The Roman Empire

The Five Good Emperors

– Nerva – appointed by the senate and backed by the army

– Trajan – expanded the empire– Hadrian – fortified the borders– Antonius Pius – maintained prosperity– Marcus Aurelius – the philosopher emperor

• His death marks the end of the Pax Romana and empire’s decline

Pax Romana:“Roman Peace”

• Time of peace & prosperity

• Lasted 270 years in Rome (27B.C. - 180 A.D.)

• Started with the reign of Augustus• Stabilized the frontier• glorified Rome

Pax Romana

– Economy base on agriculture and trade• 90% of people farmed• Traded w/ Persia, China, India etc.

– Empire: Spain to Middle East& from North Africa to Britain.

– Non-citizen allowed in the military.

Life in Rome• Boys were favored over girls

– girls were given the feminine form of their father’s name

• Slavery was important part of Roman life– conquered people and could be bought or sold– strong slaves were forced to be gladiators

• the rich lived extravagantly • the poor barely survived

– most unemployed– government gave out daily rations– games in the Coliseum was used to distract the poor.

Circus Maximus—chariot races

Coliseum—home of gladiator fights

• Central area of Rome

• Business Center– Commerce,

business, religion, justice, politics

Roman Forum