Transcript The Pax Romana

The Pax Romana
The Roman Empire
Augustus Caesar aka – Octavian,
sets up Roman Empire in 27 BC after
defeating Marc Anthony.
Creates many reforms like:
 Civil service system – people of all
classes can have jobs.
 Set up uniform rule of law
 Guaranteed safe travel/trade on
Roman roads
 Created common coinage - make
trade easier.
 PRAETORIAN GUARD- Police of Rome
The Pax Romana
Augustus’ reign started 200 year period
known as Pax Romana – Roman peace.
27 BC to AD 180 was peaceful and
stable.
**ONLY INSTABILITY** was transfer of
power - law didn’t provide easy
succession of Emperors.
Awesome Augustus
(27 B.C. - 14 A.D.)
Often said Emperor
Augustus, “Found
Rome a city of brick
and left it a city of
marble.”
Unified and enlarged
Roman Empire using
imperial authority
and strong military.
http://www.unf.edu/classes/freshmancore/core1images/
augustus.jpg
The Julian Emperors
Augustus dies in AD 14.
4 emperors who follow are the Julian
emperors = all related to Julius
Caesar.
Tiberius
(14-37 A.D.)
Very unpopular
Known for
making poor
decisions and
for attacking
his enemies.
Said that ruling
Rome was like
“holding a wolf
by it’s ears.”
http://www.pbs.org/empires/romans/empire/tiberius.html
Crazy Caligula! (37-41 A.D.)
Caligula takes over
in AD 37.
Grand- nephew to
Tiberius
Brutal, corrupt,
mentally
disturbed
Names his horse to
be a consul.
Praetorian Guard
assassinated Crazy
Caligula in AD 41.
http://www.aeria.phil.unierlangen.de/photo_html/portraet/roemisch/kaiserzeit/benannt/caligula/caligu4.JPG
Crippled Claudius
(41-54 A.D.)
Paralyzed uncle of
Caligula takes over in
AD 41.
Very smart, great
leader.
His humility made
him very popular
Dies in AD 54
Stepson Nero takes
the throne
http://www.pbs.org/empires/romans/empire/claudius.html
Nasty Nero
(54-68 A.D.)
Got the crazy genes from
Caligula.
Had mother, wife, and
many senators
murdered.
Persecuted Christians
Neglected duties, became
fearful he would be
killed, and committed
suicide in AD 68.
http://www.pbs.org/empires/romans/empire/nero.html
Confusion and Chaos
In next year, 4 generals lead Rome
(“The Year of the Four Emperors”).
Vespasian eventually wins, starts
rule in AD 69. (rules for ten years)
Extends Roman citizenship to all men
in military.
Sons Titus and Domitian take over.
Vespasian
(69-79 A.D.)
Pivotal moment: The
first emperor not
related to the family of
Augustus, Vespasian
achieved imperial
power by the support of
the armies and via a
special law enacted to
confer authority on him.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/romespivotalemperors
_gallery_02.shtml
The Good Emperors
Good Emperors rule from AD 96- 180.
Include :
 Nerva – appointed by Senate, popular with
people, not with military
 Trajan - extended empire to its furthest
reaches
 Hadrian – Builds Wall across north Britain to
protect against invaders.
 Secured the Roman borders.
 Antoninus Pius
 Marcus Aurelius – Respected scholar
- His death in AD 180 ends the Pax Romana
Hadrian
117-138 A.D.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/romespivotalemperors
_gallery_03.shtml
Hadrian’s Wall
http://www.contours.co.uk/self-guided/images/hadrians-wall.gif
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/upload/img_400/hw_housesteads_03.jpg
Marcus Aurelius
･Born 121 AD
Reigned 161 180 AD
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/romespivotalemperors_galle
ry_04.shtml
http://skyscraper.f
ortunecity.com/qu
antum/773/fotos/g
ladiator6.jpg
Summary
“The emperor was what he did.”
Regardless of the strengths or
weaknesses of a leader, Rome still ran
fairly smoothly.
Many of the problems are rooted in the
fact that Augustus never set up clear
standards for succession of power.
The emperor answered first and
foremost to the military.
The End of the Pax
Romana
A succession of weak leaders and
civil wars follows as Rome begins
its slow decline.
Reflection
After learning about some of the
emperors, the Pax Romana does
not seem very peaceful? Why do
you think it carried that name?