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ROMAN EMPIRE
Second Triumvirate
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Octavian, Antony, Lepidus
avenge Caesar’s death
o Brutus/Cassius defeated Battle of Philippi (42 BC)
o Cicero – hands/head cut off and placed in Forum on display
gradually became rivals
Lepidus forced into retirement
31 B.C.
Battle of Actium
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Octavian defeated Antony
Octavian emerged as sole master of Roman world
January 13, 27 BC
 Octavian appeared before the Senate and laid down his supreme power
 Senate gave him new powers and title of AUGUSTUS (Exalted one)
 Symbolic of re-establishing power of Senate
 given supreme command over all legions
Augustus referred to himself as “1st Princeps” [First Citizen]
 co-ruled with Senate (had in reality much more power than Senate)
According to Tacitus
 Augustus was very popular
 “Indeed he attracted everybody’s goodwill by the enjoyable gift of peace….Opposition did not exist.”
27 BC “PAX ROMANA”
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Roman Peace
free from civil wars and major invasions
time of “Romanization” of western world
Roman legal system extended law/order to provinces
Augustus had to restructure Rome and re-establish confidence
1. Restructured the military
a. reduced from 60 legions to 28 Legions
i. gotten too large during late Republic
ii. decreased burden on people
iii. easier to manage
b. established Paid, Professional, Permanent military
i. loyalty to Rome, not generals
c. created Praetorian Guard
d. removed military from Rome
Mr. Meier
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2. Restored confidence of Senate
a. Augustus removed corrupt senators
b. Augustus removed Senators from provinces (Caesar had expanded Senate to increase his
supporters)
c. Augustus was respectful of the Senate
d. Lived modestly
3. Restored Religion / Morality
a. repaired temples
b. built new temples
c. increased pride in Roman religion
d. adultery punished as a crime
e. rewards for families with 3 or more children
4. Helped Poor
a. Public works programs
5. Strengthened Infrastructure
a. Roads
b. Bridges
c. Police force
14 A.D.
Augustus died [31 B.C. – 14 A.D.]
 “I found Rome a city of brick and left it a city of marble.”
 hero // god – applause on his death bed
 continued to undermine Republican government
o united many positions under his control
 consul, tribune, pontifex maximus [chief priest]
 princes, pater patriae (father of country)
 supreme ruler, king, emperor, absolute power
14 A.D.
TIBERIUS
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37
CALIGULA
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Mr. Meier
stepson of Augustus
appointed by Augustus
became paranoid
o killed members of Senate Equestrian class
emperor when Jesus Christ was killed
37 got sick…coma…came out of coma…smothered by Caligula
“little boots”
Appointed by Senate
First few years ruled well…but got sick (Epileptic Seizure / poison?) and went insane
opened “brothel” in palace
appt. his horse, Incitatus, as Senator
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41
CLAUDIUS
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54
appointed by Praetorian Guard
drooled, stuttered, limped, ill
expanded into southern Britain
built Aqueduct Claudia
poisoned [mushrooms] by his wife, Agrippina (sister of Caligula)
o wanted her son, Nero [Claudius’ adopted son] could rule
NERO
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Mr. Meier
tried to bring “Statue of Zeus” from Olympia to Rome
o as workers were taking apart, they heard what they thought was laughing inside the
statue, they got scared and left
 inside “wood frame” of statue was filled with mice, they were probably
scurrying around which was taken as laughter
Caligula dreamt he was beside the “Statue of Zeus” and the next day he was killed
o revenge for trying to move the statue?
