Transcript Roman Emperors - Lincoln High School

Roman
Emperors
(During the Pax Romana)
Augustus Caesar to Marcus Aurelius
( 27 B.C. - 180 A.D. )
Augustus Caesar
(27 B.C.-14 A.D.)
• Launched morality crusade
• Major patron of the arts &
building
• 1st census (5,000,000)
(organize, tax, etc.)
• Created the Praetorian Guard
• Created “Ministry of Transport”
Tiberius
(14-37)
• Stepson of Augustus: Succession?
• First to Persecute Christians
(Christ)
• Very Paranoid: Treason Trials
• Ruled from Capri (Med. Island)
• Depressed in Later Years
• Very unpopular: Never Deified
Caligula
(37-41)
• Name means “little boots”
• Traumatic youth
• Insane!!
– Horse / spoils / treasury / god!
• Hated by Senate
• Assassinated by own guard at age 30
Claudius
(41-54)
• Chosen Emperor by
Caligula’s guard
• Unlikely emperor
• Great builder
• Reformed law, courts, religion
• Conquered south Britain
th
• Elaborate security (4 wife)
Nero
(54-68)
• Age 17
• 64 AD “Great Fire”
(blamed Christians)
• Considered himself a great
artist, performer & athlete
• Killed stepbrother, mom,
aunt and two wives
• Was hated by Senate, army,
provinces, guards & family
• Forced Suicide
Year of 4 Emperors
(68 – 69)
1.
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3.
4.
GalBA (Killed by senate)
Otho (Suicide)
Vitellius (Murdered by opposition)
And…
Vespasian
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(69-79)
Military declared him emperor
Led simple life (“mulio”)
Building projects (Colosseum)
Conquered Judea / Jerusalem
• “normal” death (fever)
TITUS
(79 – 81)
• First “true” son to become
emperor
• Became well-loved
• Triumphal arch
• Vesuvius (79) & 2nd Rome fire (80)
• Fever or poison?
• First to hand power to brother
Domitian
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(81-96)
Began “Cult of Domitian”
Expanded gladiator shows
Ruined the economy
Notorious womanizer (niece)
Removed all power from Senate
Killed at “noon”
Nerva
(96-98)
• Chosen by Senate (no threat)
• Dominated by all parties (held
hostage)
• Tried to please (Senate, army)
• Last full Italian emperor
• Chose his successor
Trajan
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(98-117)
First non-Italian
Great general
Largest empire
Personal desires
(wine / boys)
Monument building
(column)
Bestowed title optimus
Hadrian
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(117-138)
Extensive Traveler
Fortified the empire (Britain)
Codified Roman law
Extensive builder
The Pantheon
Set fashion (beard)
Antoninus PIUS
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(138-161)
Peaceful reign
Well-loved
Granted title Pius
Sent first embassy to China
Well managed empire (treasury)
Ideal leader?
Marcus Aurelius
(161-180)
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First to share his reign (Verus)
“Philosopher-King”
Successful military commander
Spoiled son (Commodus from movie)
Last emperor of Pax Romana
END OF
PAX ROMANA
1 of next 40 emperors dies naturally!!
30 are assassinated or commit suicide
(100 years)