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Rome: The Early Empire

Rome: The Early Empire. SS.A.2.4.4-5; SS.A.2.2.4; SS.B.1.4.4. Age of Augustus. 27 B.C.: Octavian calls for “restoration of the Republic”, to satisfy the Senate Restored only republican form, not function Senate given some power, but not much

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Rome: The Early Empire

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  1. Rome: The Early Empire SS.A.2.4.4-5; SS.A.2.2.4; SS.B.1.4.4

  2. Age of Augustus • 27 B.C.: Octavian calls for “restoration of the Republic”, to satisfy the Senate • Restored only republican form, not function • Senate given some power, but not much • Senate gives Octavian title of “Augustus” or “revered one” • Augustus’ power comes from his control of the army—Senate gives him title imperator (commander in chief) • Augustus reorganizes the army into legions (5,000 Roman citizens); and stabilizes the empire

  3. Death of Caesar Augustus • A.D. 14: Caesar Octavian Augustus dies • As emperor, Augustus creates a new political system • Emperors were allowed to choose their successor from their natural or adopted fam • First four emperors after Augustus come from his family: Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius & Nero

  4. Augustus’ Emperors • First four emperors take many of the powers Augustus gave to the Senate • More power=more corruption • Nero, after killing his own mother, loses the respect of the army, and after his guards leave him, he commits suicide • After Nero’s death, Augustus’ family never again rules Rome, replaced by “Good Emperors”

  5. Pax Romana • Five Good Emperors: Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antonius Pius & Marcus Aurelius • Pax Romana: “Roman Peace” lasts for almost 100 years • Ruling families respected, end of arbitrary executions, peace in the empire • More power to emperors, less to Senate • Building projects: harbors, bridges, aqueducts

  6. Growth of the Empire • New lands added: Dacia (Romania), Mesopotamia, Sinai Peninsula—Trajan • Hadrian: pulls troops from far away provinces, strengthens forts b/w Rhine and Danube rivers, builds defensive wall across northern Britain to keep out Scots • An empire so large proves dificult to defend

  7. Managing the Empire • Cities=important • Facilitated the spread of Roman law, language and culture • Legions stationed at forts on frontiers • Many people given rights of citizens • Latin=official language in west • Greek=official language in east • Mixing of Greek and Roman culture= Greco-Roman culture

  8. Economy of the Early Empire • Pax Romana= prosperity • Peace= high level of trade= $$$$ • Trade extended outside empire, even included silk from China • Farming remained chief economic driver • Luxury good in high demand • Big separation b/w rich and poor

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