The Rise of the Ancient Roman Empire

Rise of the Roman Empire

Phases of Roman History

1. Roman 1. Roman KingdomKingdom (753–509 B.C.) (753–509 B.C.)

2. The 2. The RepublicRepublic (509–27 B.C) (509–27 B.C)

3. The Roman 3. The Roman EmpireEmpire (27 BC–476 A.D.) (27 BC–476 A.D.)

Roman Kingdom: 753 BC—509 BC

• Legend from Roman Republic

• 7 Kings from Romulus (Founder) to Lucius Tarquinius Superbus

• Superbus was overthrown

Roman Republic: 509 BC—27 BC

• Representative Democracy: People can vote for their 2 Consuls (leader)

• Struggle between the landholding aristocracy and the commoners

• The formation of the Roman Constitution was a long process

Julius Caesar (49-44 BC)Julius Caesar (49-44 BC)• Very successful Roman Very successful Roman generalgeneral who who

became leaderbecame leader

• ““Dictator in perpetuityDictator in perpetuity” (Dictator Forever) ” (Dictator Forever) but not but not emperor emperor

• Was killed by the Senate and after…Was killed by the Senate and after…• Sparked Sparked riotsriots• A A civilcivil war war• Ends Ends the Republic the Republic

AND THEN… In 27 BC

Rome becomes an Empire!

Roman EmpireRoman Empire

• Rome is now officially Rome is now officially an an EmpireEmpire because it is ruled because it is ruled by by oneone person! person!

Who?Who?

Augustus (27 BC – 14 AD)Augustus (27 BC – 14 AD)• SenateSenate changes Octavian’s name changes Octavian’s name

to Augustus “exalted one”to Augustus “exalted one”• He brings He brings 200200 Years of Peace Years of Peace

Augustus’ Reforms• Restored traditional Restored traditional Roman Roman

valuesvalues::• Patriotism, close family ties, hard Patriotism, close family ties, hard

work, discipline, simple livingwork, discipline, simple living

• Passed laws encouraging early Passed laws encouraging early marriagemarriage and raising and raising largelarge families families

• Helped the poor by providing free Helped the poor by providing free or or low-cost low-cost graingrain

• Sponsored public works projects: Sponsored public works projects: • roadsroads, buildings, , buildings, waterwater systems systems

(improved life for Romans and (improved life for Romans and provided jobs for those in need)provided jobs for those in need)

Pax Romana – Roman Pax Romana – Roman PeacePeace

• Rome controlled the entire Rome controlled the entire Mediterranean region and Mediterranean region and beyondbeyond• Complete control = almost no warfareComplete control = almost no warfare

• There was There was 200200 years of years of peacepeace

• More and more provincials were More and more provincials were granted official Roman citizenshipgranted official Roman citizenship

Growth for 200 YearsGrowth for 200 Years

• Time of stability, expansion, power, and Time of stability, expansion, power, and prosperityprosperity

Time of Growth:

•Art & Architecture• Literature & Drama• Science & Medicine • Entertainment & Sport• Religion & Spirituality• Law

But But PeacePeace could not last could not last forever…forever…

To Be continued… To Be continued…