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The Roman Empire “I came. I saw. I conquered.” Veni, vidi, vici ---Julius Caesar At its height, the Roman Empire covered over two million square miles stretching from the Rhine River to Egypt and from Britain to Asia Minor. (roughly the size of the U.S.) The population of the Empire was at least 70 million and may have been in excess of 100 million. The city of Rome itself was home to more than 1 million inhabitants. ) Ancient Romans spoke Latin, which in turn, has influenced many of today's languages that include French, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese. According to legend, Rome was founded by Remus and Romulus, two brothers suckled by a she-wolf. Romulus killed Remus and named the city after himself. The Roman Republic was governed by Elected Consuls, the Senate, and the Plebian Council, which was a popular assembly. The Senate consisted of the wealthier Romans, while the Plebian Council represented the working classes. Rome contained a senate of three hundred senators, who served for life. The spread of Christianity was greatly helped by the infrastructure of Roman roads and the use of a universal language—Latin, of course. The Roman Republic and Empire chapter 6-2 As Rome enlarged its territory, its republican form of government grew increasingly unstable. Rome later formed a dictator-ruled empire There was a growing discontent among the lower classes of society. Gap between rich and poor grew. Rome’s rich landowner’s lived on huge estates. Slaves work these estates (By 100 B.C. enslaved made up around one-fourth of Roman society). Two brothers, Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus, tried to help Rome’s poor. They proposed reforms like limiting the size of estates and giving land to the poor. Both met violent deaths. A period of civil war followed their deaths. Generals began seizing greater power for themselves. Soldiers recruited from the landless poor by promising them land. In 60 B.C., Julius Caesar joined forces with Crassus (wealthy Roman) and Pompey (popular general married to Caesar’s daughter) and takes control. For ten years they dominated Rome as a triumvirate, a group of three rulers. Crassus dies 53 B.C. During 58-50 B.C. Caesar led his legions in a campaign to conquer Gaul (modern day France). His successes made him very popular with the people of Rome. Caesar defeated Pompey’s troops in Greece, Asia, Spain and Egypt. In 46 B.C. he returned to Rome. Pompey dies in Egypt. Power struggle in Egypt, Caesar sides with Cleopatra. They begin a relationship she bears him a son, Caesarion. She comes back to Rome. In 44 B.C. Caesar was named dictator for life. He granted citizenship to many people in the provinces. He helped the poor by creating jobs through the construction of new public buildings. He increased pay for soldiers and started colonies where people without land could own property. Worried about his growing power, and hoping to restore the constitutional government of the Republic, on March 15, 44 B.C., he was stabbed to death in the senate chamber. Civil War broke out after Caesar’s death. Caesar’s grandnephew, Octavian, joined with Mark Antony and an powerful politician named Lepidus. In 43 B.C. they took control of Rome and ruled for ten years. While leading troops against Rome’s enemies in Anatolia, Mark Antony met Queen Cleopatra of Egypt and fell in love with her and followed her to Egypt. Octavian defeated the combined forces of Antony and Cleopatra at the naval battle of Actium in 31 B.C. and Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide. CLEOPATRA Octavian accepted the title of Augustus or “exalted one.” Rome was now an empire ruled by one man. Rome’s power was at its peak from 27 B.C. to A.D. 180. For 207 years peace reigned throughout the empire. This period of peace was known as Pax Romana.—Roman Peace Augustus was Rome’s ablest emperor. He stabilized the frontier, glorified Rome with splendid public buildings, set up a civil service (paid workers to manage the affairs of government). The Romans managed an empire that by the second century A.D. reached from Spain to Mesopotamia, from North Africa to Britain. Agriculture was the most important industry in the empire. 90 percent of the people were engaged in farming. A silver coin called a denarius was used throughout the empire making trade easier among different parts of the empire. The Roman World Rome emphasized the values of discipline, strength and loyalty. A person with these qualities was said to have gravitas. They honored strength more than beauty, power more than grace and usefulness more than elegance. Slavery and captivity Slavery was widespread and important to the economy. Numbers of slaves many have reached as high as one-third of the total population. Most slaves were conquered peoples brought back by victorious Roman armies. Children born to slaves also became slaves. Slaves could be bought and sold, punished, set free or put to death as their masters saw fit. Some healthy male slaves were forced to become gladiators or professional fighters. Some slaves rebelled—more than a million slaves lost their lives attempting to gain their freedom. Society and Culture Classes had very little in common The rich live extravagantly while the people in Rome barely had the necessities of life. Much of the city’s population was unemployed and government supported these people with daily rations of grain. To distract and control the masses of Romans, the government provided free games, races, mock battles, and gladiator contests. By A.D. 250, there were 150 holidays a year. On these celebrations, the Coliseum could hold 50,000. Wild creatures brought from other lands (tigers, lion, bears) would fight to the death. The Rise of Christianity Summarize the life of Jesus Born sometime around 6 to 4 B.C. in the town of Bethlehem. Raised in Nazareth Baptized by the prophet known as John the Baptist. At the age of 30 starts public ministry. Taught, preached and performed miracles for three years. Emphasized God’s personal relationship to each human being Stressed the importance of peoples love for God, neighbors, their enemies, and even themselves. Said that God would establish an eternal kingdom for people who sincerely repented their sins. Attracted large crowds Had a special appeal to the poor because he ignored wealth and status. (Blessed are the meek…) Growing popularity concerned Roman and Jewish leaders AD 29, Jesus visited Jerusalem and was greeted as a Messiah or king. Chief Priest of the Jews denied that Jesus was the Messiah Pontius Pilate, Roman governor, accused Jesus of defying Roman authority. Pilate arrested Jesus and sentenced him to be crucified. After Jesus’ death, his body was placed in a tomb. According to the Gospels, three days later his body was gone and a living Jesus began appearing to his followers. According to the Gospels, Jesus ascended into heaven. Trace the Spread of Christianity in the Roman Empire Jesus’ teachings did not contradict Jewish law and his first followers were Jews. Believing that Jesus triumphed over death, his followers continued to spread his ideas. Paul, a Jew, had a vision of Jesus (he had never met him). Spent the rest of his life spreading and interpreting Jesus’ teachings. The Pax Romana made travel and exchange of ideas fairly safe provided the ideal conditions for Christianity to spread. Common languages—Latin and Greek—allowed the message to be easily understood. Paul wrote letters, called Epistles Paul stressed that Christianity should welcome all converts, Jew or non-Jew. Analyze Christianity’s appeal Christianity embraced all people—men and women, enslaved persons, the poor, and nobles Gave hope to the powerless Appealed to those who were repelled by the extravagances of imperial Rome; Offered a personal relationship with a loving God; Promised eternal life after death The Gospels The only real sources about the life and teachings of Jesus are the Gospels of the New Testament. Mark (written A.D. 60-80) is the earliest. Matthew, Luke and John (written A.D.7590) are later Evidence also found in the letters of Paul (written A.D. 50)