Transcript Unit #3 – The Romans

AP World History
POD #4
Mediterranean Democracy
Pax Romana
Class Discussion Questions
McKay – “Augustus’s Settlement”, pp. 152-159
1. What was the Pax Romana?
• Augustus restored peace bringing
prosperity to the Mediterranean world
• Augustus created a constitutional
monarchy
• Greco-Roman culture expanded into Gaul,
Spain, Germany, Eastern Europe, and
Western Africa
2. What reforms did Augustus (Octavian)
institute?
• Attempted to restore the republic after years of civil war
and anarchy
• Planned for the Senate to take an active role in this
process, but did not give it the power to complete this
task
• As a result of a weak Senate much of the burden for
governing fell to Augustus
• A constitutional monarchy was formed and by his
acquisition of titles and power he created the position of
Emperor
• Maintained a great deal of power as a commander fo the
Roman Army
• The army was made into a professional force creating a
reliable tool for the defense of the empire
• Created 40 new colonies that facilitated the spread fo the
Latin language and culture
3. How were the Roman provinces impacted
by the Pax Romana?
• Encouraged local self-government and respected local
customs
• Expanded into northern and western Europe (modern
Germany)
• The Roman Army built camps and barracks in these
newly acquired regions linking them with roads
• Settlements rose up around the camps – through this
process Roman culture continued to spread
• Most native people only adopted the elements of Roman
culture that fit their needs
• Most, however, realized that acceptance of Roman
culture brought with it political goodwill
4. What happened to the Roman Empire
after the death of Augustus?
• The principate was not an official office and could
therefore, not be legally handed to a chosen successor
• Augustus had previously begun sharing his tribunican
powers as Augustus on Tiberius creating the first Roman
dynasty
• Five Good Emperors (96-180 A.D.) – ruled wisely, fairly,
and humanely / created an era of peace and prosperity /
the emperor and his power was essential to holding the
empire together / Roman Army became stationary at
fixed points in the empire designed to repel invaders and
maintain order / Roman Army still had Italian officers but
the masses were made up of soldiers from the frontier
provinces / the army became indifferent to Rome and its’
traditions