Transcript Pax Romana
Pax Romana Roman Peace Begins with the rule of Augustus Caesar www.uoregon.edu/~arthist/arthist_204/monumentimages/primaporta_augustus. gif Defeats forces of Marc Antony and Cleopatra Solidifies power around 27 B.C. Becomes “Emperor of Rome” Pax Romana Economic Impact Established uniform system of money - expands trade Guaranteed safe travel and trade in empire – Army - Roman legions – Great road system - 50,000 miles of highway – Promoted prosperity Pax Romana Social Impact Returned stability of social classes Increased emphasis on family Pax Romana Political Impact Created Civil Service Developed uniform rule of law – 12 Tables Rulers of Pax Romana Julian Rulers (14-68 A.D.) Army Rulers (68-69 A.D.) Flavian Rulers (69-96 A.D.) Five Good Emperors (96180 A.D.) Julian Rulers All descendents of Julius Caesar Nero thepaolas.com/Emperors/Emperors/Scans/Nero.jpg Rules from 54-68 A.D. Good administrator but vicious – Responsible for many murders including his own mother – Rebuild Rome after great fire – possibly set by Nero to persecute Christians – Had Peter (crucifixion) and Paul (beheaded) executed Five Good Emperors Nerva (96-98) Trajan (98-117) – Rome expands to greatest extent Hadrian (117-138) – Solidified conquests and set up postal service – Hadrian’s wall Antoninius Pius (138-161) Marcus Aurelius (161-180) Barbaric invasions begin – Pax Romana dies with him Roman Empire Begins Decline Spiral starts after the death of Marcus Aurellius Fall of the Roman Empire Begins with rule of Commodus, Marcus Aurelius’ son Three Stages of Decline 1. 2. 3. “Crisis of the Third Century” – many economic, military, and political problems Time of revival – empire cut into two halves (Eastern half is strengthened but West continues spiral) Western half falls to Barbaric invaders Crisis Weakens Empire Contributing Factors Economic Decay Poor Harvests Disrupted trade (Barbarians) No more plunder from wars Gold and Silver drain Inflation Crushing tax burden Political Decay Political office seen as burden, not reward Military interference in politics Civil War and unrest Division of Empire Moving capital to Byzantium Military Decay Threat from Persians and barbarians Low funds for defense Problems recruiting Roman citizens – recruiting of Barbarians Decline of patriotism an loyalty among soldiers Social Decay Lack of interest in public affairs Low confidence in empire Disloyalty, lack of patriotism, corruption Contrast between rich and poor Immediate Causes of Fall Pressure from the Huns Invasion by Germanic tribes and by Huns Fall of Roman Empire (only a movement in reality) Conquests by Barbarians Sack of Rome Important Emperors of The Move Diocletian www.stephen.j.murray.btinternet.co.uk/diocletian.jpg Rules 284-305 Split empire in two parts – takes control of Eastern empire and names some else to rule the western half Tries to stop decline – somewhat successful wps.ablongman.com/wps/media/objects/262/268312/art/figures/KISH_07_149.gif Constantine www.mingyuen.edu.hk/history/5rome/03king/constantine.jpg First Christian emperor on Empire Reunites both halves of empire Moves capital from Rome to Constantinople (Byzantium) Theodosius Make Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire Invading Barbarian Invaders Goths (Ostrogoths / Visagoths) Franks Vandals Saxons Burgundians Lombards wps.ablongman.com/wps/media/objects/262/268312/art/figures/KISH_06_140b.gif Important Invaders Attila the Hun