The Roman Empire World History/Napp

The Roman Empire World History/Napp “Rome’s increasing wealth and expanding boundaries brought many problems. The most serious were growing discontent among the lower classes of society and a breakdown in military order. As Rome grew, the gap between rich and poor grew wider. By 100 B.C., enslaved persons formed perhaps one-third of Rome’s population. Small farmers found it difficult to compete with the large estates run by the labor of enslaved people. Many of these farmers were former soldiers. A large number of them sold their lands to wealthy landowners and became homeless and jobless. Adding to the growing turmoil within the republic was a breakdown of the once-loyal military.

As the republic grew more unstable, generals began seizing greater power for themselves. They recruited soldiers from the landless poor by promising them land. These soldiers fought for pay and owed allegiance only to their commander. They replaced the citizen- soldiers whose loyalty had been to the republic. It now was possible for a military leader to take over by force. In 60 B.C., a military leader named Julius Caesar joined forces with Crassus, a wealthy Roman, and Pompey, a popular general. With their help, Caesar was elected consul in 59 B.C. For the next ten years, these men dominated Rome as a triumvirate, a group of three rulers. By 46 B.C., the senate appointed him dictator. In 44 B.C., he was named dictator for life. Many nobles and senators expressed concern over Caesar’s growing power, success, and popularity. Some feared losing their influence. Others considered him a tyrant. A number of important senators, led by Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius, plotted his assassination. On March 15, 44 B.C., they stabbed him to death in the senate chamber.

After Caesar’s death, civil war broke out again and destroyed what was left of the Roman Republic. Three of Caesar’s supporters banded together to crush the assassins. Caesar’s 18-year-old grandnephew and adopted son Octavian joined with an experienced general named Mark Antony and a powerful politician named Lepidus. In 43 B.C., they took control of Rome and ruled for ten years as the Second Triumvirate. Their alliance, however, ended in jealousy and violence. Eventually, Octavian became emperor of Rome.

While Octavian restored some aspects of the republic, he became the unchallenged ruler of Rome. Eventually he accepted the title of Augustus, or “exalted one.” He also kept the title imperator, or “supreme military commander,” a term from which emperor is derived. Rome was now an empire ruled by one man.” ~ World History

Identify and explain the following terms: Reasons for Discontent in the Roman Republic Julius Caesar Civil War Octavian Augustus Caesar Emperor

- Why did the Roman republic collapse?

- How did imperial Rome (emperor and empire) differ from the Roman Republic?

- Did Rome’s expansion give rise to the republic’s demise or end? Explain your answer. Pax Romana Roman Society Culture - From the beginning of - About 90 percent of the - The Romans made more Augustus’s rule in 27 B.C. to people in the empire were use of slaves than any A.D. 180, 207 years of peace engaged in farming previous civilization reigned throughout the empire - Additional food and luxury - Numbers of slaves may items for the rich were have reached as high as one- - This period of peace and obtained through trade third of the population prosperity is known as the Pax Romana or “Roman - In Augustus’s time, a silver - Most slaves were peace” coin called a denarius was in conquered peoples brought use throughout the empire back by victorious Roman - The Romans held their vast armies and included men, empire together in part - Having common coinage women, and children through efficient made trade between government and able rulers different parts of the empire - The earliest Romans much easier worshiped powerful spirits - Augustus was Rome’s or divine forces, called ablest emperor - Rome had a vast trading numina, that they thought network resided in everything around - He stabilized the frontier, them glorified Rome with splendid - Ships from the east public buildings, and created traveled the Mediterranean - Closely related to these a system of government that protected by the Roman spirits were the Lares, who survived for centuries navy were the guardian spirits of each family - He set up a civil service or - A complex network of he paid workers to roads linked the empire to - The rich lived manage the affairs of such far-flung places as extravagantly but most government, such as the Persia and southern Russia people in Rome barely had grain supply, tax collection, the necessities of life and the postal system - These roads were originally built by the Roman army for - To distract and control the - Although the senate military purposes masses of Romans, the still functioned, civil government provided free servants drawn from - The Romans were a games, races, mock battles, plebeians and even former practical people and gladiator contests slaves actually administered the empire - They honored strength - By A.D. 250, there were more than beauty, power 150 holidays a year; on these - After Augustus died in more than grace, and days of celebration, the A.D. 14, the system of usefulness more than Colosseum, a huge arena government that he elegance that could hold 50,000, established maintained the would fill with the rich and empire’s stability the poor alike Identify and explain the following terms: Pax Romana Civil War Roman Roads Common Coinage Importance of Trade Importance of Mediterranean Sea Slavery in the Roman Empire Numina Lares Colosseum Gladiator

- What were the accomplishments of Augustus Caesar?

- Why was the Roman Empire a long-lasting and for many centuries, a successful empire?

- Describe Roman culture and society.

- Roman Emperors ruled for life. - The only way to remove a bad emperor was assassination.

Analyzing the chart above:

- Why were many Roman emperors assassinated?

- What problems arise when an emperor rules for life?

- Should an emperor rule for life? Explain your answer. - From what three continents did trade goods come to Rome?

- Which goods were supplied by all three areas?

- Why was control of the Mediterranean Sea vital for the Roman Empire’s success?

- How did Rome’s expansion place burdens on the empire?

Augustus’s government was Julius Caesar’s enemies assassinated him A) A republic disguised as a monarchy. because B) A monarchy disguised as a republic. A) they were angry with him for his C) An oligarchy disguised as democracy. military failures in Gaul D) A democracy disguised as an empire. B) they feared he planned to make himself E) An empire disguised as a democracy. king of Rome C) they were opposed to his expansion into The Pax Romana was other lands A) a time of conflict and civil war in the D) they were fearful when he refused to Roman Empire disband his army B) a time of peace in the Roman Empire C) a time of increase republicanism D) a time of egalitarianism