1. Roman Empire

2. Patricians & Plebeians
Original aristocracy of Rome
Control strengthened by institution of clientage-client was a free man who pledged himself to a patrician (called patron)
Wealth based primarily on ownership of farmland and/or urban real estate
Initially only elected officials – Senate (2 Consuls)
Plebeians
Free men, but without aristocratic lineage
Could not serve in political offices originally
Often generated great wealth as merchants and soldiers
Eventually granted political power in Assembly that elected Tribune who could veto Senate

3. Republic Weakens
Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus try to give land to poor (both assassinated)
Gaius Marius lets poor into the army and makes it a professional force – Consul 7 times and takes power briefly
Sulla takes over as dictator in 82 BC and institutes reforms to give power back to Patricians – steps down in 79 BC

4. Empire - Julius
Originally part of triumvirate Julius Caesar, Gaius Pompey, and Marcus Crassus
Summoned to Rome in 49 BC
Crosses Rubicon (Rome’s Boundary) with 13th Legion
Crassus dies on military campaign against Parthians and Julius defeats Pompey at Pharsalus in Greece
Rules until 44 BC

5. Empire - Augustus
Adopted nephew of Julius Caesar, announced by Vestal Virgins as the heir in 44 BC
Second triumvirate of Octavian Caesar, Marc Antony, and Marcus Lepidus
Defeats Marc Antony and Cleopatra at Actium, Greece in 31 BC
44 years of rule (Pax Romana) giving deference to institutions of Rome as “First Citizen” – also institutes census

6. Appian Way Originally a military road from Rome to Capua
Started in 312 BC
Built by Roman soldiers

7. Hydraulic Engineering

8. Entertainment

9. Empire – Julian/Claudian Emperors

10. Empire – 5 “Good” Emperors
After period of anarchy, Nerva becomes Emperor in 96 AD
Next emperor is chosen instead of simply being the son of reigning emperor
Marcus Aurelius’ heir dies and his son Commodus takes over, which leads to anarchy again