Download The JulianClaudian dynasty was established by Augustus as the first

The Julian­Claudian dynasty was established by Augustus as the first
imperial dynasty of Rome.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE [ edit ]
Illustrate a timeline of events during the Julio­Claudian dynasty of Rome.
KEY POINTS [ edit ]
The Julio­Claudian dynasty was the first dynasty of imperial rulers of Rome, having ruled from 27
BCE until 68 CE.
Following nearly a century of civil war, Augustus carefully consolidated power under himself,
as imperator, and established the Pax Romana, an extended period of peace, prosperity, and
expansion throughout the Roman empire.
Reigning dates of the Julio­Claudians: Augustus 27 BCE—14 CE, Tiberius 14—37 CE, Caligula 37—
41 CE, Claudius 41—53 CE, and Nero 54—68 CE.
Nero's death in 69 CE plunged the empire into a civil war known as the Year of the Four
Emperors.
Nero built the Domus Aurea on appropriated land following the devastating fire in 64 CE. The
palatial structure was lavishly decorated and the Octagonal Hall demonstrates architectural
innovations available to architects and engineers when working with concrete.
TERMS [ edit ]
Imperator
A Latin word meaning "general" or "ruler"; a title given to triumphant generals during the
Republic.
Pax Romana
An extended era of expansion and relative peace that was established by Augustus and which
lasted into the second century CE until the death of Marcus Aurelius (27 BCE—180 CE).
Princeps
This title was given to Augustus in 27 BCE by the Roman Senator, signifying that he was first
among equals. It become a non­military title of the emperors. Latin for "first. "
Give us feedback on this content: Give us feedback on this content: FULL TEXT [ edit ]
Augustus
As the first emperor of Rome, Augustus
established the Julio­
Claudian dynasty that ruled Rome from
the end of the first century BCE until 68
CE. Augustus, originally known as
Octavian, was Julius Caesar's great
nephew and was adopted by Caesar as his
son and heir. Following Caesar's
assassination in 44 BCE, Octavian was
Register for FREE to stop seeing ads
thrust into a civil war with competing generals and Senators for power over the large but
unstable Roman empire. In 31 BCE, Octavian defeated his final rivals, Mark Antony and
Cleopatra, during a naval battle at Actium. In 27 BCE, Octavian took the name Augustus and
the title Princeps, which marked the beginning of his reign over Rome.
Following the defeat of his rivals, Augustus stabilized the empire, weak from nearly a century
of civil war. Because the idea of a single ruler or monarch was so despised by the Romans,
Augustus had to carefully consolidate power under his control. He succeeded in expanding
the empire and establishing an imperial rule that lasted for centuries. Augustus notably
negotiated peace with the Parthians and enacted civic and moral legislation to promote a
return to Republican morals and ideals of Roman virtue. During this time the arts flourished,
and Augustus actively patronized poets and artists.
Augustus and his wife, Livia, never produced a son, so Augustus initially named his
grandsons by his daughter Julia as his heirs and adopted them as his own sons. Augustus's
adoption by Caesar established the method succession used by the emperors throughout
Imperial Rome. The living emperor chose his successor through adoption of a son and heir.
In many cases the heirs chosen were not sons, but relatives or close comrades who were
groomed for the position. This method was supposed to secure peaceful succession, although
that was not always case. Unfortunately for Augustus, his chosen heirs, Gaius and Lucius,
died young and he was forced to accept his step­son, Tiberius Claudius, by Livia's first
husband as his adopted son and heir.
The Julian­Claudian Dynasty
Augustus' adoption of Tiberius incorporated the Claudian family into the dynastic line. The
succession of emperors from Tiberius through Nero occurred as planned through the chosen
adopted heir (typically a great­nephew), although each of these emperors died by
assassination or forced suicide. Tiberius reigned after Augustus, followed by Caligula ,
Claudius , and finally Nero . Augustus's successors are remembered more for their immoral
personalities and scheming families than for their artistic achievements or social­political
contributions.
Head of Nero
Portrait bust of Nero
Claudius
Portrait of Claudius (r. 41­52 CE). Marble, 41­54 CE.
Caligula
Bust of Caligula (r. 37­­41 CE)
Nero, the last of the Julian­Claudian line, was one of the most notorious emperors in Roman
history. He is remembered for his obsession with his own popularity among the masses,
public performances on the lyre, reciting poetry, acting, or participating in sporting events—
all activities considered scandalous behavior for an emperor . Nero chose suicide instead of
facing a public execution during an rebellion that sought to establish the general Galba as
emperor. The Senate declared Galba emperor following Nero's death in 68 CE; however, the
event sparked a civil war the following year as generals from around the empire vied for
power.
Nero, dressed as Apollo with a Lyre
1st century CE
The Domus Aurea
In 64 CE, a fire erupted in Rome and burned ten out of fourteen districts in the city. Nero
appropriated some of the newly cleared land for his own use. This land, located on the hills
east of the Forum Romanum, became home to his new palatial structure known as the
Domus Aurea, or the Golden House. Nero's complex included a private lake, landscaped
gardens and porticos, a colossal golden statue of himself, and rooms for entertaining that
were lavishly decorated withmosaics, frescos, and gold leaf. The surviving frescos provide
excellent examples of Pompeiian fourth­style painting, a fantastical style that
inspired Renaissance grottesche when portions of the palace were discovered at the end of
the 1400s .
Wall painting from the Domus Aurea
Wall painting from the Domus Aurea, 63­68 CE
Nero's architects and engineers, Severus and Celer, designed the Domus Aurea and
demonstrated some of the unique architectural shapes made possible through concrete
construction. An octagonal hall testifies to the architects' ingenuity. The octagonal room
stands between multiple rooms, possibly for dining, and is delineated by eight piersthat
support a domed roof with an oculus that lit not only the hall but also the surrounding
rooms. The octagonal hall emphasizes the role of concrete in shaping interior space, and the
use of natural light to create drama.