Download Chapter 14 Lesson 1

Chapter 14
Lesson 1
The Early
Empire
How did the Romans build a
peaceful and prosperous
empire?
Pages
430-435
• Caesar was the dictator of Rome after he
destroyed the Republic.
• He was wildly popular with the people of Rome,
but the Senate hated him and feared his power.
• The senators assassinated Caesar, stabbing
him at least 23 times. To assassinate means
to kill for political reasons.
• The senators thought that they were saving the
Republic, but it was never to return.
• 13 years of civil war followed!
Establishing Peace and Order
• The Empire of Augustus:
– The civil war ended with Julius Caesar’s adopted
son, Octavian, becoming emperor.
– Octavian took the name Augustus (respected one).
– Augustus continued the policies of Julius Caesar,
but he showed respect to the Senate.
– Augustus held the real power though.
• Order in the City:
– Augustus ruled for 41 years and greatly improved
the city of Rome and the empire in that time.
Establishing Peace and Order 2
• Growth in the Provinces:
– The empire was divided into provinces, or
territories.
– Each province was ruled by a governor who was
loyal to Augustus.
• The Pax Romana:
– Augustus’s reign began a 200-year period of peace
for the Roman Empire. Pax means Peace in Latin.
Ruling the Empire
• Augustus chose his successor, Tiberius.
• The Dynasties:
– Rome was ruled by families of Emperors for the rest
of its history.
– Some rulers were strong emperors who did great
things for Rome, but others were poor rulers who
either accomplished nothing or were killed quickly.
• Rebellion in the Provinces:
– Rome had to frequently put down rebellions in the
provinces of Britain, Gaul, and Judea.
Unifying the Empire
• Policies for the Provinces:
– Rome worked to unite all of the people in its empire.
• Rome-styled cities were built in the new provinces.
• Citizenship was granted to the conquered people.
• Rome allowed some level of local control to the
conquered people.
• Rome at its Peak:
– The period of the Pax Romana was the high-point
of the Roman civilization.