Roman Beginnings through the Pax Romana

Roman Beginnings…

Rome started in the Tiber River Valley around 2000BC.

Rome is located on the Italian Peninsula – a body of land nearly surrounded by water.

Italian Peninsula Powers

Rise of Republic

In the beginning Ancient Rome was made up of two groups:

Patricians – wealthy landowners who were allowed to vote and hold office

Plebeians – commoners who were allowed to vote but could not hold office

Conflict

• Plebeians were jealous of the Patrician’s power.

• This led to the development of a republic with a tripartite government (3 branches).

• This was a republic – government in which citizens elect representatives to rule.

Republic

• The republic has 3 branches of government –Executive (enforces laws)

Legislative (makes laws) Judicial (interprets laws)

• 451B.C. - Twelve Tables created: Ensuring the right to protection of the law for all Roman citizens

Executive Branch

• Executive – made up of two consuls

• Consuls commanded the army and directed the government for one year.

• In a crisis Consuls could choose a dictator – a leader with absolute power.

Legislative Branch

• Legislative – made up of Senate and Assemblies

• Senate was a powerful body of 300 members who advised Roman leaders

• Most senators were patricians and most assembly members were plebeians.

Judicial Branch

• Judicial – made up of 8 judges

• Each judge served for one year

• They supervised courts and governed provinces.

Rome Expands…

Rome expanded:•North - Took over the Etruscans•South - Took over the Greeks•By 270B.C. Rome ruled all of central and southern Italy

Punic Wars

• Series of three wars over 100 years… Carthage versus Rome

• Rome won all 3 wars and took over control of Carthage!

Rome before the wars…

Rome after the Punic Wars…

Roman Empire through the Pax Romana

Rome Becomes An Empire

Expanding across the Mediterranean brought many changes to Rome including becoming an Empire – a group of lands and people brought together under one ruler.

Expansion under the Republic

• Rome expanded to…– 146 B.C. Macedonia

and Greece– 133 B.C. Asia Minor– 100 B.C. Middle East

and Egypt

MEDITERRANEAN SEA   

= MARE NOSTRUM (“OUR SEA”)

End of the Republic

Senate became too powerful and the army was doing all the work.

They wanted a strong leader.

Enter: Julius Caesar

• Popular General

Fresh from the Gallic Wars in which Rome took over Gaul

• Popular Politician

Supported the common people (Plebians)

• Popular Dictator

Led his soldiers to Italy and took control of Rome in a civil war – war between people living in the same country.

Julius Caesar • 44 B.C. - Named Dictator for life

(government controlled by one leader)

• All powerful

• According to the Senate…He was too powerful!

Death of Julius Caesar

March 15, 44 BC

•Senate held a meeting.

•Several members surround and assassinate (kill) Julius Caesar.

•His death is the end of the Republic.

Enter: Octavian

• Octavian – Caesar’s great-nephew and adopted son.

• 27 B.C. – became ruler of Rome.

• Octavian is named first emperor by the Senate

• Changed name to Augustus (exalted one)

• Chose to be called “first citizen”.

Augustus Caesar

The Roman Empire is born!

Augustus

• Brought the provinces under control

• Strengthened Rome’s defenses

• Began a Civil Service – group of officials employed by the government.

• Rebuilt Rome and made it beautiful.

Pax Romana

• Under Augustus the Pax Romana began (The Roman Peace)

• The Pax Romana lasted for 200 years.

Pax Romana (Roman Peace)

Legacy of Augustus

• The Roman Empire grew to its largest size.

• Had the greatest army in the world.

• Ideas were so successful that the Roman Empire continued to do well after his death.