Chapter 9 Section 4The Early Roman Empire

Pages 444 - 451

Section Goals• You will explain how Augustus was able to

create an era of prosperity• You will identify the Roman rulers who

succeeded (came after) Augustus• You will describe the effects of roads, aqueducts

& a common currency had on the Roman Empire• You will explain how the Romans created a

republic

The Early Empire• 1) What is the Pax

Romana?• A long era of peace for the Roman

Empire that began when Augustus ruled

• Pax Romana means Roman peace

The Early Empire• 2) What did Augustus

achieve?• Built a permanent army

to protect Rome

• conquered new territories in Europe,

• fed the poor, rebuilt Rome, encouraged art and learning,

• Reformed the tax system to create fair taxes

The Early Empire• 3) Who came after

Augustus?• Julio Claudian emperors-

Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero

• Caligula – mental illness caused him to act strange & be cruel to people

• Nero – also very mean – killed his wives & mother – did nothing when Rome burned

The Early Empire• 4) Who is Vespasian? • Became emperor in 69

A.D.

• Brought peace back to Rome after long period of fighting

• started to build the Colosseum

The Early Empire• 5) Who are the “good

emperors”?• Nerva, Trajan, Antoninus

Pius, Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius

• These rulers had nearly a century of prosperity in Rome

• They did not abuse their power

The Early Empire• 6) What are some

accomplishments of the “good emperors”?

• Trajan gave money to help the poor to help educate the children & expanded the roman empire to its largest size

• Hadrian made Roman law easier to interpret & understand

• Antoinius Pius passed laws to help orphans

Hadrian’s Wall marked the northern border of the Roman Empire in Great Britain

The Early Empire• 7) What is an

Aqueduct?• A human made channel built for

carrying water long distances• Brought water to all parts of the

Empire• Some of the Roman aqueducts

still exist.

The Early Empire• 8) What unified the

Roman empire?

• The Roman empire was one of the largest in history

• Covered 3.5 million miles & its people spoke many different languages

• The people were united through common Roman law, Roman rule, and a shared identity as Romans

The Early Empire

The Early Empire• 9) What was

vital(important) to the economy of Rome?

• Rome had a common currency – everyone worked with the same money

• Common money helped set common values for goods

• Rome also had an extensive(large) system of roads that connected all parts of the empire

Stuff for your Quiz• Hadrian

• Caligula

• Currency

• Pax Romana

• aqueduct

• One of 5 “good emperors”

• Had mental illness

• A system of money

• A long era of peace

• A channel to carry water

Stuff for your Quiz• 1) What big construction project did Vespasian begin

during his rule?• 2) What 2 things were vital to Rome’s trade

economy?• 3) What 3 things helped to unify the people of the

Roman Empire?• 4) Which emperor expanded Rome to its largest size?• 5) What did Augustus create to help protect Rome?

Stuff For your Quiz• 1) The Colosseum

• 2) a common currency & a good road system

• 3) common law, Roman rule & a shared identity as Romans

• 4) Trajan – expanded empire to largest size

• 5) a permanent army