Transcript Rome Empire Powerpoint

Roman Empire
World History
SOL WHI 6e, f, g
Essential Questions
• Why did the Roman Republic fail to survive
challenges by Julius Caesar?
• How did military conquests alter economic
and social life in Rome?
• How did an imperial monarchy come to rule
Rome?
• What was the Pax Romana?
Decline of the Republic
Spread of slavery in the agricultural system
Migration of small farmers into cities and
unemployment
Civil war over the power of Julius Caesar
Devaluation of Roman currency and inflation
Latifundia
Large farms
Slaves
Small land owners out of business
Move to Rome
Gap between rich and poor increases
Decline of the Republic
• Rome became crowded and riots between rich
and poor increased
• Values of the Republic such as simplicity, hard
work, and devotion declined
• Influx of gold and loot from conquered
territories devalued Roman currency and
created inflation
• Corruption and greed increased
Rise of the Empire
• Julius Caesar was a popular general and
politician who wanted to reform the Republic
and become emperor
• First Triumvirate – He formed a political
partnership with two other wealthy Romans,
Pompey and Crassus
• Julius Caesar took his army to Gaul and
conquered the territory of modern France. His
army was loyal to him rather than the Senate
st
1
Triumvirate
Julius Caesar
(assassinated 44 BCE)
Crassus
(killed by Parthians in 53 BCE)
Pompey
(assassinated 48 BCE)
Rise of the Empire
• The Senate, fearing Caesar’s power, ordered
him to return to Rome
• Caesar ignored the order and seized Rome
with his army
• Caesar kept the Senate and officials of the
Republic but he was named dictator for life
• Caesar was assassinated in 44 BCE in the
Senate
2nd Triumvirate
Octavian
(died 14 AD of old age)
Marc Antony
(suicide 30 BC)
Lepidus
(died 13 BC of old age)
Rise of the Empire
• After Caesar was assassinated his grand
nephew, Octavian, formed the 2nd Triumvirate
but eventually there was a civil war
• Octavian defeated Marc Antony in the civil
war and proclaimed himself Augustus Caesar
in 31 BCE
1st Triumvirate
Julius Caesar 48 – 44 BCE
2nd Triumvirate
Civil War (Octavian vs. Antony)
Augustus Caesar 27 BCE – 14 AD
Pax Romana
Pax Romana
• 200 year span from Augustus to Marcus
Aurelius is known as the period of the Pax
Romana or “Roman Peace”
• Roman rule brought peace, prosperity, and
unity
• Trade increased in the Mediterranean and over
the Silk Road
PAX romana
Established uniform system of
currency
Safe travel and trade
Promoted stability and prosperity
PAX romana
Developed uniform rule of law
Increased emphasis on the family
Created a civil service
Brought stability to the social classes
Roman law
Accused was presumed innocent until
proven guilty
Accused was allowed to face the
accuser and offer a defense
Judges interpreted the law and were
expected to make fair decisions