Roman Empire

1. Roman Empire Pax Romana to The Fall of the West. 27 B.C. � 476 A.D.

2. Pax Romana (27 B.C. � 180 A.D.) Pax is the Latin word for peace. Though wars were fought on the borders in defense of the empire, for 207 years the people within Rome�s borders enjoyed peace and prosperity. During this period Rome also made advances in architecture, literature, philosophy and law. Augustus, �Found Rome brick and left it marble.� A silver coin, the denarius, circulated as common coinage throughout the empire. Augustus ended taxation between provinces creating one great economic cell. Created the civil service, loyal, salaried, experienced workers who administered Rome�s grain supply, road repairs, postal system and all the other work of running the empire. An estimated 250,000 soldiers guarded the empire at Augustus� death. Although the number increase under later emperors, the total number of Roman soldiers probably never exceeded 500,000. Trajan, grew the empire to its� greatest size.� The border of the empire extended approximately 10,000 miles encompassing an area of 3 million square miles (approximately the size of the United States). At its� height the Roman Empire ruled between 70-90 million people. 10,000 cities. 180,000 miles of roads. It took at least ten weeks traveling at top speed to cross the empire.

3. Pax Romana (27 B.C. � 180 A.D.) The city of Rome was considered the most spectacular tourist attraction of the ancient world. The city of Rome was the first city to have a population of 1 million. 10,000 Statues 700 Public Baths and Basins. 500 Fountains 37 Monumental Gates 36 Marble Arches Using cement Romans were able to affix marble to stone building increasing their majesty with adding relatively little to their cost. Also using cement, Romans were able to build the dome. Poured on forms on the ground domed roofs could be hosted to the tops of Roman buildings. The temple of the Pantheon is the most famous example of this architectural achievement. Many visitors went home and tried to imitate Rome�s splendor.

4. Julio-Claudian Dynasty Tiberius( 14-37) a good administrator; improved provincial government and the empire's tax system later years marked by wholesale treason trials and executions. Caligula (37-41) mentally disturbed assassinated after short, brutal reign. Claudius (41-54) considered slow-witted as a child but became an able, intelligent emperor; added Britannia to empire set up government departments for accounts, correspondence, and justice Nero (54-68) Became emperor at 16 devoted to the arts a good administrator but increasingly vicious in his use of power responsible for many murders, including that of his own mother rebuilt Rome after the great fire Of A.D. 64 began persecution of Christians committed suicide.

5. Flavian Dynasty Flavian dynasty Vespasian (69-79) ended civil war of A.D. 69 restored empire's finances reformed army Titus (79-81) opened Coliseum reign marked by the eruption of Vesuvius that destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum Domitian (81-96) ruled dictatorially but efficiently later feared treason everywhere and executed many eventually assassinated

6. Five Good Emperors Nerva (96-98) Senator, appointed emperor by senate; Began custom of adopting heir. Trajan (98-117) Spanish-born (first emperor from provinces) conquered Dacia (Romania) empire reached its greatest extent during his rule Hadrian (117-138) Consolidated earlier conquests rather than adding new lands reorganized bureaucracy and set up postal service traveled throughout empire. Antoninus Pius (138-161) Uneventful reign marked by public works and expanded programs for education and child welfare army declined. Marcus Aurelius (161-180) Faced widespread barbarian invasions on Syrian and Danube frontiers wrote philosophic work, Meditations Pax Romana ended with his death.

7. Economic Decline wealth brought to Rome through conquest creates an increasing gap between the wealthy and ordinary citizen Wealthy citizens begin purchasing exotic foreign goods creating a significant imbalance in trade a surplus of agricultural goods in Italy results from greater economic self-sufficiency in the provinces (Gaul, Spain, North Africa) Government addresses problem by controlling (limiting) production or subsidizing consumers Commercial prosperity based on trade over well defended Rome routes Poorly defended borders hampered trade/tax revenue. Little industry and taste for eastern luxuries squandered wealth. Devaluing currency and cost of trade cause severe inflation.