• Octavian became the first Octavian became the first Roman Emperor in 27 B.C. Roman Emperor in 27 B.C.

• The Senate gave him the The Senate gave him the title of Augustus which title of Augustus which meant exalted.meant exalted.

• Augustus began the Julian line of emperors.

• He began a period of peace and prosperity known as the Pax RomanaPax Romana which began with Augustus and continued for 200 years.

Octavian - Augustus:Octavian - Augustus:Rome’s First EmperorRome’s First EmperorOctavian - Augustus:Octavian - Augustus:

Rome’s First EmperorRome’s First Emperor

• Encouraged trade and began common Encouraged trade and began common coinage. coinage.

• Glorified Rome with splendid buildingsGlorified Rome with splendid buildings• Created a stable system of governmentCreated a stable system of government• Encouraged the old values of simplicity, Encouraged the old values of simplicity,

sober conduct and patriotism sober conduct and patriotism ((GravitasGravitas)) • Began highway construction to bind his Began highway construction to bind his

empire togetherempire together• Began public works programs and civil Began public works programs and civil

service service

Octavian - Augustus:Octavian - Augustus:Rome’s First EmperorRome’s First EmperorOctavian - Augustus:Octavian - Augustus:

Rome’s First EmperorRome’s First Emperor

Imperial Roman Road Imperial Roman Road SystemSystem

Imperial Roman Road Imperial Roman Road SystemSystem

The First Roman The First Roman DynastyDynasty

The First Roman The First Roman DynastyDynasty

Tiberius (14-37) Improved provincial government

and tax system. Brought Rome its greatest

prosperity Jesus was crucified during his reign

The Julian EmperorsThe Julian Emperors

Caligula (37-41) Was insane by the time he came to

power Brutally oppressed citizens of Rome Broke the Roman treasury Assassinated in 41 AD

The Julian EmperorsThe Julian Emperors

Claudius (41-54) Intelligent and scholarly emperor Ruled empire wisely and rebuilt its

treasury Added Britain to the Empire

The Julian EmperorsThe Julian Emperors

Nero (54-68) Initially a good emperor before going

insane. Became increasingly cruel. Rome burned during his reign. He began organized persecution of

Christians. Forced to flee and committed suicide

The Julian EmperorsThe Julian Emperors

• After the death of Nero, Rome was ruled by emperors who were supported by the military.• Beginning in 96 AD, a series of

emperors known as the Good Emperors led the empire effectively for nearly a century.

Nerva Chosen by the Senate. Began reforms by lowering taxes

and distributing land to the poor. Began tradition of adopting an heir

to be emperor.

The Good EmperorsThe Good Emperors

Trajan Born in Spain. Became the first

emperor from the provinces. Expanded the Empire to its greatest

size.

The Good EmperorsThe Good Emperors

The Roman Empire at its LargestThe Roman Empire at its Largest

Hadrian Reorganized the Roman

bureaucracy. Had defensive walls built along the

frontiers of the Empire. Reorganized Roman law and rebuilt

the city.

The Good EmperorsThe Good Emperors

Antonius Pius Instituted public works programs. Expanded educational programs

and programs for child welfare. Military began to decline during his

reign.

The Good EmperorsThe Good Emperors

Marcus Aurelius Last of the Good Emperors Faced widespread invasions of

frontiers by barbarian tribes. Spent most of his reign on the

defense of Rome. His death ended the Pax Romana.

The Good EmperorsThe Good Emperors

The Rise of The Rise of ChristianityChristianityThe Rise of The Rise of ChristianityChristianity

St. Paul: St. Paul: Apostle to the Apostle to the

GentilesGentiles

St. Paul: St. Paul: Apostle to the Apostle to the

GentilesGentiles

The Spread of The Spread of ChristianityChristianity

The Spread of The Spread of ChristianityChristianity

The Spread of The Spread of ChristianityChristianity

The Spread of The Spread of ChristianityChristianity

Diocletian - Divided the Empire into Eastern and Diocletian - Divided the Empire into Eastern and Western halves in order to better manage it.Western halves in order to better manage it.

Constantine - Established a new Roman capital at Constantine - Established a new Roman capital at Byzantium which later became Constantinople. He Byzantium which later became Constantinople. He converted to Christianity in 310. He was the last converted to Christianity in 310. He was the last effective ruler.effective ruler.

