7th – Notes: Chapter 1.1 I. Rome At Its Height A. The Pax Romana was a two century period of peace for the Roman Empire; by the 100s C.E., the Roman Empire has reached its height. The Roman Emperor was Caesar Augustus (Octavian). 1. Empire stretched from Britain to Egypt and Atlantic Ocean to the Mesopotamian region. 2. Mediterranean Sea referred to as mare nostrum, which means “our lake.” 3. Romans had an extensive road network to unite territories. B. The Romans ruled a multicultural empire that included Egyptians, Greeks, Syrians, Jews, Celts, and Guals. 1. The City of Rome was the center of the vast empire. (2 million residents) 2. Italy’s central location made Rome a site of encounter. 3. Romans had access to variety of goods and foods (i.e. silk, jewels, olive oil, medicines) C. Christianity was introduced and influenced Rome after the first century C.E. 1. Greek philosophy and literature were respected. 2. Greek architecture was adapted (i.e. domes and arches) a) The Colosseum was built for games and events b) Aqueducts built to transport water. D. Rome’s expansion slowed when it reached Northern Europe, and the empire’s income was reduced. 1.Empire relied on local elites in conquered areas. 2.Expanded regions were not usable for agriculture. 3.No longer able to conquer new lands. II. A Troubled Empire A. Marcus Aurelius was the last emperor who reigned during the Pax Romana. B. After the Pax Romana, Rome experienced a century of confusion and violence. 1. The army grew stronger as the government weakened. 2. Costs to soldiers were increasingly higher. a) Non-payments caused soldiers to turn on the emperor. 3.Civil wars broke out. a) Legions fought to put different emperors on the throne. b) Span of 50 years there were 22 different emperors (most were murdered by the armies.) C. Values of duty, courage, and honesty changed; support of education declined; many people stopped paying taxes; food shortages and inflation increased. 1.Dishonest government officials took bribes. 2.Citizens wanted to hold government positions. 3.Enslaved laborers large part of the empire’s population. D. Economic Weaknesses 1.Rome’s weakened government led to weakened economy during 200s C.E. 2.Roman soldiers and foreign invaders attacked farms and disrupted trade. 3.Food shortages; costs of food increased 4.People had less money to spend on goods 5.Many merchants lost business and even their jobs. E. Invasions 1.Germanic tribes attacked the western part of the empire 2.Persian Sasanian Armies tribes attacked the eastern part of the empire. 3.Rome hired Germanic soldiers. F. Diocletian was an army general who became an emperor 1. Tried to reform Rome, but failed. a) Made political changes b) Built forts c) Divided the empire into four parts; each had its own ruler d) Strengthen economy by setting prices on goods and wages 2.Made local officials collect taxes in their area. 3.Diocletian not strong enough to enforce his people. III.The Fall of Rome A.Constantine’s Rule 1. Reinforced Diocletian’s rules 2. Wanted stable workforce; sons worked in father’s trade. a) Sons of farmers farmed; sons of soldiers served in the armies. 3. In 330 C.E. moved capital to the Greek city of Byzantium (present day Turkey) a) City became known as Constantinople. B.After Diocletian’s death, Theodosius to power of Constantinople. 1. Made Roman Empire into TWO empires in 395 C. a) Western Roman Empire’s capital was Rome. b) Eastern Roman Empire’s capital was Constantinople. C.Germanic Invaders 1.Late 300s & 400s C.E., Germanic tribes migrated from Northern Europe into Roman territory. 2.Late 300s C.E., Huns entered Eastern Europe 3.Visigoths (Germanic tribe) asked Roman Empire for protection within their borders. a) Visigoths promised to be loyal and not attacked the Roman Empire. b) Romans treated Visigoths badly i.Charged them higher prices for food and goods ii.Enslaved some of their people c)In 378 C.E., Visigoths defeated Roman legions at Adrianople. d)In 410 C.E, Alaric captured Rome and looted the city’s government buildings and private homes. 4. Vandals were another Germanic group a)Attacked lands in Spain and northern Africa b)In 455 C.E, Vandals attacked Rome, seizing valuable and burning buildings. i.English word vandalism, meaning “the willful destruction of property” comes from the Vandals. D.Roman Emperor Forced Out 1. In 476 C.E., Germanic general, Odoacer took control of Rome’s government. a)Overthrew western emperor, Romulus Augustulus. b)Historians mark this event as the end of the Western Roman Empire. c)Odoacer controlled Rome for 15 years 2. The Ostrogoths attacked Rome and killed Odoacer. a)Leader Theodoric set up his kingdom in Rome. b)Other Germanic kingdoms arose throughout Europe. 3. By 550 C.E., Germanic-ruled territories replaced the Western Roman Empire. a) They adopted Roman culture i.Latin language ii.Roman laws iii.Christianity 4. Eastern Roman Empire became known as the Byzantine Empire a) Empire thrived and lasted nearly 1000 years. IV. Rome’s Legacies A. Rome’s Influence on Law and Government 1. Laws and justice of American legal system come from Roman ideas. a) Belief that everyone is equal under the law b) Person considered innocent until proven guilty. c)Judges decide cases fairly. 2. Citizenship was essential part of Roman life. 3. Today, we believe that citizens should vote, participate in their government, and help improve their communities. B. Rome’s Cultural Impact 1. Roman art known for being realistic. 2. Romans borrowed/modified Greek philosophy of Stoicism (live in a practical way). 3. Roman philosophers, Epictetus and Seneca produced works on Stoicism and ethics. 4. Western countries used the Latin alphabet, languages derived from Latin, and many English words have Latin roots. 5. Romans continue to influence literature we read. 6. Architecture has influenced government buildings in Washington D.C. a) Many capital cities use domes and arches. b) Concrete is still a major building material used today. A. Ancient Rome and Christianity 1. Christianity is a major world religion. 2. Adopted by Roman emperors in 300s C.E. 3. Christianity spread by the Roman road system. 4. Christianity remained after the Western Roman Empire and continues to attract new believers. V. Three Main Reasons for the Collapse of Rome A. Political Confusion 1. Civil Wars 2. Power shifts between government and the army 3. Dishonest government officials 4. Refusal to pay taxes B. Economic Weaknesses 1.Disruption in trade 2.Food shortages 3.Soaring food prices 4.Loss of profits and jobs 5.Inflation C.Invasions 1.Germanic soldiers hired to protect the empire from invasions had no loyalty to the empire.