1. The Roman Empire (27 B.C. – A.D. 476)
Octavian becomes Caesar Augustus.
Emperor for life
He commands the entire Roman army
New empire is very large.
Nearly 100 million people came under Roman rule

3. Pax Romana – Roman Peace
Lasts for 200 years
Free trade – Romans could trade with anyone in the Empire
Fair laws
Laws apply the same to everyone in the empire – not just Romans
Innocent until proven guilty
Augustus dies in A.D. 14

4. Tiberius Tiberius is Rome’s second emperor Adopted son of Augustus
One of Rome’s greatest military generals
He never really wanted to become emperor

5. Caligula He was an insane tyrant He was assassinated
He would appear in public dressed as a god/demigod (Hercules, Mercury, Apollo)
He was assassinated

6. Claudius Uncle of Caligula The empire expanded under his reign
He was poisoned

7. Nero One of Rome’s worst emperors
Murdered his mother, half-brother, and wife
He was emperor when the city of Rome burned
Persecuted Christians – Blamed them for the burning of Rome
He committed suicide

8. Trajan
Best known for his extensive public building program

9. Hadrian Probably one of the best emperors
Tried hard to build a good government

10. Marcus Aurelius Often referred to as “the wise”
Responsible for many military conquests in Parthia, Gaul, Germania, and Britain

11. Roman Contributions Circus Maximus – The most famous “circus” in Rome
Where chariot races were held

12. Roman Contributions Colloseum Most famous stadium in Rome
Used mainly for gladiator fights

13. Roman Contributions
Roads – Romans built a highly complex system of roads.
“All Roads Lead to Rome”

14. Roman Contributions
Aqueducts – man-made channels that carried water into the cities

15. Roman Contributions
Sewers – Romans designed drainage systems to carry away sewage (human wastes)

16. Roman Contributions Latin – official language of Romans
Many other languages are called Romance languages because of their Latin origins.

17. Roman Contributions First Fire Company and Police Force
First Welfare System
First Health Care System

18. Roman Religion
Many Romans practiced a pagan religion – worship of many gods
Roman emperors allowed many different religious beliefs
Romans insisted that people offer religious sacrifices to the emperor because of his divine powers

19. Roman Religion
The only group not required to treat the emperor as a god was the Hebrews.
When Caesar Augustus was emperor, Jesus of Nazareth was born in Judea.
Jesus became the founder of the new religion called Christianity.

20. Christianity
After three years of Jesus’ ministry, some Jewish leaders denounced him
He was arrested by Roman soldiers
Pontius Pilate – the Roman governor – sentenced him to death by crucifixion

21. Christianity
Disciples, or followers, of Jesus spread Jesus’ teachings to other parts of the world
Paul and Peter (two men responsible for spreading Christianity), along with thousands of other Christians were killed during the rule of Emperor Nero.

22. The Decline of the Roman Empire
Political Instability
Emperors were often assassinated
Unpopular new emperors
Civil wars – a conflict between people of the same land

23. The Decline of the Roman Empire
Financial Problems
Too much money is being spent on protecting the Empire
High taxes are being charged by publicans
Many people could barely survive

24. The Decline of the Roman Empire
Foreign enemies
Romans are too busy fighting civil wars among themselves
Foreigners invade and rule the land