2. The Roman Empire World History – Libertyville HS

3. The Roman Empire “Pax Romana” = Roman Peace Lasted 200 years, from 27 BC to 180 AD Few civil wars & no invasions Legal system helped to Romanize regions Empire covered 2.2 million square miles with 120 million pop.

4. Government of the Empire Emperor had total control over the government Senate still met, but had little real power (no legions) Efficient bureaucracy, like the Han Chinese Army socialized non- citizens to become loyal Roman citizens

5. Economy of the Empire Based on trade and farming Trade Traded throughout Europe, SW Asia, North Africa – even China (226 AD) Road network very important to trade (quick / cheap) Mediterranean was pirate free (19 th C.)

6. Infrastructure Roads Built for and by the Army Encouraged trade and defense of Empire Over 55K miles of roads Many towns that sprung up at road intersections exist today (Paris; London) Aqueducts delivered water to cities

7. Life in the Roman Empire Life in Rome City of 1 million+, mostly unemployed plebeians “Bread & circuses” Bread = daily dole of food Circuses = games, theater, etc.Circuses

8. Life in Rome Haves and the have nots Haves =Patricians, equestrians were decadent Have nots = plebeians Desperately poor Lived in cramped apartment buildings prone to fires, collapse

9. Life in the Roman Empire Life in the provinces Security of Pax Romana meant hundreds of towns, cities springing up Simpler life where people farmed, raised families, and lived their lives

10. Life in the Roman Empire Life along frontiers Use of client state as buffers to protect against invasion Transformed German border tribes into semi civilized states Germans provided most troops of army German people wanted to move into Empire Led to tension, invasion

11. Octavian, First Emperor (27 BC-14 AD) Adopted by Julius Caesar at age 19 “Restored” Republic in 27 AD; Senate promptly named him emperor (“Augustus”) Focused on consolidation of his own power Kept tabs on rivals Kept control over army

12. Octavian, First Emperor State of Empire, under Octavian Frontier (“Imperial”) provinces (28 legions, no senators)– why? Interior Provinces (Romanized; Senate control, NO legions)

13. Octavian’s Plans for Expansion Expansion plans included invasion of Bohemia Setbacks 3 year revolt in Balkans Loss of 3 legions in Germany (Teutoburg Forest story) After Teutoburg Forest, Octavian switched strategy to defense

14. Succession of Emperors Julian Emperors (27 BC to 68 AD) 5 emperors, from Octavian to Nero Post Julian Emperors Lots of insanity, amorality “Five Good Emperors” (96-180 AD) Good because they were not insane Long reigns Militarily successful

15. Decline of Imperial Rome From 180 to 284 AD, 30 Emperors ruled in succession Short reigns led to political paralysis Civil wars by contenders for the throne weakened frontier Army, especially Praetorian Guard, began deciding who would be emperor Some of the emperors were insane or had short reigns

16. Decline of Imperial Rome Difficulty maintaining borders Army on frontier gradually became less Roman and more “barbarian” Migratory pressures from outside empire Increasing cost of bureaucracy Taxes paid only by citizens (212 AD: citizenship) Subject population paid tribute Rich tended to avoid taxes Land, local power went to rich

17. Partial Recovery and Reform (284-337 AD) Diocletian (284-311 AD) Great organizer Recognized that empire was too big Split empire into four parts East was “Hellenized” West war Germanic Leaders of North, South were “Caesar”, or junior emperors Doubled size of army (300k to 600k)

18. Partial Recovery and Reform Diocletian’s reforms Excluded patricians from military command Imposed rigid direction of labor on all people Constantine “The Great” (307-337 AD) Time of great unrest in West City populations shrinking Trade declined Farmland not cultivated

19. Partial Recovery and Reform Constantine moved capital from Rome to Byzantium Renamed city Constantinople Allowed for free worship of Christianity throughout empire (converted on deathbed)