The Roman EmpireThe Roman Empire“I came. I saw. I “I came. I saw. I

conquered.”conquered.”Veni, vidi, viciVeni, vidi, vici

---Julius Caesar ---Julius Caesar

At its height, the Roman Empire At its height, the Roman Empire covered over two million square covered over two million square miles stretching from the Rhine River miles stretching from the Rhine River to Egypt and from Britain to Asia to Egypt and from Britain to Asia Minor. (roughly the size of the U.S.). (roughly the size of the U.S.)

The population of the Empire was at The population of the Empire was at least 70 million and may have been least 70 million and may have been in excess of 100 million. The city of in excess of 100 million. The city of Rome itself was home to more than 1 Rome itself was home to more than 1 million inhabitants.million inhabitants.

)

Ancient Romans spokeAncient Romans spoke Latin Latin, which in , which in turn, has influenced many of today's turn, has influenced many of today's languages that include French, languages that include French, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese. Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese.

According to legend, Rome was According to legend, Rome was founded by Remus and Romulus, two founded by Remus and Romulus, two brothers suckled by a she-wolf. brothers suckled by a she-wolf. Romulus killed Remus and named the Romulus killed Remus and named the city after himself.city after himself.

The Roman Republic was governed The Roman Republic was governed by Elected Consuls, the Senate, and by Elected Consuls, the Senate, and the Plebian Council, which was a the Plebian Council, which was a popular assembly. The Senate popular assembly. The Senate consisted of the wealthier Romans, consisted of the wealthier Romans, while the Plebian Council represented while the Plebian Council represented the working classes. the working classes.

Rome contained a Rome contained a senatesenate of three of three hundred senators, who served for life.hundred senators, who served for life.

The spread of Christianity was The spread of Christianity was greatly helped by the infrastructure greatly helped by the infrastructure of Roman roads and the use of a of Roman roads and the use of a universal language—Latin, of course. universal language—Latin, of course.

The Roman Republic and The Roman Republic and EmpireEmpire

chapter 6-2chapter 6-2

As Rome enlarged its territory, its As Rome enlarged its territory, its republican form of government grew republican form of government grew increasingly unstable.increasingly unstable.

Rome later formed a dictator-ruled empireRome later formed a dictator-ruled empire There was a growing discontent among There was a growing discontent among

the lower classes of society.the lower classes of society. Gap between rich and poor grew.Gap between rich and poor grew. Rome’s rich landowner’s lived on huge Rome’s rich landowner’s lived on huge

estates.estates. Slaves work these estates (By 100 B.C. Slaves work these estates (By 100 B.C.

enslaved made up around one-fourth of Roman enslaved made up around one-fourth of Roman society).society).

Two brothers, Tiberius and Gaius Two brothers, Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus, tried to help Rome’s poor. They Gracchus, tried to help Rome’s poor. They proposed reforms like limiting the size of proposed reforms like limiting the size of estates and giving land to the poor. Both estates and giving land to the poor. Both met violent deaths.met violent deaths.

A period of civil war followed their deaths.A period of civil war followed their deaths. Generals began seizing greater power for Generals began seizing greater power for

themselves. Soldiers recruited from the themselves. Soldiers recruited from the landless poor by promising them land.landless poor by promising them land.

In 60 B.C., Julius Caesar joined forces with Crassus In 60 B.C., Julius Caesar joined forces with Crassus (wealthy Roman) and Pompey (popular general (wealthy Roman) and Pompey (popular general married to Caesar’s daughter) and takes control. married to Caesar’s daughter) and takes control. For ten years they dominated Rome as a For ten years they dominated Rome as a triumviratetriumvirate, , a group of three rulers. Crassus dies 53 B.C.a group of three rulers. Crassus dies 53 B.C.

During 58-50 B.C. Caesar led his During 58-50 B.C. Caesar led his legions in a in a campaign to conquer Gaul (modern day France). His campaign to conquer Gaul (modern day France). His successes made him very popular with the people of successes made him very popular with the people of Rome.Rome.

Caesar defeated Pompey’s troops in Greece, Asia, Caesar defeated Pompey’s troops in Greece, Asia, Spain and Egypt. In 46 B.C. he returned to Rome.Spain and Egypt. In 46 B.C. he returned to Rome.

Pompey dies in Egypt. Power struggle in Egypt, Pompey dies in Egypt. Power struggle in Egypt, Caesar sides with Cleopatra. They begin a Caesar sides with Cleopatra. They begin a relationship she bears him a son, Caesarion. She relationship she bears him a son, Caesarion. She comes back to Rome.comes back to Rome.

In 44 B.C. Caesar was named dictator for life.In 44 B.C. Caesar was named dictator for life. He granted citizenship to many people in the He granted citizenship to many people in the

provinces. He helped the poor by creating provinces. He helped the poor by creating jobs through the construction of new public jobs through the construction of new public buildings.buildings.

