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The Roman Empire

The Roman Empire. 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. The Pax Romana.

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The Roman Empire

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  1. The Roman Empire

  2. 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 The PaxRomana

  3. 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 Trade during time of augustus

  4. Aqueducts

  5. 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 Civil service

  6. Four emperors all from family lineage of Caesar None as talented as Augustus but maintained the peace of the PaxRomana Julian emperors

  7. 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 succession

  8. 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 PaxRomana The good emperors

  9. Depiction of good emperors

  10. 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) Literature of the early empire

  11. 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 Silver age of literature

  12. 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 Law of the roman republic

  13. 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 Drastic difference for rich and poor

  14. Villa of the rich

  15. Housing tenements of the poor

  16. 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 Religion in the empire

  17. 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) Jews in the empire

  18. 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 jesus

  19. Never knew Jesus Most profoundly influenced spread of Christianity Paul traveled freely throughout empire to spread word due to stability of PaxRomana 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 paul

  20. Nero persecuted the Christians Then many emperors persecuted Christians upon fall of the PaxRomana 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 Christian persecution

  21. 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 peter

  22. 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. The Fall of the empire

  23. 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

  24. Military • Losses to the Goths • Loss to Persia • Began using mercenary soldiers Crisis of the 3rd century

  25. 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 Crisis of the 3rd century

  26. 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

  27. 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 Division of the empire

  28. 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 Barbarian invasions

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