Roman Emperors/ The Crazy Emperors

Roman Emperors/The Crazy Emperors Mr. Hawthorne

Octavian 27 BC to 14 AD • Effectively became the first emperor, but was called ‘princeps’ • Many reforms and achievements: • Brings peace, honest government and sound currency • Establishes a police force, fire brigade and a postal system • Establishes a Navy • Encouraged a new morality amongst the patricians

The Julio-Claudian Emperors(Successors of Augustus) • Tiberius (adopted son of Augustus) • Ruled 14- 37 AD • Caligula (grand-nephew of Tiberius) • Ruled 37- 41 • Claudius (uncle of Caligula) • Ruled 41- 54 • Nero (step-son of Claudius) • Ruled 54- 68

Tiberius (ruled 14-37 AD) • Distinguished general • Adopted by Augustus, since he was “out of relatives” • Forced to divorce his wife and marry Augustus’ daughter, Julia • Long reign created stability during transition after Augustus • Became paranoid after his son died, executed 60 people • Held many treason trials • Moved to Capri where he was a real pervert.

Caligula (ruled 37-41 AD) • Designated emperor by Tiberius • Lacked leadership qualities and abilities • Grew up in a military setting • Ruled with cruelty and violence —called a “monster” • Drained the treasury • Murdered in 41 AD by own guards

Caligula • Well-liked & then became ill-almost died • When he came back-determined to prove immortality • sat in temples • dressed as one of the gods • engaged in conversations with gods • Elected horse (Incitatus) as consul • Killed his own sister • Slept with women to embarrass them and their husbands. • Committed incest with his sisters

Caligula Cont’d • Humiliated senators making them serve him & sisters like slaves • Assassinated after 4 years of rule by guards in secret passage

Claudius (ruled 41-54 AD) • Succession backed by military force • Changed Roman government: enrolled men in Senate from a province outside of Italy and employed freed slaves

Claudius Cont’d • Was cowering behind curtain when chosen as emperor • Birth defect/seizure gave him deformed physique, shaking head, strange expressions, & stammering speech • Problem with drinking, gambling, & women • Fourth marriage was to his niece

Nero (ruled 54-68 AD) • Took over at 16 • Musician and actor • Popular with the poor—sponsored public festivals and handed out cash • Unpopular—drained the treasury, excessive charges of treason • Commanders in the provinces rebelled and brought down regime, Nero commits suicide

Nero Cont’d • Took over at 16 • Musician and actor • Popular with the poor—sponsored public festivals and handed out cash • Unpopular—drained the treasury, excessive charges of treason • Commanders in the provinces rebelled and brought down regime, Nero commits suicide

More Nero!!! • First to persecute Jews & Christians • Trapped people in his own concerts for days at a time • Abandoned by all, stabbed himself in throat before he was captured

The Five Good Emperors Their moderate policies helped maintain peace and stability in the empire. • Nerva—vowed to stop executing Senators • Adoption of heirs • Trajan -empire at its greatest extent • Hadrian —walls everywhere! • Antoninus Pius • Marcus Aurelius —reformer, more rights to women and slaves, philosopher-king

The Pantheon Once a temple to Roman gods, today the Pantheon is a Christian church

Hadrian’s Wall Many stones have been removed for other building projects

The Coliseum An amphitheater capable of seating 50,000 (often used for gladiatorial contests) Begun by Vespasian, completed under Titus

Inside the Colosseum Underground vaults and tunnels were used to house animals and slaves

Roman Roads The Appian WayThis was the first major Roman road - it connected Rome with SE Italy • Over 53000 miles of roads • Facilitated communications • Built by Roman soldiers

Trajan’s Column

Roman aqueducts This Roman-built structure is in modern-day France and was powered by gravity (descended only 17 meters over 31 miles)

Roman Emperors/ The Crazy Emperors