Download The Julian-Claudian Dynasty

The Decline of Rome’s Empire
The Julian-Claudian Dynasty: Poisoned; Stabbed; Poisoned; Suicide
Tiberius
r 14-37
Caligula
r 37-41
Claudius
r 41-54
Nero
r 54-68
Flavian Dynasty, 69-96
Vespasian, sons Titus
then Domitian
Emperor Nerva
r 96-98
• He initiated the
adoptive system
to provide for
competent rulers
The Five Good Emperors:
•
•
•
•
•
Nerva, 96-98
Trajan, 98-117
Hadrian, 117-138
Antoninus Pius, 131-161
Marcus Aurelius, 161-180
The Empire at its height, c 250
The Pax Romana - “Time of Happiness”
• Fullfillment of Rome's mission – the creation of a world state that
provided peace, security and ordered civilization through the rule of
law.
– Smooth transition of power
– Spread of Greco-Roman civilization
– Built over 100 cities
– International commerce
• Rid the seas of pirates
• Goods circulated freely
– Infrastructure accomplishments:
• 53,000 miles of roads
• Improved harbors
• Cleared forests
• Drained swamps
• Built aqueducts, bridges, sewage systems, bath houses, public toilets,
ampitheatres etc
Marcus Aurelius, r 161-180
Commodus r 180-192
• His rule was one of
debauchery, paranoia
and insanity
• Had Rome renamed as
colonia Commodiana
• Believed he was
Hercules reborn
• Most infamous act:
slaughtered physically
handicapped people
dressed up as mythical
enemies of the gods
The Crisis of the 3rd Century
Anarchy and Disorder:
• From 235-285, there were 26 Soldier Emperors,
25 of whom died violent deaths
• Referred to as “Barracks emperors” their
power was derived from the military which sold
itself to the highest bidder.
• Military mutinies and civil wars replaced
protection of the borders.
Signs of trouble:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Internal unrest – poor, slaves, Gaul, Egypt & Judea
Slow transportation and communications
Landed nobility squandered wealth
Manual labor seen as degrading
Little incentive for innovation -10 million slaves
Govt kept grain prices low
Erosion of independent farmers accelerated
Overgrazing and Deforestation
Tide of rationalism gave way to mystery religions
Two Emperors who tried to contain the awesome
forces of disintegration:
• Both Diocletian (285-305) and Constantine (306-337)
faced the problem of threats to the borders from
the Germanic tribes and from Persia
• They also had to deal with the on-going, internal
economic crises that was eroding the high
standard of living which had characterized the
Pax Romana
Diocletian
• To insure production
of goods, farmers,
artisans and unskilled
workers had to hold
their job for life and
pass it on to their
children
• Fixed prices on all
goods grown or
manufactured
Diocletian, The Tetrarchy, 285-305
Constantine, 306-331
The first Roman emperor to embrace Christianity
In 324, Constantine moves East
The Germanic Tribes c. 362
Battle of Adrianople, 378
• Rome faced its worst defeat since the Battle of
Cannae (Hannibal)
• The Emperor Valens was captured and killed
The Goth cavalry was superior over the Roman
foot soldiers
• Significance: Rome could no longer secure its
borders against new tactics of warfare
Theodosius, 379-385 The last Emperor who could claim
to rule both East and West.
Upon his death, the empire was divided between his
two sons, Arcadius (East) and Honorius (West)
• 410 - Visigoth chief Alaric was the first non-Roman to control
the city in 800 years. He left in three days, after highlyorganized, but relatively non-violent looting.
End of an Empire: 476
• Romulus Augustulus, the last Roman
Emperor was deposed by a German
chieftain named Odovacer who claimed
the western crown for himself.
Rome’s last gasps…
Theodoric the Great 489-526
Ostrogoth king ruled Italy from
Rome… after killing Odovacer
• His rule was enlightened,
peaceful and just- praised by
Romans & barbarians.
• Retained the Roman Senate,
civil service and schools. Old,
aristocratic families still held
high positions in the
government
The real end of Rome… Germanic leader named Totila
• By 544 Totila had
established control
of northern Italy at
Ravenna.
• In 546, his Gothic
army sacked Rome,
destroying baths,
sewers, aqueducts,
temples and
government
buildings.