Download THE ROMAN EMPIRE: A BRIEF OVERVIEW

THE ROMAN EMPIRE:
A BRIEF OVERVIEW (CH 6)
OBJECTIVE: Analyze the decline of the Roman
Empire and the legacy it left for the world.
THE ROMAN EMPIRE
• At its height, the Roman Empire touched three different continents—Europe, Asia,
and Africa. Rome’s strong army allowed for its rise to greatness. For several
centuries, Rome brought peace and prosperity to its empire (treated conquered
people justly) before its eventual collapse.
THE BEGINNINGS OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE
• Latins, Greeks, & Etruscans battled for
control of the region that would become
Rome from about 1000 to 500 BC.
– Region chosen for fertile soil & strategic
location on Italian Peninsula in center of
Mediterranean Sea
Government
• Rome began as a republic, a government in which
elected officials represent the people.
– Twelve Tables: 451 B.C. officials carved Roman
laws on 12 tablets & they became basis for later
Roman law (citizenship = adult male
landowners)
– Government: elect 2 consuls, one to lead army &
one to direct government.
– Roman upper class chose Senate to make foreign
& domestic policy.
– Tribunes make laws for common people.
• Eventually, absolute rulers called emperors seized
power & expanded the empire.
REPUBLIC  EMPIRE
• The Republic collapses due to economic turmoil + military upheaval
 Julius Caesar takes control
There was a growing gap between rich & poor  soldiers were recruited by generals
offering land (replaced citizen-soldiers loyal to republic)
• Julius Caesar (military leader) + Crassus (wealthy Roman) + Pompey (popular
general) = triumvirate, group of three rulers, & rule Rome 59 BC  Caesar absolute
ruler
– Caesar’s reforms: granted Roman citizenship to provinces, public works
projects/buildings to help create jobs for poor
• Caesar was assassinated b/c senators were concerned over growing power 
Octavian takes over, titled Augustus, & the Roman empire was ruled by one man.
THE ROMAN WORLD
• Valued discipline, strength, & loyalty.
• Most lived in the countryside/worked farmers
• Slavery significant part of Roman life – widespread & important to
economy (property of owners)
• Government & religion were linked. Gods & goddesses were honored
in public worship ceremonies.
• Classes had little in common – rich lived extravagantly, but most
people struggled (unemployment, lacked basic necessities)
• Government provided free games, races, mock battles, and gladiator
contests to distract/control the masses (Colosseum = huge arena).
• Christianity emerged and spread in Roman Empire
– Accepted by Emperor Constantine, who ended the persecutions of Christians
313 AD  later becomes empire’s official religion
THE COLLAPSE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE
• Rome’s economy weakens: inflation was high
• Military & political turmoil: mercenaries were used instead of loyal soldiers
• Emperors attempt reform: Diocletian divides the empire because too large
& Constantine moves the capital from Rome to Byzantium
– Rome splits into Greek-speaking East (Greece, Anatolia, Syria, Egypt) &
Latin-speaking West (Italy, Gaul, Britain, Spain)
– Constantine reunifies empire under single ruler & moves capital from
western Rome to eastern Greek city of Byzantium for strategic trade &
defense purposes
• Byzantium  Constantinople (after Constantine) and becomes
protected by massive walls
– After Constantine, empire divides again; the East would survive & the
West would fall.
FALL OF WESTERN ROMAN EMPIRE
• Germanic invasions end Western Roman Empire
– Germanic peoples gathered along empire’s borders,
& coexist peacefully until Mongol nomads (Huns led
by Attila) invade from central Asia which pushed the
Germanic people (barbarians = non-Romans) into
Roman lands.
• Attila and the Huns fail at scaling the high walls of
Constantinople and head West. Famine & disease
push Huns back, but Germanic invasions
continue.
FALL OF WESTERN ROMAN EMPIRE
• Eastern half of the Roman empire survives Byzantine empire
– Preserves Greek and Roman culture—Rome’s cultural influence (ideas,
customs, institutions) continue to influence the development of Western
civilization
– Lasts until 1453 when it fell to the Ottoman Turks