The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire. Growth of Roman Empire.

The Rise and Fall of theThe Rise and Fall of theRoman EmpireRoman Empire

Growth of Roman EmpireGrowth of Roman Empire

Roman Empire at its heightRoman Empire at its height

The Beginning of the EmpireThe Beginning of the Empire• The Roman Empire began in 31BC with the The Roman Empire began in 31BC with the

rule of Octavian. (Caesar Augustus)rule of Octavian. (Caesar Augustus)– The Grand nephew of Julius CaesarThe Grand nephew of Julius Caesar

AugustusAugustus

• During the period of the Roman Empire, Rome flourished. It expanded to cover most of Europe, the Middle East, and the Northern Part of Africa.

• The areas were divided into provinces and were controlled by a shared power of Augustus and the Senate.

• Augustus was seen to be one of the greatest emperors of the Roman Empire.

• called called princepprincep (first citizen) (first citizen)

Augustus (31BC-14AD)Augustus (31BC-14AD) 45 years in power 45 years in power

Key Reforms of AugustusKey Reforms of Augustus• Praetorian Guard for his protection (4500 men)Praetorian Guard for his protection (4500 men)• shared control with Senateshared control with Senate• created buffer territories and Kingdomscreated buffer territories and Kingdoms• continued granting citizenship to provincescontinued granting citizenship to provinces• created a Censuscreated a Census• uniform tax system (equal among provinces)uniform tax system (equal among provinces)• established civil serviceestablished civil service• positions based on talent & merit not classpositions based on talent & merit not class• encouraged family and religious dutiesencouraged family and religious duties• tax on childless couplestax on childless couples• built temples and roadsbuilt temples and roads

Emperors following AugustusEmperors following Augustus

• treated with hostility by Romanstreated with hostility by Romans• None of the next few emperors kept the good None of the next few emperors kept the good

ties with the Senate and the people of Rome ties with the Senate and the people of Rome that Augustus had.that Augustus had.

• None had been as good to Rome, and None had been as good to Rome, and conquered people, as Augustus.conquered people, as Augustus.– Tiberius Tiberius (14-37) Cheap(14-37) Cheap– CaligulaCaligula (37-41) Insane (assassinated) (37-41) Insane (assassinated)

• Gave his horse the position of consul. • killed by the Praetorian guard in 41 CE.

– NeroNero (54-68) Vain, Cruel, Revengeful (54-68) Vain, Cruel, Revengeful

NeroNero

Emperor NeroEmperor Nero

• He ruled from 54AD - 68 AD.– He was very cruel and revengeful.– He ordered the assassination of anyone who seemed

to be an opponent to him.

• Killed his own mother.

• A disastrous fire swept through Rome in 64 AD which was believed to have been set by Nero himself.

• After his death the Senate and the army knew they had to play more of an active role in selecting an emperor.

Five Good EmperorsFive Good Emperors

• After Nero, Senate & Army played a After Nero, Senate & Army played a role in selecting emperor (many inter role in selecting emperor (many inter army battles)army battles)

• 96 -180 Century of Peace96 -180 Century of Peace

• Each emperor trained a successor Each emperor trained a successor (Caesar)(Caesar)

• (Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antonius Pius, Marcus (Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antonius Pius, Marcus Aurelius)Aurelius)

• Trajan was a Spaniard (1st Non-Italian)Trajan was a Spaniard (1st Non-Italian)– Rome's Boundaries reached greatest Rome's Boundaries reached greatest

extentextent

Pax Romana Pax Romana (“Roman Peace”)(“Roman Peace”) Under the 5 Good EmperorsUnder the 5 Good Emperors

• the Roman Empire expanded in territory, the Roman Empire expanded in territory, trade and wealth.trade and wealth.

• civilization flourishedcivilization flourished• hundreds of cities builthundreds of cities built• paved roadspaved roads• Latin common language of empire. Latin common language of empire. (This led (This led

to it forming the basis later languages)to it forming the basis later languages)

• the Emperors would communicate closely the Emperors would communicate closely with the Senate before taking any action. with the Senate before taking any action. – (Means they didn't abuse their authority. (Means they didn't abuse their authority.

People felt they still had say.) People felt they still had say.)

The Decline of the Roman The Decline of the Roman EmpireEmpire

• Began in the 2nd century when enemies from the Began in the 2nd century when enemies from the north began to invade Roman territory. north began to invade Roman territory. – Why would it be easy to attack this large empire?Why would it be easy to attack this large empire?– the empire was so large and the borders were so long, it the empire was so large and the borders were so long, it

was nearly impossible to protect the borders.was nearly impossible to protect the borders.

• By 285 AD Rome was going through serious By 285 AD Rome was going through serious internal problems, revolts in conquered territories, internal problems, revolts in conquered territories, present day France, Britain. present day France, Britain.

• The emperor was unable to squash these revolts. The emperor was unable to squash these revolts. • As a result the Empire was divided into two As a result the Empire was divided into two

sections. sections.

Result of splitting the EmpireResult of splitting the Empire• two rulers would issue all laws together. two rulers would issue all laws together. • very negative effect on Rome.very negative effect on Rome.• It was no longer the capital of the empire It was no longer the capital of the empire

or the centre of power.or the centre of power.• Roman Senate lost all of its power. Roman Senate lost all of its power. • The rule of these two parts of the Roman The rule of these two parts of the Roman

Empire broke down when 7 different Empire broke down when 7 different people fought for power. people fought for power.

• Constantine defeated all rivals in a civil Constantine defeated all rivals in a civil war (tears a country apart) and became war (tears a country apart) and became the sole emperor of Roman Empire. the sole emperor of Roman Empire.

• He made the Greek town Byzantium the He made the Greek town Byzantium the new capital and renamed it new capital and renamed it Constantinople. Constantinople.

• Romulus Augustus was the last emperor Romulus Augustus was the last emperor of the Roman Empire. of the Roman Empire.

• Over the last few years Barbarians kept Over the last few years Barbarians kept attacking and invading Roman territories. attacking and invading Roman territories.

• Rome fell in 476ADRome fell in 476AD

After the Roman EmpireAfter the Roman Empire

• The leader of the united German tribes, assumes the title of king of Rome.

• After 476 CE, there are no Roman Emperors occupying the West at all.