The Roman Empire

Today’s Goal:

• Describe the culture and daily life in the Roman Empire and its influence on later Western civilization

Why is the period from 27 BC to AD 180 referred to as the Pax Romana?

• Octavian, renamed Augustus, became 1st emperor of Rome- Also known as “princeps”, imperator

• Rome entered the Pax Romana, or “Roman peace”, a period of peace and prosperity

• Augustus secures the empire & builds infrastructure (roads, temples)

The Age of Augustus

Size of the empire under Augustus

Model of Rome

Economy• Agriculture was the most important industry in the

Roman Empire• The Roman coin was known as the denarius made

trade easier • The Romans had a vast trading network and built a

navy to protect their trade ships

Roman Religion

The Virtue of gravitas

Society & Culture

The lives of the rich and famous

How did Roman gov’t distract the poor?• It offered “Bread & Circuses”• Entertainment to distract poor

from daily struggles- Gladiator contests- Mock battles- Chariot races- Free games

• Over 150 holidays• Events in the Coliseum,

Circus Maximus, Hippodrome

How were slaves viewed and treated?• Widespread, essential to

economy- 1/3rd of population

• Cruel treatment- Property of masters- Strong men fought

as gladiators• Slave revolts – unsuccessful • Possible manumission

(freedom)

“All Roads Lead to Rome”• Network of roads

- built for military purposes- linked empire to Persia & Russia- learned techniques from Etruscans & Greeks

• Roman aqueducts- Bring clean water to Roman cities

• Aqueducts provided water for the Roman baths

Coliseum

Circus Maximus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbQvpJsTvxU

Pantheon (“temple to all gods”)• Most well-preserved Roman building

(saved from ruin by Christian Church)• Oculus (eye designed to let light enter

building)

Poetry & Literature

Horace – poems that glorified Rome & Augustus, described joys & irritations of daily life

Virgil – pastoral lyrics celebrating artistry & rural life (The Aeneid – story of Rome)

Augustus’ Building Projects

Temple to Apollo, Palatine Hill

Roman Forum

The Bad Emperors

#3 Caligula #5 Nero #11 Domitian

“Bootikins”Fell ill insane?Hated by JewsAssassinated by Praetorian guard

Adopted by ClaudiusReforms“Fiddled while Rome burned”?Condemned to death by Senate suicide

Son of VespasianDespoticHis wife hired man to stab him

The Good Emperors

# 12 Nerva

#13 Trajan

#14 Hadrian

#16 Marcus Aurelias

#15 Antoninus Pius

Frail, often illFrail, often illKindly & amiableKindly & amiableRuled only 16 Ruled only 16 monthsmonthsDied of feverDied of fever

Spanish originSpanish originAdopted by Adopted by NervaNervaHumble, Humble, respectfulrespectfulPublic works, Public works, fundsfundsStrokeStroke

Became close friend of Became close friend of TrajanTrajanTrajan’s wife Plotina wrote Trajan’s wife Plotina wrote

letters to senate letters to senate stating stating Hadrian as Hadrian as successorsuccessorAdopted Antoninus PiusAdopted Antoninus PiusFell illFell illHadrians’ WallHadrians’ Wall

Adopted by HadrianAdopted by HadrianCalm, kind, moralCalm, kind, moralDaughter Faustina Daughter Faustina married married Marcus Marcus AureliasAureliasDied during sleepDied during sleep

Stoic philosophyStoic philosophyWrote “Meditations”Wrote “Meditations”Made son Made son Commodus his Commodus his co-co-emperoremperorLong-lasting illnessLong-lasting illness