Rome Builds an Empire

Chapter 11.4

Tennessee State Standards• 6.63 Describe the influence of Julius Caesar and Augustus in Rome’s

transition from a republic to an empire and explain the reasons for the growth and long life of the Roman Empire. (C, E, G, H, P) · Military organization, tactics, and conquests and decentralized administration · the purpose and functions of taxes · the promotion of economic growth through the use of a standard currency, road construction, and the protection of trade routes · the benefits of a Pax Romana

• 6.64 Reflect on the impact of the lives of Cleopatra, Marc Anthony, Nero, Diocletian, and Constantine, city of Constantinople on the Roman Empire. (H, P)

• 6.65 Identify the location of and the political and geographic reasons for, the growth of Roman territories and expansion of the empire, including how the empire fostered economic growth through the use of currency and trade routes.

• 6.68 Analyze how internal and external forces caused the disintegration of the Roman Empire: including rise of autonomous military powers, political corruption, moral decay, economic and political instability, shrinking trade, invasions, and attacks by Germanic tribes. (E,G, H, P)

• 6.70 Explain the spread of the Roman alphabet and the Latin language

The Rule of Augustus

• Pax Romana– “Roman Peace”– 200 years of

peace and prosperity

– Height of Rome’s power

– Ended c.180 A.D.

What Reforms Did Augustus Make?

• Permanent professional army– Praetorian Guard (9,000 men to guard him)

• Empire’s boundaries were along natural physical features– Made it easier to defend

• Rebuilt buildings • Improved government

– Proconsul oversaw provinces– Tax collectors were made government officials– Changed the legal system– Gave grain to the poor

Emperors After Augustus

• Tiberius, adopted son of Augustus, took over in A.D. 14

• Julio-Claudian emperors– Caligula –crazy, cruel,

Praetorian Guard murdered him

– Claudius – effective ruler

– Nero – cruel, committed suicide after Senate found him guilty of treason

The Roman Peace

• Vespasian– A.D. 69 became emperor– Restored order and peace– Son, Titus, defeated

Jewish rebels and destroyed the temple

– Built the Colosseum– Sons, Titus and Domitian

ruled after his death• A.D. 79 – Mount Vesuvius

destroys Pompeii

Five Good Emperors

• Nerva• Trajan• Hadrian• Antoninus Pius• Marcus Aurelius

– A.D. 96- A.D. 180– Did not abuse power– Economic growth– Programs to help poor– Improved roads and

bridges– Built aqueducts

A United Empire• A. D. 100’s Empire was almost the size of

the United States– A.D. 212 every free person was a citizen– Treated the same under Roman laws

The Empire’s Economy• Agriculture• Additional grain was imported• Industry

– Pottery, jewelry, cloth, and glass

• Common currency• Standard weights and

measurements• Roads• Navy• Trade throughout the empire

– Made many wealthy

Rome’s Technology

• http://www.mrdowling.com/702-technology.html

• Follow along with the powerpoint

Letter: Dearest _____, You are an ordinary Roman citizen living in Rome around A.D. 212. You own a small farm. Write a letter to a family member living in faraway Alexandria, Egypt. Tell them about how the Roman Empire has changed in the last 100 years. As an ordinary citizen, explain in detail which change affects you most.

With all my love,

___________