built bridge from his palace to Temple of Jupiter
replaced heads on statues with his head
declared war on English Channel (the water) collected sea shells as “money”
very hairy
o made it punishable by death to make jokes
killed Brittanica (step brother) because he feared Agrippina was going to try and make him
leader instead of Nero
ROME HAD NO METHOD OF SUCCESSION TO GET RID OF BAD POLITICIANS…RESORTED
TO ASSASSINATIONS
murdered by Praetorian Guard
saw himself as more of a “star” than emperor
too young to rule
o co-ruled with his mother, Agrippina
at age 21, wanted to rule alone, had his mother murdered
o sinking boat, but she swam to shore
o Nero sent assassins to kill her
 she told them to “strike here first (womb) this bore Nero”
64 Fire swept through Rome
o many blamed Nero because he wanted to build a massive palace
o Nero needed a scapegoat for the disaster, blamed the Christians
 Christianity was a new religious sect
 unpopular because of their refusal to worship the emperor or Roman gods
 held secret, late night meetings
 Peter and Paul were in Rome
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68
“ARMY EMPERORS”
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69
got Rome out of bankruptcy
appointed good provincial governors
put down revolts in Gaul
began building of Flavian Amphitheatre (Colosseum)
Jews revolted against Roman rule
o Titus (son) was general fighting against Jews
o destroyed Jerusalem and 2nd Temple
 2nd Temple built by Herod around 37 BC
TITUS
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81
Galba, Otho, Vitellius were all killed in 68 by a different branch of the military
each appointed by difference branches of military
VESPASIAN
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79
Nero was 1st to persecute the Christians
o Christians were wrapped in animal skins and hung for wild animals to devour
o smeared with pitch and burned alive to provide light – “Human Candles”
o crucified
 their title and description of crime would be on cross
Nero’s lover, Poppaea Sabina, pushed Nero to kill his 1st wife
Later, Nero killed Poppaea Sabina (2nd wife) and unborn baby by kicking her in the stomach
when she was pregnant
Nero demanded $$ from the rich, they would bequeath their $$ to Nero then killed
o Nero became an “Enemy of the state”
68 Nero committed suicide at age 29 – “What a great artist dies in me”
called the “Delight of Mankind”
o ruled with “kindness and moderation”
o wanted to be loved by Romans
o one evening he remembered that he had bestowed no gift upon any one, and in regret
exclaimed to his friends, “I have lost a day.”
Mt. Vesuvius erupted destroying Pompeii/Herculaneum
80 Colosseum opened
o paid for by selling religious relics from Temple in Jerusalem
DOMITIAN
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Mr. Meier
brother of Titus
ignored the Senate
had no regard for Roman law
persecuted Jews and Christians
extremely paranoid
o had pillars in palace covered with white marble to see reflections behind him
loved to catch flies, stabbing them, pulling out their wings
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loved gladiator fights between women/dwarfs
hacked to death by members of his court, not the Praetorian Guard
Tacitus
“Emperors are like weather. We just have to wait for bad ones to pass and hope for good one’s
to appear”
96-180
“FIVE GOOD EMPERORS”
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96
NERVA
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98
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first emperor from a province
o Spain
expanded the arts
empire reached its largest size
HADRIAN
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138
Appointed by the Senate
began welfare program to help the poor
o gave away land
o included poor in public education
o continued by his successors
TRAJAN
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117
peaceful transfer of power
no one killed in office
Roman government expanded
trade and agriculture increased
Public Works Programs
”Greekling”
o loved Greek/Hellenistic culture
built ”Hadrian’s Wall” in Britain
o focused more on “civilizing” Romans than conquering
o – 73 mile wall – 15’ tall – 9’ ditch at base
o separating Roman Britain and Scottish in Britain
”Pantheon” – dedicated to all gods (today it is a Church)
o 150’ dome – largest for next 18 centuries
ANTONIUS PIUS
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Mr. Meier
exceptional character
hard worker
“a reign without events”
o uneventful, but given credit for it being uneventful
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161
MARCUS AURELIUS
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180
didn’t really want to become emperor, would have preferred being just a philosopher
ruled during a time of misfortunes
o Rome suffering from plague and famine
o Rome suffering from increased barbarian attacks along boundaries
Increased problems were blamed on Christians
o Increasing persecution against Christians
Stoic philosopher
o Focused on having good character and attention to duty
o wrote “Meditations”
180 AD “PAX ROMANA” came to an end
COMMODUS
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son of Marcus Aurelius
loved performing as a gladiator
o fought 735 times
 paying himself such a huge fee to fight that a new tax had to be levied
dressed like the “the Roman Hercules”
after Commodus discovered assassination plots – he began a “reign of terror”
o he would confiscate the land of the people he had killed
o his ”reign of terror” was becoming so out of control, that people within his own palace feared
for their lives and agreed that Commodus must be killed
o concubine, Marcia, tried to poison him, but wasn’t strong enough, just drugged him
o professional “wrestler” was paid to strangle him to death
 died New Years’ Day 192 A.D – HAPPY NEW YEAR
Dio Cassius
o “Commodus was a greater curse to the Romans than any pestilence or any crime”
After Commodus died – civil wars broke out for next 100 years
Restoring the Roman Empire
2 emperors were able to restore some stability to the empire:
>”Late Empire”
