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Roman Empire
Pax Romana to
The Fall of the West.
27 B.C. – 476 A.D.
Pax Romana (27 B.C. – 180 A.D.)
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Pax is the Latin word for peace. Though wars were fought on the borders in defense of the
empire, for 207 years the people within Rome’s borders enjoyed peace and prosperity.
During this period Rome also made advances in architecture, literature, philosophy and law.
Augustus, “Found Rome brick and left it marble.”
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A silver coin, the denarius, circulated as common coinage throughout the empire.
Augustus ended taxation between provinces creating one great economic cell.
Created the civil service, loyal, salaried, experienced workers who administered Rome’s
grain supply, road repairs, postal system and all the other work of running the empire.
An estimated 250,000 soldiers guarded the empire at Augustus’ death. Although the number
increase under later emperors, the total number of Roman soldiers probably never exceeded
500,000.
Trajan, grew the empire to its’ greatest size.”
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The border of the empire extended approximately 10,000 miles encompassing an area of 3
million square miles (approximately the size of the United States).
At its’ height the Roman Empire ruled between 70-90 million people.
10,000 cities.
180,000 miles of roads.
It took at least ten weeks traveling at top speed to cross the empire.
Pax Romana (27 B.C. – 180 A.D.)
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The city of Rome was considered the most spectacular tourist attraction of
the ancient world.
– The city of Rome was the first city to have a population of 1 million.
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Using cement Romans were able to affix marble to stone building
increasing their majesty with adding relatively little to their cost.
Also using cement, Romans were able to build the dome.
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10,000 Statues
700 Public Baths and Basins.
500 Fountains
37 Monumental Gates
36 Marble Arches
Poured on forms on the ground domed roofs could be hosted to the tops of
Roman buildings.
The temple of the Pantheon is the most famous example of this architectural
achievement.
Many visitors went home and tried to imitate Rome’s splendor.
Julio-Claudian Dynasty
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Tiberius( 14-37)
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Caligula (37-41)
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mentally disturbed
assassinated after short, brutal reign.
Claudius (41-54)
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a good administrator;
improved provincial government and the empire's tax system
later years marked by wholesale treason trials and executions.
considered slow-witted as a child but became an able, intelligent emperor;
added Britannia to empire
set up government departments for accounts, correspondence, and justice
Nero (54-68)
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Became emperor at 16
devoted to the arts
a good administrator but increasingly vicious in his use of power
responsible for many murders, including that of his own mother
rebuilt Rome after the great fire Of A.D. 64
began persecution of Christians
committed suicide.
Flavian Dynasty
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Flavian dynasty
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Vespasian (69-79)
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Titus (79-81)
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ended civil war of A.D. 69
restored empire's finances
reformed army
opened Coliseum
reign marked by the eruption of Vesuvius that destroyed Pompeii and
Herculaneum
Domitian (81-96)
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ruled dictatorially but efficiently
later feared treason everywhere and executed many
eventually assassinated
Five Good Emperors
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Nerva (96-98)
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Trajan (98-117)
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Consolidated earlier conquests rather than adding new lands
reorganized bureaucracy and set up postal service
traveled throughout empire.
Antoninus Pius (138-161)
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Spanish-born (first emperor from provinces)
conquered Dacia (Romania)
empire reached its greatest extent during his rule
Hadrian (117-138)
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Senator, appointed emperor by senate;
Began custom of adopting heir.
Uneventful reign marked by public works and expanded programs for education and
child welfare
army declined.
Marcus Aurelius (161-180)
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Faced widespread barbarian invasions on Syrian and Danube frontiers
wrote philosophic work, Meditations
Pax Romana ended with his death.
Economic Decline
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wealth brought to Rome through conquest creates an increasing
gap between the wealthy and ordinary citizen
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a surplus of agricultural goods in Italy results from greater
economic self-sufficiency in the provinces (Gaul, Spain, North
Africa)
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Government addresses problem by controlling (limiting) production or
subsidizing consumers
Commercial prosperity based on trade over well defended Rome
routes
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Wealthy citizens begin purchasing exotic foreign goods creating a
significant imbalance in trade
Poorly defended borders hampered trade/tax revenue.
Little industry and taste for eastern luxuries squandered wealth.
Devaluing currency and cost of trade cause severe inflation.