The Roman Empire

1. The Roman Empire World History

2. Aftermath of Caesar’s Death • The Liberators did not anticipate the fallout from Caesar’s assassination • Caesar was very popular among the plebeians in Rome • Two people joined forces to avenge is death • Mark Antony • Caesar’s chief general • Went against Brutus and Cassius to end the possible rebellion • Octavian Augustus • Caesar’s great nephew • Left the throne by Caesar • The Second Triumvirate began • Mark Antony • Octavian Augustus • Marcus Aemilius Lepidus • Octavian gave up full rule because he did not want a fate similar to his great uncle

3. Mark Antony vs. Octavian • Together, with Lepidus, they made up the Second Triumvirate • Antony and Octavian had a strong rivalry • The three men split up Roman territory • Mark Antony began an affair with Cleopatra which angered the Romans • Antony marries Octavia, Octavian’s sister • Antony carried on a very public relationship with Cleopatra • Octavian eliminates Lepidus • Antony divorced Octavia to be with Cleopatra • Octavian declared war on Cleopatra and Egypt • Antony fought with Cleopatra • Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide before being captured • Octavian was restored as the Ruler of Rome and took the title Augustus • Means “Exalted One”

4. Octavian Augustus • Before Octavian, Rome’s government had been declining • He laid the groundwork for a stable government • Had moderate but firm policies • Developed positions in the government • Left the senate in place • Created civil service system to enforce laws • Men of talent were open to high level jobs regardless of class • Strengthened alliances with Rome’s neighbors • Reformed Rome’s economy • Created a census to make tax collection more fair • Created a postal service • Had a universal currency • Put the jobless to work building roads and temples • The style of government Octavian established functioned for 200 years • Problem: Who would take over after he died • Rome disagreed on power passing – too much like a monarchy • As a result, violence and chaos broke out to determine who would rule

5. Good and Bad Emperors Good Emperors Bad Emperors Caligula Insane, evil, tyrant Appointed his horse as consul Refused to share power Nero Persecuted Christians Killed people in vicious ways Believed to have set a gigantic fire to Rome Legend says he played the fiddle while he watched Rome burn to the ground • Hadrian • Codified Roman law • Made it the same for all provinces • Built a wall along the north of Rome’s territory • Marcus Aurelius • He was committed to his country and men • Very intelligent and dignified • He focused on creating peace throughout Rome

6. PaxRomana • PaxRomana = a 200 year span of peace in Rome • Began with Octavian Augustus • Ended with Marcus Aurelius • During this time, Rome was peaceful and prosperous • Its land mass spread from the Euphrates River in the East to Britain in the West • About the size of the continental U.S. • What made it prosperous? • Trade flowed freely • The economy was booming • Stable government • Use and exchange of luxury goods • It was safe to travel throughout Rome • Built roads and trade routes • With travel comes new ideas, goods, culture • Emperors enacted a policy of Bread and Circuses • Give grain and food to the poor for coming to entertainment events • This worked well for some time, but it simply hid many underlying problems within the empire