Pax Romana: The “Roman Peace” 27 B.C. to 395 A.D.

1. Pax Romana: The “Roman Peace”27 B.C. to 395 A.D. • Rome brought peace to the lands they controlled. • In the lands they controlled they: • Respected local custom • Provided a system of laws • Promoted trade • Offered Roman citizenship to people throughout the empire

2. Pax Romana: The “Roman Peace” • Rome built 50,000 miles of roads • Rome became the center of: • Trade • Communication • Commerce • Politics • Culture • Military power What advantages are there for having your empire connected by roads? Ever heard the phrase, “All roads lead to Rome?”

3. Pax Romana: The “Roman Peace” • Rome made its army a professional army at this time • Even though Rome followed the “rule of law”, slavery existed in Rome • Much of Rome’s labor forced consisted of slaves • Rome held gladiatorial games in the Colosseum to entertain the people

5. The Jewish Diaspora (Dispersion) • Religious freedom was allowed in Rome, but all people had to recognize the emperor as divine. • The Jewish people did not believe the emperor was divine. • The Jews revolted in 66 A.D. and in 135 A.D. • Rome crushed both rebellions and scattered the Jews throughout the empire

6. Spread of Christianity • Christianity spread at a time of unrest in the Roman province of Judaea. • -Jews were split on how to respond • to Jesus. • Jews who accepted Jesus as the Savior became known as Christians.

7. Spread of Christianity

8. Fall of the Roman Empire High taxes, inflation, unemployment Corrupt emperors Non-Roman people in the military who were not loyal to Rome Constant invasions from other neighboring empires Western Roman Empire fell in 476 AD The Eastern half of the Roman Empire survived, and lasted another thousand years – known as the Byzantine Empire

9. Eastern Roman Empire renamed the Byzantine Empire. Capitol city located at Constantinople. Today Constantinople is called Istanbul, and is located in the country of Turkey. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrfufP-gGFg