He increased pay for soldiers and started He increased pay for soldiers and started colonies where people without land could colonies where people without land could own property.own property.

Worried about his growing power, and hoping to Worried about his growing power, and hoping to restore the constitutional government of the restore the constitutional government of the Republic, on March 15, 44 B.C., he was stabbed to Republic, on March 15, 44 B.C., he was stabbed to death in the senate chamber.death in the senate chamber.

Civil War broke out after Caesar’s death.Civil War broke out after Caesar’s death. Caesar’s grandnephew, Octavian, joined Caesar’s grandnephew, Octavian, joined

with Mark Antony and an powerful with Mark Antony and an powerful politician named Lepidus. In 43 B.C. they politician named Lepidus. In 43 B.C. they took control of Rome and ruled for ten took control of Rome and ruled for ten years.years.

While leading troops against Rome’s While leading troops against Rome’s enemies in Anatolia, Mark Antony met enemies in Anatolia, Mark Antony met Queen Cleopatra of Egypt and fell in love Queen Cleopatra of Egypt and fell in love with her and followed her to Egypt.with her and followed her to Egypt.

Octavian defeated the combined Octavian defeated the combined forces of Antony and Cleopatra at the forces of Antony and Cleopatra at the naval battle of Actium in 31 B.C. and naval battle of Actium in 31 B.C. and Antony and Cleopatra committed Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide.suicide.

CLEOPATRA

Octavian accepted the title of Augustus or Octavian accepted the title of Augustus or “exalted one.” Rome was now an empire “exalted one.” Rome was now an empire ruled by one man.ruled by one man.

Rome’s power was at its peak from 27 B.C. Rome’s power was at its peak from 27 B.C. to A.D. 180. For 207 years peace reigned to A.D. 180. For 207 years peace reigned throughout the empire. This period of throughout the empire. This period of peace was known as peace was known as Pax RomanaPax Romana.—.—Roman PeaceRoman Peace

Augustus was Rome’s ablest emperor.Augustus was Rome’s ablest emperor. He stabilized the frontier, glorified Rome He stabilized the frontier, glorified Rome

with splendid public buildings, set up a with splendid public buildings, set up a civil service (paid workers to manage the civil service (paid workers to manage the affairs of government). affairs of government).

The Romans managed an empire that by The Romans managed an empire that by the second century A.D. reached from the second century A.D. reached from Spain to Mesopotamia, from North Africa Spain to Mesopotamia, from North Africa to Britain.to Britain.

Agriculture was the most important Agriculture was the most important industry in the empire.industry in the empire.

90 percent of the people were 90 percent of the people were engaged in farming.engaged in farming.

A silver coin called a denarius was A silver coin called a denarius was used throughout the empire making used throughout the empire making trade easier among different parts of trade easier among different parts of the empire.the empire.

The Roman WorldThe Roman WorldRome emphasized the values of Rome emphasized the values of

discipline, strength and loyalty. A discipline, strength and loyalty. A person with these qualities was said to person with these qualities was said to have have gravitas. gravitas. They honored strength They honored strength more than beauty, power more than more than beauty, power more than grace and usefulness more than grace and usefulness more than elegance.elegance.

Slavery and captivitySlavery and captivitySlavery was widespread and important Slavery was widespread and important

to the economy. Numbers of slaves to the economy. Numbers of slaves many have reached as high as one-third many have reached as high as one-third of the total population.of the total population.

Most slaves were conquered peoples Most slaves were conquered peoples brought back by victorious Roman brought back by victorious Roman armies. Children born to slaves also armies. Children born to slaves also became slaves.became slaves.

Slaves could be bought and sold, Slaves could be bought and sold, punished, set free or put to death as punished, set free or put to death as their masters saw fit.their masters saw fit.

Some healthy male slaves were Some healthy male slaves were forced to become gladiators or forced to become gladiators or professional fighters. professional fighters.

Some slaves rebelled—more than a Some slaves rebelled—more than a million slaves lost their lives million slaves lost their lives attempting to gain their freedom.attempting to gain their freedom.

Society and CultureSociety and CultureClasses had very little in commonClasses had very little in commonThe rich live extravagantly while the The rich live extravagantly while the

people in Rome barely had the people in Rome barely had the necessities of life. necessities of life.

Much of the city’s population was Much of the city’s population was unemployed and government supported unemployed and government supported these people with daily rations of grain.these people with daily rations of grain.

