Download Final Rome Notes for Students: Gladiators and Spartacus (73 BC on

Final Rome Notes for Students:
Gladiators and Spartacus (73 BC on Timeline) See Powerpoint
Caesar Augustus (27 BC on Timeline)
Augustus was actually born with the name of Octavian on 23 September 63 BC in Rome.
Once Octavian became a man, he began to get involved in the politics of Rome. Soon he wished to join his
Uncle Caesar (Julius Caesar) in battle. After a few false starts, he was able to join Caesar. Caesar was
impressed with the young man and, as he had no son of his own, made Octavian the heir to his fortune and
name.
Julius Caesar is Killed !
Upon defeating Pompey the Great, Caesar became dictator of Rome. Many people worried that this would be
the end of the Roman Republic. On March 15, 44 BC, Julius Caesar was assassinated.
Octavian was away from Rome when Caesar was killed, but he immediately returned upon hearing the news.
He found out that he had been adopted by Caesar as his heir. Octavian began to gather political support in the
Roman Senate as well as military support in the form of Caesar's legions. He soon was a formidable power in
the city and was elected to the position of consul.
Sharing Power in Rome – it wasn’t JUST Octavian……
At the same time, others were trying to fill the void of power left by Caesar's death. Marc Antony, a famous
general and relative of Caesar, thought he should be dictator. He clashed with Octavian until they agreed to a
truce. Together with a third powerful Roman named Lepidus, an alliance was formed where the three men
shared supreme power in Rome.
Battles
Eventually, these three men began to battle each other for power.
Ruler of Rome
Marc Antony was killed and with his death, Octavian was the most powerful man in Rome. In 27 BC the Senate
gave him the title of Augustus and he would be known by this name for the rest of his life. He became the ruler
and emperor of Rome. The basic government of the republic, such as the Senate and other officials, was still in
place, but the emperor had the ultimate power.
A Good Leader
When Augustus became emperor, Rome had experienced many years of civil war. He brought peace to the
land and began to rebuild much of the city and the empire. He built many roads, buildings, bridges, and
government buildings. He also strengthened the army and conquered much of the land around the
Mediterranean Sea. Under Augustus' rule, Rome once again experienced peace and prosperity.
The next 200 years were years of peace for the Roman Empire. This period is often called the Pax Romana,
which means "peace of Rome". Augustus is often given credit for this long period of peace. Augustus ruled up
until his death in 14 AD. His step-son, Tiberius became 2nd Emperor of Rome.
Constantine becomes Emperor (306 AD on Timeline)
Becoming Emperor - After the great fire, the building of the great Colosseum and the Roman Empire at it’s peak
in history, a man named Constantine became the new Emperor. When his father became ill, he named Constantine
as Emperor, or Augustus, of the western portion of the Roman Empire. Constantine then ruled over Britain, Gaul,
and Spain. He began to strengthen and build up much of the area. He built roadways and cities.
Constantine began to conquer neighboring kings with his large army. He expanded his portion of the Roman
Empire. The people began to see him as a good leader. He also stopped the persecution (bad treatment) of the
Christians in his territory. Constantine considered himself a follower of the Christian faith and eventually led the
way for Rome to become a Christian Empire.
What is Christianity?
The Christian belief believes in someone named Jesus Christ, who was crucified around A.D. 30 in Jerusalem. In
the story of Jesus, he is said to be the Son of God and came to earth to teach about love and fellowship. He is a
symbol representing the person that all Christians must strive to be.
So, Christians are people who believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and who follow his teachings and those
of the Christian churches that grew up after his death.Christians believe that Jesus rose from the dead and
appeared to his disciples (followers) to show everyone that there is another life with one, eternal, loving God.
The Splitting of Rome and the Byzantine Empire (395 AD on Timeline)
When the Roman Empire split into two separate empires in 395 AD, the Eastern Roman Empire became known as
the Byzantine Empire. The Byzantine Empire continued on for 1000 years after the Western Roman Empire,
including Rome, collapsed in 476 CE.
The Byzantine Empire ruled most of Eastern and Southern Europe throughout the Middle Ages. Its capital city,
Constantinople, was the largest and wealthiest city in Europe during the time.
Constantine
Emperor Constantine came to power as Emperor in 306 CE. He made the Greek city of Byzantium the capital of
the Eastern Roman Empire. The city was renamed to Constantinople, obviously after Constantine. Constantine
ruled as emperor for 30 years. Under Constantine, the Empire would thrive and become powerful. Constantine also
embraced Christianity which would become a large part of the Roman Empire for the next 1000 years.
Justinian Dynasty
The peak of the Byzantine Empire occurred during the Justinian Dynasty. Remember that a dynasty is a
succession of rulers passed down in the same family. In 527 Justinian I became Emperor. Under Justinian I, the
empire gained territory and would reach the peak of its power and wealth.
Justinian also established many reforms, or changes. One major reform had to do with the law. First, he had all the
existing Roman Laws reviewed. These laws had been written down over the course of hundreds of years and
existed in hundreds of different documents. He had the laws rewritten into a single book called the Corpus of Civil
Law, or the Justinian Code (which really consisted of 4 books of laws within this single book.)
Justinian also encouraged the arts including music, drama, and art. He funded many public works projects as well
including bridges, roads, aqueducts, and churches.

An Aqueduct is a kind of bridge that is constructed to convey water over an obstacle, such as a ravine or
valley. This water-filled bridge enabled boats, barges or ships on a waterway to cross over this obstacle.
Here is a picture of an ancient Roman Aqueduct.
Justinian’s best known project was
the Hagia Sophia, a beautiful and massive church
built in Constantinople.