The Decline of the EmpireThe Decline of the EmpireFollowing the death of Marcus Aurelius, the Empire began Following the death of Marcus Aurelius, the Empire began to slowly decline. Civil War, barbarian invasions and to slowly decline. Civil War, barbarian invasions and internal strife threatened its very existence. Two strong internal strife threatened its very existence. Two strong leaders managed to hold the Empire together for a while.leaders managed to hold the Empire together for a while.

Diocletian Splits the Diocletian Splits the Empire : Empire : 294294

Diocletian Splits the Diocletian Splits the Empire : Empire : 294294

Constantine: 312 - Constantine: 312 - 337337

Constantine: 312 - Constantine: 312 - 337337

Constantinople: “The 2Constantinople: “The 2ndnd Rome” (Founded in 330)Rome” (Founded in 330)Constantinople: “The 2Constantinople: “The 2ndnd Rome” (Founded in 330)Rome” (Founded in 330)

Decline of the Roman Decline of the Roman EmpireEmpire

Decline of the Roman Decline of the Roman EmpireEmpirePolitical WeaknessesPolitical Weaknesses

• The Empire became to large to administerThe Empire became to large to administer• Decline of the military and loyalty to Decline of the military and loyalty to

governmentgovernment• Series of weak rulersSeries of weak rulers

Economic DeclineEconomic Decline• Heavy government expenses drained the treasuryHeavy government expenses drained the treasury• Trade, industry, and agriculture began to Trade, industry, and agriculture began to

disappeardisappear• Revenue from conquered lands declinedRevenue from conquered lands declined• Heavy taxation caused internal strifeHeavy taxation caused internal strife

Decline of the Roman Decline of the Roman EmpireEmpire

Decline of the Roman Decline of the Roman EmpireEmpireOutside InvasionsOutside Invasions

• Germanic tribes invaded the outposts of the Germanic tribes invaded the outposts of the Empire gradually weakening the defensesEmpire gradually weakening the defenses• Visigoths, Ostrogoths and Vandals were the main Visigoths, Ostrogoths and Vandals were the main

invaders.invaders.• They were pushed into Roman territory by the They were pushed into Roman territory by the

HunsHunsOther FactorsOther Factors

• Population of the Empire declinedPopulation of the Empire declined• Decay in family life and moralsDecay in family life and morals• Spread of Christianity discouraged aggressivenessSpread of Christianity discouraged aggressiveness

Barbarian Invasions:Barbarian Invasions:Barbarian Invasions:Barbarian Invasions:

Fall of the Roman EmpireFall of the Roman EmpireFall of the Roman EmpireFall of the Roman Empire• In the late 300’s barbarian tribes began to In the late 300’s barbarian tribes began to

invade the Western Empireinvade the Western Empire• In 476 the Western Empire fell to the In 476 the Western Empire fell to the

invaders and ended the Empire.invaders and ended the Empire.•This date marks the end of the ancient This date marks the end of the ancient

period of history.period of history.

The Legacy of The Legacy of RomeRome

The Legacy of The Legacy of RomeRome Republican form of GovernmentRepublican form of Government

Roman LawRoman Law Latin LanguageLatin Language Roman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic Church City PlanningCity Planning Roman EngineeringRoman Engineering

• AqueductsAqueducts• Sewage systemsSewage systems• CementCement• ArchArch• Roads & HighwaysRoads & Highways

The Roman ForumThe Roman ForumThe Roman ForumThe Roman Forum

Fall of the Roman EmpireFall of the Roman EmpireFall of the Roman EmpireFall of the Roman Empire• In the late 300’s barbarian tribes began to In the late 300’s barbarian tribes began to

invade the Western Empireinvade the Western Empire• In 476 the Western Empire fell to the In 476 the Western Empire fell to the

invaders and ended the Empire.invaders and ended the Empire.•This date marks the end of the ancient This date marks the end of the ancient

period of history.period of history.

The Roman Forum The Roman Forum todaytoday

The Roman Forum The Roman Forum todaytoday

AqueductsAqueductsAqueductsAqueducts ArchArchArchArch

Roman Roads and Highways Roman Roads and Highways The The Appian WayAppian Way

Roman Roads and Highways Roman Roads and Highways The The Appian WayAppian Way

Roman BathsRoman BathsRoman BathsRoman Baths

The Roman The Roman ColosseumColosseumThe Roman The Roman ColosseumColosseum

The Circus The Circus MaximusMaximus

The Circus The Circus MaximusMaximus