Transcript Rome: capital of “THE GREATEST EMPIRE”

THE LEGACY OF ROME
How did ancient Rome influence our modern society?
Rome: capital of “THE GREATEST EMPIRE”
Roads “ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME” (signs w/distance)
Empire lasted 500 yrs. (27 BC – 476 AD) 50 million people
In what ways were these 50 million people connected?
• Connection = just roads? No way
• Roman law / Roman customs / Roman military
• 200 AD – Roman Empire spans the Mediterranean
world
Peaceful & prosperous
• 1 language / 1 law / soldiers protected borders
This will last forever. Or will it?
PROBLEMS IN THE LATE EMPIRE
Political instability: Choosing an Emperor
Problem w/ peaceful transition of power
Armies fought or Emperors chosen by Praetorian Guard
Economic or Social Problems:
Financing of armies = huge taxes for citizens
Taxes = weakened economy or poverty for many citizens
Unemployment high b/c wealthy used slaves (free labor)
Social Problems = corruption in gov’t & decline in the
spirit of citizenship (Nero/Caligula)
Weakening frontiers = huge size was hard to defend