Roman Empire

Discover the journey of the Roman Empire: from its ambitious rise to the golden Pax Romana and its eventual decline.

Standard 6F – Rise of the Roman Empire The Roman Empire evolved with the ascension of Augustus Caesar, 1st Emperor. However, before Augustus came to power there were decades of turmoil. In the 60s B.C. three men - Pompey, Crassus, Julius Caesar – joined together to rule the Roman world as the First triumvirate. Julius Caesar would rise to dominance after his successful conquest of Gaul, his return to spark civil war after crossing the Rubicon River, and his defeat of Pompey. After Pompey’s death, Julius Caesar seized power, ruled as a dictator and was soon assassinated by his enemies in the senate who thought they were saving the Republic.The death of Julius Caesar led to widespread civil war which would be won by Octavian Caesar. In the end, Octavian defeated Marc Antony, former friend and military ally of Julius Caesar in one last civil war to become the 1st Emperor. Later the Senate would give him the title “Augustus” Caesar and he would alter the system of government of Rome, creating an imperial system (rule by a king). Augustus used imperial authority and the military to expand his power and the power of the Roman state, however, the greatest mistake he made was not creating a system for the peaceful succession of Emperors, an issue that would plague the Romans throughout the duration of the Empire. The last ruler before the Roman Empire began was this ruler, a dictator. Name him. Crassus Julius Caesar Augustus Octavian The first emperor of Rome was? Name him. Crassus Julius Caesar Augustus Pompey The reading talks about a mistake by Augustus as the first Emperor. What is the mistake? Fighting with Julius Caesar. Taking advantage of Pompey before he lost his head. providing a system for the peaceful succession of Emperors. answering the question of how leaders will led the Roman people. Standard 6G – The Pax Romana Augustus Caesar became the first emperor of Rome and for the next 200 years the Roman Empire enjoyed a period of peace and prosperity known as the Pax Romana. During this time Rome expanded, particularly in the Near East (Mesopotamia).Economically, the Pax Romana was a period of prosperity and stability as trade expanded and travel was safer on Roman roads. An established uniform system of money also helped the expansion of this tradeSocially, the Pax Romana witnessed an increased emphasis on the family and a returned stability to the social classes after the wars of the late republic.Politically, the Pax Romana was a period where there was a uniform rule of law that united the land and a civil service system developed. This emperor is said to start the Pax Romania Julius Cease Augustan Pompey How long was the Pax Romana? 400 years 300 years 200 years 100 years During the Pax Romana there was uniform system of law and a uniform system of _ this. Name with it is. Law Measurements Weights Money Standard 6K – Fall of the Roman Empire Over a 300-year period, the western part of the Roman Empire steadily declined because of internal and external problems.Causes for the decline of the Western Roman Empire are:Economy—The cost of defense and devaluation of Roman currencyMilitary—Army membership starting to include invaders, resulting in decline of disciplineMoral decay—People’s loss of faith in Rome and the familyPolitical problems—Civil wars and weak administration (The issue of succession and constant Imperial chaos)Invasion—Attacks on borders (From Germanic tribes and the groups like the Huns)In the later empire the capital moved from Rome to the city of Byzantium, renamed Constantinople to honor Constantine, the Emperor who moved the capital. The western world of Rome would survive until 476 AD., when it ceased to have a Roman Emperor. The Eastern Roman Empire called the Byzantine Empire would continue to survive for the next 1,000 years and not falling until the Turks captured the capital city in 1453. True of False. The fall of the Roman Empire was a long slow decline until its' end in 476 AD. Ture False What? Rome fell. Well did it get back up again? One political problem that led to the decline of Rome because it was never decided was? Name the problem. Devaluation of Roman currency People’s loss of faith in Rome Army membership include invaders The issue of succession When did the Western Roman Empire cease to exist? 1,453 AD 1000 AD 476 AD 313 AD In the Eastern Roman Empire, the capital city of Constantinople was named after this man. Who is it? Nero Julius Caesar Constantine Augustus