284 A.D.
DIOCLETIAN
TETRARCHY
Rule by 4
Mr. Meier
Diocletian
Constantine
>empire too large for 1 person to rule alone
>4 prefectures were grouped into 2 parts: East / West
=each empire had its own emperor
~Diocletian = East [was supreme ruler]
~Maximian = West
=each emperor had a “Caesar” (co-emperor) that would succeed to the position of
emperor
better succession
>Diocletian also tried to restore the supremacy of the Emperor [diadem = royal crown
signifying royal power]
>royal robe
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>officials kneel and kiss robe
>Senate stripped of power = became like a city council
>Diocletian issued an edict in 301 establishing maximum wages/prices
312
CONSTANTINE gained control of all the western part of the empire with his victory over Maxentius at
the Battle of Milvian Bridge
Constantine prayed to God before the battle and was given a sign “In this sign you will conquer.”
(cross in sky)
he won the battle and converted to Christianity – did not get baptized until the end of his life
313
Constantine issued the Edict of Milan  religious freedom
324
Constantine defeated the eastern Emperor, Licinius, at the Battle of Adrianople and became emperor of
all the Roman Empire
324
Constantine began the building of a new capital at Byzantium [later called Constantinople and is present
day Istanbul] == NEW ROME – “old Rome” too far away from vital areas of Empire in the East
>located at straits of Bosporus // Dardenelles
1)easier to defend [peninsula, walls]
2)stronger economic/prosperous area
3)stronger Christian center
policies of Diocletian/Constantine helped restore empire but the policies most times were based on coercion
2/27/380 A.D.
THEODOSIUS – made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire
Reasons for the fall of Western Roman Empire: [DARK AGES video]
**This was not a quick decline, but a slow, steady decline
A)Barbarian Invasions: groups being pushed west and south by the HUNS
Attila
“Scourge of God”
Attila said to have “sword of god” from god of war, Mars = invincible
Huns developed an excellent bow – excellent on horseback – shorter to pull it back
410
VISIGOTHS
Rome agreed to allow the Visigoths to live inside of Roman boundaries
Romans treated Visigoths badly
Visigoths rebelled and defeated the Romans
410 - Visigoth leader, ALARIC captured/trashed Rome
ALARIC had once fought for Rome, but turned on Rome when denied a promotion
451
Battle of Chalons – Huns – led by Attila
>Attila Defeated by alliance of Rome and Visigoths, “ticked” off Attila, so turned his attention to
conquering Italy
Mr. Meier
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452
“Scourge of God” met Pope Leo I who dissuaded him from sacking Rome
>according to legend there was a “miracle” – St. Peter and St. Paul appeared to Attila and
threatened him with instant death if he ignored Pope Leo I
453
DEATH OF ATTILA
DIED on the night of his marriage
ATTILA who was not a heavy drinker, got drunk
ATTILA passed out flat on his back
ATTILA had a massive nosebleed which caused him to choke on his own blood
455
VANDALS – Gaiseric [our use of the word “vandal” suggests the terror and destruction
associated with the Vandals
476
VANDALS – ODOACER defeated ROMULUS AUGUSTULUS – end of western Roman Empire
SO HOW DID THESE INVASIONS HURT ROME?
MILITARY PROBLEMS
• Barbarian Invasions
– Warmer climate
– Farmland
– Wealth
– Flee from the Huns
• Decrease in military power
– Training, discipline, lack of $$
• Hiring Mercenaries
– $$
– No patriotism
• Increased taxes to help pay for protection
Mr. Meier
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POLITICAL PROBLEMS
• No Set Succession Method
– Emperor, Senate, Praetorian Guard, Army
– In U.S., if president died (Lincoln, JFK) there
would be shock, but people would know there is
a method in place for replacement
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Poor leaders
“Power Fights” for throne
Corruption
Talented people chose not to serve due to
dangers of government life instead lived in
luxury
• Empire too large
ECONOMIC PROBLEMS
• Decrease in farming
– Barbarian raids
• Shortage of food
• Heavy taxation
• Decrease in Population
– Fewer people to tax
• Reduction in slave class
• Not enough “manpower” to work fields nor fight
against enemies
• Inflation
• Increase in bartering
Mr. Meier
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SOCIAL PROBLEMS
• Loss of Patriotism, Discipline, and
Devotion to Duty
• Large number of slaves
• Plague
• Famine
• Loss of confidence in government
Mr. Meier
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