AugustusA strong rulerWhen he struggled to gain power, he ignored the Senate and its lawsAfter gaining control he changed and respected the SenateDidn’t want to act like a king... why?Wanted to share power w/Senate and restore RepublicSenate liked his style so they gave him more power and controlDied in 14 A.D. ruled roughly 40 years

How does one rule an empire?

•Provinces = area of land that had a Roman Army/Governor

Life in a ProvinceRomans did not force their way of life on the provinces... who does this sound like?Locals ran everyday lifeThere was the presence of the Roman army and a governor... was to simply watch over the people, NOT to interfereProvinces were to supply three things in return (write these down)

supplies... need them for army and Romea market to sell Roman goods intaxes, taxes, taxes

Many do learn the way of the Romans... why do you think?

Good Rulers

Augustus: Started Pax RomanaPeriod of 5 Good EmperorsHadrianMarcus Aurelias (Emperor at beginning of Gladiator)

He was the last of the good emperors, his son... not so much

HadrianFocused on good governmentDeveloped a code of laws that applied to all provinces and protected women, children, and slavesReorganized army to allow soldiers to protect their home province... why is this good?Traveled to all the provincesgreatly promoted education and loved Greek learningWanted to make Athens the cultural center of the empireEstablished the northern border of the empire Hadrian’s Wall

Bad Emperors

Nero and Caligula

These two were the WORST of many bad emperorsTerrible leaders, brutal, and quite possibly insaneSo bad in fact, the Romans tried to get them removed from the history books when they die

Caligula

Thought he was a godWanted to battle Poseidon, yes the godMade his horse a consul Had Alexander the Great dug up so he could wear his armor

Nero

Murdered his half brother, mother, wife, girl friend etc...Hated Christians

Elagabalus was a nutYoung, cruel (lottery and handed out dead dogs and poisonous snakes as prizes, had lions put in guest rooms)

Commodus was Marcus Aurelias’s sonCruel, brutal, wanted to be a Gladiator, held brutal gamesHis reign gets Rome started into decline