Chapter 12 The Roman Empire 50-BC to AD 150

Cicero Cicero, a gifted philosopher and orator, wanted to make Rome a better place. He wanted the Romans to give the power to the Senate.

Julius Caesar

Pompey was a very powerful man in Rome Pompey was a very powerful man in Rome. He was also a very good friend of Caesar. He worked to fight against the Senate. He and Caesar would change the course of history. He would eventually work against Caesar, trying to take his power away from him. Pompey

Julius Caesar 100-44 BC Caesar was probably the greatest general in history. As a general he was becoming a very powerful figure in Rome. Worried that he was becoming too powerful, the Senate ordered him back to Rome to arrest him and take away his command. Caesar, knowing that this would be considered an act of war, in defiance, he marched his troops back to Rome.

Caesar Becomes Dictator Caesar seized power from the Senate and became dictator of the entire Roman Empire.

The Death Of Caesar A group of senators under the leadership of Brutus, a young senator and Caesar’s friend, murdered Caesar on, March 15th, also known as the Ides of March, 44 BC.

Marcus Junius Brutus Caepio 85-42 BC Young senator Friend of Caesar Leader of the group of Senators who murdered Caesar. Later committed suicide

Marc Antony (Marcus Antonius) 83-30 BC Assistant to Caesar Helped to punish those who murdered Caesar Married Cleopatra Battled Octavian for power and lost. Committed suicide so he wouldn’t be taken prisoner.

Augustus Gaius Julius Caesar (Octavian) 63 BC-14 AD Octavian, later called Augustus, was Caesar’s adopted son, because Caesar only had a daughter, named Julia. He, along with Marc Antony, worked to punish the people who had killed Caesar. He eventually became Emperor of the Roman empire. As a leader, he was considered one of Rome’s best.

Cleopatra 69-30 BC Queen of Egypt “Queen”of Julius Caesar Married Marc Antony Her bid to rule Rome with Marc Antony was defeated by Octavian. Committed suicide

The Vast Roman Empire

Hadrian (Publius Hadrianus) Joined the army when he was 14 years old. Great military leader. Was considered a good Emperor. Built Hadrian’s wall in Great Britain.

Hadrian’s Wall

Hadrian’s Wall Present Day

Hadrian’s Wall

Hadrian’s Wall

Roman Trade Routes

First 200 years of the Roman Empire were a time of general peace and prosperity. There was a stable government, an organized military, and no major wars or rebellions. It lasted until about AD 180. Pax Romana

Pompeii destroyed in 79 AD

Beautiful temples Chariot races were held here Palatine Hill Then

Chariot Race

Palatine Hill Now

Villas

Roman Roads

Galen

Roman Road in Great Britain Roman roads were built primarily for Rome’s military legions to travel throughout the empire.

Roman Road Construction

Roman Road Construction

More Roman Roads

Cement The Romans invented cement, a product that allowed their structures to last for centuries.

Roman Arches A Roman aqueduct

Roman Arch Construction

Vaults A vault is a set of arches that supports the roof of a building. The Romans used vaults to create a huge, open area within buildings.

The Colosseum

The Colosseum Today

Gladiators fought in the Colosseum

Roman Dome

Pantheon Present Past Present

Virgil… Wrote a great epic poem about the founding of Rome

Ovid…Wrote poems about Roman Mythology

Roman Theater An ancient Roman theater in France still used today

Romance languages developed from Latin and influence how people speak and write today. Modern languages are based on the Roman language France Spain Romania Portugal

And of course, Italy

Roman law inspired a system called civil law Roman law inspired a system called civil law. Civil law is a legal system based on a written code of law.