Transcript Pax Romana

Bellringer: 2/1 & 2/2
• 1. Pick up the papers by the door.
• 2. Update your ToC:
– 90: Notes – Pax Romana
– 91: Postcards from the Pax Romana
• 3. Write down your HW:
– Read pgs. 148-152 in your ANCIENT
WORLD textbook and take notes
– Finish your Pax Romana postcards
Agenda: 2/1 & 2/2
•
•
•
•
1. Bellringer
2. Reading Check
3. Notes: Pax Romana
4. Activity: Postcards from the Pax
Romana
What was the Pax Romana?
• Starts in 27 BCE when Augustus became
emperor, ends in 180 CE
– He was the 1st emperor of Rome.
• The Pax (“peace”)
Romana was two
centuries of peace,
prosperity, and
achievements under
imperial rule.
From 27 BCE to 180 CE
The Julian Emperors
• Augustus dies in AD 14.
• 4 emperors who follow are the Julian
emperors = all related to Julius Caesar.
Julian Emperor #1. 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
Julian Emperor #2: 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.
• Assassinated in AD
41.
http://www.aeria.phil.unierlangen.de/photo_html/portraet/roemisch/kaiserzeit/benannt/caligula/caligu4.JPG
Julian Emperor #3: 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
Julian Emperor #4: Nero
(54-68 A.D.)
• Got the crazy genes from
Caligula.
• Had mother, wife, and
many senators
murdered.
• Persecuted Christians
• Paranoid, commits
suicide
http://www.pbs.org/empires/romans/empire/nero.html
Period of 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.
Roman Government
• Stable
government
– Roman legal
system
– Unified
administration of
justice
– Legions patrolled
borders
– Civil Service
– Postal System
Rome’s Economy
• Built roads all over Rome (trade
and moving the legions)
• Imported many materials
– EX: beef, corn, iron, lead and wool (from
Britain), marble, purple dye, spices, etc.
• Common currency, paid no custom dues
The Silk Road
Roman Achievements: Art
and Architecture
• Blended with Greek
designs
• Romans used Greek
columns (but more
elaborate!)
• Developed arches
and domes (from
Etruscans)
Roman Achievements:
Engineering
• Roads, harbors,
and bridges
• Aqueducts – bridgelike structures used
to carry fresh water
across long
distances
Roman Achievements:
Technology
• Hypocaust
– Underfloor heating
• Public Health
– Public Baths
– Sewer System
Society in Rome during Pax
Romana
• Roman culture spreads as Roman Empire grows via
conquest
– Non-citizens who fight for Rome? Become citizens after service
• Rome = had about 1 million people (and growing)
• Large gap between rich and poor still exists (rich live
lavishly)
• Slaves = about 1/3 of population in Rome
– Two major roles: Slave labor or work as gladiators
• Role of festivals
– Religious
– To distract people from Rome’s problems
– Involved free games, races, battles in Coliseum, etc.
YOU MUST INCLUDE
SPECIFIC HISTORICAL
INFORMATION ON EACH
CARD.
WHEN YOU INCLUDE A
SPECIFIC PIECE OF
INFORMATION ABOUT THE
PAX ROMANA, UNDERLINE
THOSE WORDS!
Roman Government:
Five Good Emperors
• 96 to 180 CE
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Nerva
Trajan
Hadrian
Antonius Pius
Marcus Aurelius
1. Nerva
 Emperor from 96-98 CE
 His reign brings stability to Roman
Empire
 “Adopted” an “heir” (Trajan)
 Trajan controlled German provinces =
adoption was also a military alliance
 Knew less about foreign affairs, military
 Repaired roads and aqueducts, Coliseum
2. Trajan
 One of the 5 Good Emperors
 Goal: maintain peace
 Forged cooperation between the Senate
and ruling classes
 Focused on citizens’ welfare, creating
building projects
 Called “Optimus Princeps” (best ruler)
3. Hadrian
 Emperor of Rome from 117-138 CE
 Goal: strengthen empire
 Started building projects
 Hadrian’s Wall
 Temple of Venus
4. Antonius Pius
 Emperor from 138-161 CE
 Served in the gov’t under Hadrian
 Completed Hadrian’s public works
projects, started small ones of his own
 Built a temple in honor of Hadrian
 Waged wars against the Britons, made
peace with peoples of the East
5. Marcus Aurelius
 Emperor of Rome from 161-180 CE
 A philosopher and an emperor
 Student of philosophy, wrote Meditations
(Stoicism)
 Fought conflicts against Rome’s northern
neighbors (Germans, Parthians)
 Expands borders
 Remembered for his writings and his rule