To distract and control the masses of To distract and control the masses of Romans, the government provided Romans, the government provided free games, races, mock battles, and free games, races, mock battles, and gladiator contests. By A.D. 250, gladiator contests. By A.D. 250, there were 150 holidays a year.there were 150 holidays a year.On these celebrations, the Coliseum On these celebrations, the Coliseum

could hold 50,000. Wild creatures could hold 50,000. Wild creatures brought from other lands (tigers, lion, brought from other lands (tigers, lion, bears) would fight to the death.bears) would fight to the death.

The Rise of ChristianityThe Rise of Christianity

Summarize the life of JesusSummarize the life of Jesus

Born sometime around 6 to 4 B.C. in Born sometime around 6 to 4 B.C. in the town of Bethlehem.the town of Bethlehem.

Raised in NazarethRaised in NazarethBaptized by the prophet known as Baptized by the prophet known as

John the Baptist.John the Baptist.At the age of 30 starts public At the age of 30 starts public

ministry.ministry.Taught, preached and performed Taught, preached and performed

miracles for three years.miracles for three years.

Emphasized God’s personal Emphasized God’s personal relationship to each human beingrelationship to each human being

Stressed the importance of peoples Stressed the importance of peoples love for God, neighbors, their love for God, neighbors, their enemies, and even themselves.enemies, and even themselves.

Said that God would establish an Said that God would establish an eternal kingdom for people who eternal kingdom for people who sincerely repented their sins.sincerely repented their sins.

Attracted large crowdsAttracted large crowdsHad a special appeal to the poor Had a special appeal to the poor

because he ignored wealth and because he ignored wealth and status. (Blessed are the meek…)status. (Blessed are the meek…)

Growing popularity concerned Growing popularity concerned Roman and Jewish leadersRoman and Jewish leaders

AD 29, Jesus visited Jerusalem and AD 29, Jesus visited Jerusalem and was greeted as a Messiah or king.was greeted as a Messiah or king.

Chief Priest of the Jews denied that Jesus was Chief Priest of the Jews denied that Jesus was the Messiahthe Messiah

Pontius Pilate, Roman governor, accused Jesus Pontius Pilate, Roman governor, accused Jesus of defying Roman authority.of defying Roman authority. Pilate arrested Jesus and sentenced him to be Pilate arrested Jesus and sentenced him to be

crucified.crucified. After Jesus’ death, his body was placed in a tomb. After Jesus’ death, his body was placed in a tomb.

According to the Gospels, three days later his body According to the Gospels, three days later his body was gone and a living Jesus began appearing to his was gone and a living Jesus began appearing to his followers.followers.

According to the Gospels, Jesus ascended into According to the Gospels, Jesus ascended into heaven.heaven.

Trace the Spread of Christianity Trace the Spread of Christianity in the Roman Empirein the Roman Empire

Jesus’ teachings did not contradict Jewish Jesus’ teachings did not contradict Jewish law and his first followers were Jews.law and his first followers were Jews.

Believing that Jesus triumphed over Believing that Jesus triumphed over death, his followers continued to spread death, his followers continued to spread his ideas.his ideas.

Paul, a Jew, had a vision of Jesus (he had Paul, a Jew, had a vision of Jesus (he had never met him). Spent the rest of his life never met him). Spent the rest of his life spreading and interpreting Jesus’ spreading and interpreting Jesus’ teachings.teachings.

The Pax Romana made travel and The Pax Romana made travel and exchange of ideas fairly safe provided the exchange of ideas fairly safe provided the ideal conditions for Christianity to spread.ideal conditions for Christianity to spread.

Common languages—Latin and Greek—Common languages—Latin and Greek—allowed the message to be easily allowed the message to be easily understood.understood.

Paul wrote letters, called EpistlesPaul wrote letters, called Epistles Paul stressed that Christianity should Paul stressed that Christianity should

welcome all converts, Jew or non-Jew.welcome all converts, Jew or non-Jew.

Analyze Christianity’s appealAnalyze Christianity’s appeal

Christianity embraced all people—men Christianity embraced all people—men and women, enslaved persons, the poor, and women, enslaved persons, the poor, and noblesand nobles

Gave hope to the powerlessGave hope to the powerless Appealed to those who were repelled by Appealed to those who were repelled by

the extravagances of imperial Rome;the extravagances of imperial Rome; Offered a personal relationship with a Offered a personal relationship with a

loving God;loving God; Promised eternal life after deathPromised eternal life after death

The GospelsThe Gospels

The only real sources about the life The only real sources about the life and teachings of Jesus are the and teachings of Jesus are the Gospels of the New Testament.Gospels of the New Testament.

Mark (written A.D. 60-80) is the Mark (written A.D. 60-80) is the earliest.earliest.

Matthew, Luke and John (written Matthew, Luke and John (written A.D.75-90) are laterA.D.75-90) are later

Evidence also found in the letters of Evidence also found in the letters of Paul (written A.D. 50)Paul (written A.D. 50)