Problems of Rome

Station # 1 (pg 287-288)

1. What were the reforms of Augustus?

2. Check your answers with Miss Rice.

3. What do you think was the most important reform for the people in Ancient Rome? Explain.

4. What is the most important reform that may affect our life in modern times? Explain.

5. Are these reforms the same? If not why do you think they aren’t?

Reforms1. Permanent Professional Army –150,0002. Praetorian Guard – 9000 men to guard the emperor (bodyguards)3. New Territories in N. Europe4. Rebuilt Rome with Palaces, public buildings, & fountains– “ I found Rome a city of brick & I left it a city of marble.”

5. The arts flourish

6. Import grain from Egypt to feed the poor

7. Province governors – like our state governors today (replace much of the Senate’s power)

8. Tax system – Tax collector used to steal because they weren’t paid.– Augustus paid them and made it a permanent job – no more stealing9. Legal system – now laws for all non-citizens10. Stress the government over the individual in the government

–While traveling in Campania, Augustus died peacefully at Nola on August 19 AD14

–His famous last words were "Did you like the performance?"-referring to the play-acting and regal

authority that he had put on as emperor.

Station # 2

1. Read the political section.

2. What are the political problems of Rome? (write down at least two)

3. Check your answers and as a group how would you solve the problem?

Station # 2

• Army fought over leadership

• Corrupt politicians that take bribes

• Many talented stop taking part in government.

Station # 3

1. Read the economic section.

2. What are the economic problems of Rome? (write down at least two)

3. Check your answers and as a group how would you solve the problem?

Station # 3

• Less Crops = Hunger

• Businesses closed –> unemployment

• Inflation because less taxes were paid

• Less gold in coins – higher prices therefore bartering without money

Station # 4

1. Read the social section.

2. What are the social problems of Rome? (write down at least two)

3. Check your answers and as a group how would you solve the problem?

Section # 4

• Fewer people went to school

• Large number were enslaved

• Farmers grew less food

• The Plague

Station # 5

1. Read the military section.

2. What are the military problems of Rome? (write down at least two)

3. Check your answers and as a group how would you solve the problem?

Section # 5

• Germanic tribes invade crops and destroy fields

• Persia push into Eastern Rome

• Army can’t pay the soldiers

• Use German soldiers but they were not loyal

Station # 6 (pg # 320)

1. What were the reforms of Constantine?

2. Check your answers.

3. Why do you think these reformed failed? Discuss for a minute with your group.

Section # 6

• Saw a fiery cross in the sky that said he would win against the odds – became emperor

• Made him believe in the Christian god – 1st Christian Roman Emperor

• Helped the Catholic church start up • Sons had to follow their fathers and do the same

jobs (serfs to the land idea)• Made the Hippodrome (oval amphitheater)• Moved the capital from dying Rome to a new

city in the east- chose the site of the Greek city Byzantium and called it Constantinople

Station # 7 (pg # 320)

1. What were the reforms of Diocletian?

2. Check your answers.

3. Why do you think these reformed failed? Discuss for a minute with your group.

Section # 7• AD 284-305 • Soldier that became an emperor• Divided the empire into four parts and gave

four men power• Redistribute the army to protect Rome• Set rules for prices of goods and wages• Ordered workers to remain in the same jobs

until they died• Pay taxes in what you make – make olive oil

pay in olive oil