Pax Romana CHAPTER OUTLINE the New Imperium Augustus, The
Chapter Six: Pax Romana CHAPTER OUTLINE The New Imperium Augustus, the First Citizen Emperors Good and Bad: Augustus to the Severi Inside the Imperial Monarchy Upper Classes and Other Classes Senators and Equestrians Wives, Mothers, and Children Freedmen, Slaves, and the Poor The Culture of Imperial Rome Buildings and Waterways A City, an Empire, a World Roman Literature in Florescence and Decay Holding the Frontier Defending the Boundaries Redefining the Army Managing the Crisis Constantine s City and The City of God CHAPTER SUMMARY The leadership of Octavian, called Augustus, led to a period of unprecedented prosperity and peace for the Roman people. Octavian established his authority gradually, eventually receiving an oath of allegiance from all Italians. While claiming toreestablish the republic, in reality Augustus was creating a new government for Rome, that of a monarchy. Augustus insisted that the Senate convene, that they vote on bills and help to pass laws, and that he was only the first citizen, not an autocratic ruler. A casual observer in the first years of Augustus reign might have agreed, but it did not take long for it to be apparent that in fact, Augustus was an absolute monarch in all but name. His reign was a successful one in most areas, but both of his designated successors predeceased him, and he was forced to name his stepson, Tiberius, as his heir. Tragically, Augustus successors proved far less capable than he had been. Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero all proved to be weak and, in some cases, dangerous leaders. Tiberius was not popular and was one of the few emperors not deified after his death.
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