Transcript 3.10 The Pax Romana

The Pax Romana
CHW 3M
From the time of Augusta to the rule of Marcus Aurelius Rome would see 200 years without any major
conflict. This time period is known as the Pax Romana or The Roman Peace. During this time period Rome
would be ruled by many emperors, some good, some bad and some just plane mean.
The Julio-Claudian Dynasty
Tiberius (14-37AD)
• Augustus stepson
• tried to emulate Augustus but failed
• ruthless, corrupt and paranoid (power made this worse)
• unpopular with the Senate and citizens or Rome
Caligula (37-41AD)
• Tiberius great nephew
• brought up in army camps (little boots)
• though to be clinically insane
• assassinated by royal guards.
Claudius (41-54AD)
• Tiberius nephew
• crippled by childhood disease (many though he couldn’t rule Rome)
• tried to cooperate with senate and proved to be very capable ruler
• extend Roman territory
• provided grant money to citizens.
• poisoned (???) by 4th wife Agrippina
Nero (54-68 AD)
Claudius’ 16 year old step son, Nero, was now sole
heir to the thrown.
• mother Agrippina tried to influence her son
• in early year Nero gives power to senate
• kills mother
With his mother out of the way Nero was free to indulge his
every whim. For Nero this meant
• killing those he mistrusted
• appearing in public as a poet, musician, actor & charioteer
The Great Fire of Rome
In 64BC Tine was rocked by a huge fire. Nero was away
when it started and hurried back to help the Romans.
Because of his often bizarre conduct, rumours spread
through Rome that Nero started the fire He quickly
diverted attention away from him.
• blamed the Christians
• savagely killed 1000’s of Christians
Nero became more and more unpopular in Rome and
eventually killed himself in 68AD, with no heir. After Nero’s
death Rome was thrown into chaos and would be ruled by
four different emperors in that year.
The Flavian Dynasty
Vespasian (69-79AD)
• Roman army commander of Plebeian background
• brought stability and prosperity back to Rome
• overhauled tax system
•Increased provincial tributes
•Insisted on honesty in financial affairs
• crushed rebellions in provinces
One such Rebellion that was crushed was in Judea. The
temple was destroyed and its treasured carried to Rome
The Coliseum was
build under Vespasian
After Vespasian death’s his sons would become emperors
Titus (79-81AD)
• “the love and delight of mankind”
• extremely generous and popular
• died of fever
Domitian (81-96AD)
• extremely sadistic
• accused and killed many for treason
• persecuted and killed many Christians
• assassinated
The Five Good Emperors
Nerva (81-96AD)
• hand selected to be ruler by Domitian assassins
• ruled wisely and fair
• started new tradition
 emperor could be handpicked by successor
(didn’t have to be family)
Trajan (98-117AD)
• a Spaniard and first emperor of
provincial origin
• warrior empire  expanded
Roman territory to greatest
extent
• great administrator
• admired by every class
Hadrian (117-138AD)
• “most gifted emperor since Julius Caesar”
• accomplished builder, architect and surveyor
• immediately gave up territory Trajan conquered  hard to
control
• spent majority of later years touring Europe (keep troop moral
high)
By the end of the 200 years of peace, Rome’s army
would become lax and the Empire would become
strained. The Pax Romana would end during the reign
of Marcus Aurelius (117-138BC) who spent much of
his reign fighting the barbarian tribe who had
amassed outside Roman territory waiting for their
chance to strike.
Rome had 400 000 troops,
however this was not enough
for Rome’s ever expanding land
28
provinces
Augustus
Rome’s 200 year peace did however come at a high price
for the common man, as many civil liberties were lost.
100
provinces
Marcus Aurelius