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The Roman Empire By Joseph Enge. I. Around 750 BC a small settlement was established where the city of Rome, Italy still is today. A. Rome's influence and control grew, area by area, beginning about 500 BC. Punic Wars. Hannibal.
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I. Around 750 BC a small settlement was established where the city of Rome, Italy still is today.
A. Rome's influence and control grew, area by area, beginning about 500 BC.
Punic Wars Hannibal Hannibal & Scipio Meet at Zama Defeat at Zama
B. By 100 BC Rome controlled almost every land that bordered the Mediterranean Sea, which they called "Mare Nostrum" (Our Sea).
C. The Roman Empire reached to its greatest boundaries about 100 AD.
D. Finally, 400 AD (approximately) marks the "official end" of the United Roman Empire.
E. The years 27 BC to 180 AD were the period of "Pax Romana", or "Roman Peace." There was peace and order literally throughout the far-flung empire during these 200+ years.
II. When the Roman Empire was at its "peak" it controlled most of the world known to "Western Civilization."
A. The success of the Roman Empire involved several factors. • 1. The Roman army was powerful and well-organized. • 2. Roman representatives usually employed skillful diplomacy. • 3. The Roman legal system was flexible and efficient (written.) • 4. Government was handled efficiently.
5 Infrastructure (roads, cities, aqueducts, etc.) were almost always improved. • 6. Conquered people were brought into Roman society in various ways. • a. some were given Roman citizenship • b. some were given full rights • c. some were given certain rights • d. most retained a lot of independence
7. Public entertainment was provided. • a. The Coliseum • b. The Circus Maximus
B. Eventually, obviously, the Roman Empire fell apart. This happened over a period of time longer than 200 years involving several factors.
1. Between 37 AD and 476 AD (439 yrs) over 70 emperors ruled Rome (approx. 1 every 6 yrs., instability in govt.) Augustus Marcus Aurelius Constantine
2. Judea, the land of the Jews, was terribly mismanaged. High taxes, harsh enforcement of laws and, most of all, interference with their religion led to revolt between 66 and 70 AD. Emperor Hadrian outlawed the Jewish religion and renamed Judea Palestine around 135 AD.
3. Germanic people invaded parts of the Empire, increasingly during the 4th and 5th centuries AD. • a. This not only cost lives and caused disruption • b. It also encouraged economic disasters: balance of trade was destroyed (imports exceeded exports) • c. In 476 Odoacer, a German, became ruler of Rome.
III. Some interesting and still famous people were in power at times in Rome's history. Cincinnatus Sulla
A. Julius Caesar rose through the military, was a dictator from 49 to 44 BC when he was assassinated on the floor of the senate.
B. Mark Antony, once Caesar's chief lieutenant, ruled with Caesar's adopted son and heir Octavian for over 10 years. Antony fell in love with Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt. Antony and Octavian fought in 30 BC, both Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide.Note: the Pax Romana soon followed.
C. Caligula was a madman who killed many people, including his sister, and appointed his favorite horse senator.
D. Nero murdered his wife and his mother, and very possibly started the fire in 64 AD that lasted 9 days and burned half of Rome.
IV. Christianity is a religion founded in Palestine (then a Roman province) based on the teachings of Jesus (who was a Jew.) • A. The New Testament of the Bible tells of his life and teachings. • 1. He condemned violence and selfishness. • 2. He encouraged brotherhood, love, and caring • 3. His followers called him the Messiah "anointed one", the leader who would usher in the final judgment at the end of time.
B. Jesus was feared by the Romans; they thought he encouraged political turmoil. He was condemned for blasphemy by fellow Jews for proclaiming himself to be the Messiah. • C. Jesus was put to death by crucifixion around 33 AD on order from Pontius Pilate the Roman Governor of Judea.
V. Christianity gained believers during the 1st century AD with the help of Paul and other apostles (missionaries). And, so, the Christian Church grew.
A. The church became well organized at about the same time that the government of Rome fell apart. • B. As Rome stopped doing the necessary work of government, the church took over responsibilities. It gradually became the strongest force in the Western World.