Download Ancient Rome - Enge Translations

The Roman Empire
By Joseph Enge
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I. Around 750 BC a small settlement
was established where the city of Rome,
Italy still is today.
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A. Rome's influence and control grew,
area by area, beginning about 500 BC.
Punic Wars
Hannibal
Hannibal & Scipio Meet at Zama
Defeat at Zama
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B. By 100 BC Rome
controlled almost
every land that
bordered the
Mediterranean Sea,
which they called
"Mare Nostrum" (Our
Sea).
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C. The Roman Empire reached to its greatest
boundaries about 100 AD.

D. Finally, 400 AD
(approximately)
marks the "official
end" of the United
Roman Empire.
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E. The years 27 BC
to 180 AD were the
period of "Pax
Romana", or "Roman
Peace." There was
peace and order
literally throughout the
far-flung empire
during these 200+
years.
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II. When the Roman Empire was at its
"peak" it controlled most of the world
known to "Western Civilization."
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A. The success of the Roman Empire involved several
factors.
1.
The Roman army was powerful and
well-organized.
2.
Roman representatives usually
employed skillful diplomacy.
3.
The Roman legal system was flexible
and efficient (written.)
4.
Government was handled efficiently.
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5 Infrastructure (roads, cities, aqueducts, etc.)
were
almost always improved.
6.
Conquered people were brought into
Roman society in various ways.
a.
some were given Roman
citizenship
b.
some were given full rights
c.
some were given certain rights
d.
most retained a lot of
independence
Roman Art & Architecture
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7. Public entertainment was provided.
a.
The Coliseum
b.
The Circus Maximus
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B. Eventually,
obviously, the Roman
Empire fell apart. This
happened over a
period of time longer
than 200 years
involving several
factors.

1. Between 37 AD and 476 AD (439 yrs) over
70 emperors ruled Rome (approx. 1 every 6
yrs., instability in govt.)
Augustus
Marcus Aurelius
Constantine
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2. Judea, the land of
the Jews, was terribly
mismanaged. High taxes,
harsh enforcement of
laws and, most of all,
interference with their
religion led to revolt
between 66 and 70 AD.
Emperor Hadrian
outlawed the Jewish
religion and renamed
Judea Palestine around
135 AD.
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3. Germanic people invaded parts of the
Empire, increasingly during the 4th and 5th
centuries AD.
a.
This not only cost lives and caused
disruption
b.
It also encouraged economic disasters:
balance of trade was destroyed
(imports exceeded exports)
c.
In 476 Odoacer, a German, became
ruler of Rome.

III. Some interesting and still famous people
were in power at times in Rome's history.
Cincinnatus
Sulla

A. Julius Caesar rose through the military, was
a dictator from 49 to 44 BC when he was
assassinated on the floor of the senate.

B. Mark Antony, once Caesar's chief lieutenant,
ruled with Caesar's adopted son and heir Octavian
for over 10 years. Antony fell in love with Cleopatra,
the queen of Egypt. Antony and Octavian fought
in 30 BC, both Antony and Cleopatra committed
suicide.Note: the Pax Romana soon followed.
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C. Caligula was a madman who killed many
people, including his sister, and appointed his
favorite horse senator.

D. Nero murdered his wife and his mother, and
very possibly started the fire in 64 AD that lasted
9 days and burned half of Rome.
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IV. Christianity is a religion founded in Palestine (then a
Roman province) based on the teachings of Jesus (who
was a Jew.)
A.
The New Testament of the Bible tells of his
life and teachings.
1.
He condemned violence and
selfishness.
2.
He encouraged brotherhood, love, and
caring
3.
His followers called him the Messiah
"anointed one", the leader who would
usher in the final judgment at the end
of time.
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B. Jesus was feared by the Romans; they
thought he encouraged
political turmoil. He
was condemned for blasphemy by fellow
Jews for proclaiming himself to be the Messiah.
C. Jesus was put to death by crucifixion around
33 AD on order from Pontius Pilate the Roman
Governor of Judea.
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V. Christianity gained believers during the 1st
century AD with the help of Paul and other
apostles (missionaries). And, so, the Christian
Church grew.
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A. The church became well organized at
about the same time that the government
of Rome fell apart.
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B. As Rome stopped doing the necessary
work of government, the church took over
responsibilities. It gradually became the
strongest force in the Western World.