Homework: Pax Romana

How did Roman government change over

time?

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Pax Romana

The following text was originally published by the History Channel and adapted by Newsela.

Statue of Augustus Caesar in front of the bell tower of the Basilica of St. Apollinaris in Classe, in Ravenna, Italy

Age of the Emperors

After 450 years as a republic, Rome became an empire in the first century B.C.E. following the assassination of Julius Caesar. The long and triumphant reign of its first emperor, Augustus, began a golden age of peace and prosperity for nearly 200 years, known as the Pax Romana. He introduced various social reforms, won many military victories, and allowed Roman literature, art, architecture, and religion to flourish. Despite Augustus’s many reforms and strong leadership, the beginning of an empire meant that rule by the people was over. Under the authority of the emperor, the assemblies almost disappeared, and the Senate became less powerful. The Senate supported only the wishes of the emperor. Augustus held full authority, awarded by the Senate, and was given the ability to not only introduce legislation and veto laws but also to command the army. When he died, the Senate elevated him to the status of a god.

Unlike in a republic or a democracy, each new emperor was chosen by her edity [ the passing down of a title through family ties]. Therefore, for many years, future emperors were Augustus’s descendants, which included some less popular emperors. Nero was the last of Augustus’s descendants to rule Rome. He ruled from 54 to 68 C.E., but his spending on theater, feasts, and other excesses drained the Roman treasury and led to his downfall and eventual suicide. With the death of Nero, the line of © Success Academy Charter Schools 2019 2

Augustus had ended, and the Senate had to choose new leaders to become emperor. Four emperors took the throne in the year after Nero’s death. They attempted to reduce the wasteful spending of the Roman court, restore Senate authority, and promote public welfare.

Nerva was chosen by the Senate to take the throne in 96 C.E. This began another golden age in Roman history, during which four emperors took the throne peacefully: Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius. They expanded Rome’s borders to the greatest extent in history, solidified the empire’s frontiers, continued establishing internal stability, and set up administrative reforms.

The reign of Marcus Aurelius, from 161 to 180 C.E., however, was dominated by conflict, including war and the invasion of Germanic tribes from the north. Marcus fell ill and died near the battlefield at Vindobona (Vienna). He named his 19-year-old son Commodus as his successor.

The Roman Empire at its peak, 117 C.E.

Decline and Disintegration

The greediness and poor leadership of Commodus, who ruled from 180 to 192 C.E., brought the golden age of the Roman emperors to a disappointing end. He was killed by his own ministers, which sparked another period of civil war. During the third century, Rome suffered from a cycle of near-constant conflict. Twenty-two emperors took the throne, many of them meeting violent ends at the hands of the same soldiers who had lifted them into power. Meanwhile, threats from outside plagued the empire and used up all of its riches.

Adapted from newsela.com/read/lib-history-ancient-rome-empire/id/25543

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