTION OF GOOD EMPERORS

LITERATURE OF THE EARLY EMPIRE

Greek inspiration led to strong Roman writers

Augustus expected Patriotism Livy: Wrote patriotic history of Rome Virgil: Epic Poet who wrote most famous

body of Latin work, The Aeneid (copied style from Homer and even traced Roman history back to the Trojan War)

SILVER AGE OF LITERATURE

Criticism replaced patriotism Satire Juvenal: satirical writer who wrote

morals of individuals in Rome Tacitus: satirical writer who condemned

Rome’s government No punishment for satire because Rome

was so secure and thriving, not threatened by disapproval

LAW OF THE ROMAN REPUBLIC

Based on stoicism Innocent until proven guilty Right to face your accusers and defend

yourself Reasonable Doubt = innocent Ability to change laws

Influenced throughout Western Civilization until current day

DRASTIC DIFFERENCE FOR RICH AND POOR

Wealthy threw large parties with so many courses of food they built a vomitorium in their home

Poor lived in awful, rat-infested, conditions

Empire provided food and housing for those in need, however

VILLA OF THE RICH

HOUSING TENEMENTS OF THE POOR

RELIGION IN THE EMPIRE

Greco-roman gods no longer believed in but were symbolic of loyalty to the empire

Religious toleration as long as respected tradition of the gods and held emperor acclaimed as a god

BIG problem for monotheists: Jews and Christians

JEWS IN THE EMPIRE

Jews not willing to worship emperor as god

Romans were fairly tolerant of Jews allowing freedom of religion and excused from worshipping emperor

Jews still opposed Roman rule and Zealots rebelled in 66 A.D.

Romans defeated rebellion and ended Jewish state for 2,000 (but religion endured)

JESUS

Jesus was a Jew Began ministry at age 30 He was a wondering prophet and teacher Not impressed by wealth or status, so

became very popular among the poor He valued morals and ethics He was hailed as a Messiah Many Romans believed he threatened

Roman authority and he was crucified

PAUL

Never knew Jesus Most profoundly influenced spread of

Christianity Paul traveled freely throughout empire to

spread word due to stability of Pax Romana Claimed Jesus was son of God Believers will be saved by faith in Gog and

grace of God Christianity was open to all– Jews and non-

Jews

CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION

Nero persecuted the Christians Then many emperors persecuted Christians

upon fall of the Pax Romana Emperors wanted to be gods Christians could recant their belief or maintain

their beliefs and be tortured and killed This showed weakness of Empire (think satire) By 200 A.D., about 10% of Empire was

Christian

PETER

Disciple selected by Jesus Served as Rome’s first bishop Later there were bishops in all major

cities, but the bishop of Rome was considered most important

Eventually the Roman bisho become Pope

This belief in a pope become the Petrine Doctrine

THE FALL OF THE EMPIRE

The decline happened in three stages “Crisis of the Third Century”

Political, economic, and military problems Division of the Empire

Empire divided into east and west Barbarian Invasion

Empire collapses in 476 A.D.

CRISIS OF THE 3RD CENTURY

Economic Trade routes ended due to barbarians and

pirates Gold and silver gone from buying luxuries

in foreign lands Inflation due to coins no longer having

value of silver Agriculture declined, possibly from over-

worked soil

CRISIS OF THE 3RD CENTURY

Military Losses to the Goths Loss to Persia Began using mercenary soldiers

CRISIS OF THE 3RD CENTURY

Political Lack of loyalty due to lack of political

participation Those that did serve were required to

collect taxes; if unable, they had to pay themselves

Armies became interested in politics and tried to use force to govern the empire

DIVISION OF THE EMPIRE

Diocletian Became Emperor in 284 A.D. for 21 yrs. Greatly attempted reform to restore strength

to the empire Doubled size of army Price and wage control to halt inflation Restore old gods, persecute Christians Split the Empire into East and West for

manageability These reforms were not all successful but did

halt the decline of Rome during his reign

DIVISION OF THE EMPIRE

Constantine Military commander who was fighting for control

of empire after Diocletian’s rule Implemented Edict of Milan (freedom of religion)

after winning Battle at Milvian Bridge He then gained control of both eastern and

western halves Moved capital to eastern half and named it

Constantinople Empire still split, but eastern half now more

powerful

BARBARIAN INVASIONS

Invasions for a century by Germanic tribes

Germanic tribes feared the Huns who moved west from Asia, forcing them south into Rome

Huns came to Rome but Pope Leo I convinced Attila to leave

14 yr. old, Romulus Augustulus, was last emperor who lost to Odoacer