Leaders of Rome

Nero’s Rise to Power Age 16 – takes the throne

His mother convinces his stepfather to make Nero heir

Stepfather, Claudius, dies Characteristics:

ParanoidUnstable Cruel Self-absorbedProvider

Nerothe Good stuff

1. reduced taxes 2. Banned capital punishment 3. Forbade contests involving bloodshed 4. Sponsored artists, poets, and musicians5. No civil wars

Nero The Bad

1. Kills his whole family – including wife whose head was sent to him as a prize

2. Kills his former teacher3. Watches Rome burn

a. Blames the burning on the Christians

4. Built the Golden House which destroyed the Roman budget

Trajan Military officer Appointed governor of Germany Nerva (current emperor) adopts him98 C.E. – Trajan becomes emperor Characteristics:

Firm decision makerLove of his people Respectful and respected Modest personality

Trajan Accomplishments1. Reduced taxes 2. Increased free food distribution 3. Maintain a constant supply of grain 4. Subsidies – created special funds for the poor 5. Major building program – roads 6. Aqueduct

Trajan Accomplishments7. Forum 8. Puts down Dacian resistance and add them as a

province 9. Defeated the Parthians and took their land

Map of Roman Expansion

Hadrian Cousin of Trajan Served in military and political posts May or may not have been named successor Characteristics:

Loved learning Jealous – no criticism Willful and vengeful

Hadrian Accomplishments 1. Rebuilt a Greek city 2. Refomed the legal system

a. Appointed new judges to help b. Put all principles and procedures into one Roman

edict (document)

3. Sped up the legal process by adding more districts and judges

4. Managed provinces more directly a. Allowed him to hear what the people want

Hadrian Accomplishments 8. Stopped a rebellion by the Jewish people 9. Hadrian’s wall

a. In Britain b. 8 ft thick 20 ft high c. Had forts and watchtowers

Hadrian’s Wall

Inventions and Changes Aqueducts – transported water across large

distancesWater was held in tanks

Inventions and ChangesEconomy – farming

Gaul and Spain – Grapes and olives Britain and Egypt – grains

Economy – industry Pottery, weaving, jewelry Worked with glass, bronze, and brass

Economy – trading Two large Ports – Puteoli (near Naples) and Ostia

(near the Tiber)Traded as far as China and India

Roads and MoneyRoads – stretched 50,000 miles

(That is from here to California and back about 9 or 10 times)

Common Currency (money) Same money is used

everywhere Standard system of weights

and measures

Trade helped many but not all Farmers and city dwellers

remained port and/or enslaved