Pax Romana & Emperors (Good, Bad, and Very, Very Bad!)

Dr. East

2/4/2014

Begins with death of Caesar

• Remember him? • First Triumvirate (Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey)• Then Caesar crosses Rubicon River to seize power in

Rome• Lover was Cleopatra VII• Declared “Dictator for Life”• Murdered in Senate chambers (by Brutus amongst

others) • Heir was Ocatvian, who later defeated Marc Anthony

and Cleopatra VIII for control of Rome… Ocatvian becomes known as Augustus, Rome’s First Emperor (not longer are their elected Consuls)

During the time the Pax Romana

• What does “Pax” mean?

• Augustus Caesar began his reign by establishing a Roman Empire that had a strong civil service, rule by law, a common coinage, and secure travel and trade throughout the empire.

• This lasted for about 200 years

Events and Accomplishments of Pax Romana

1. Empire’s borders expanded2. Uniform system of money (common coinage)

eased trade 3. Trade was eased thanks to safe, strong road

system4. Social classes had stability, families could

prosper, more emphasis placed on strength of family units than in Greek civ.

5. Civil Service System prospered, Civil Service System run by “Equestrian Class”… what’s the origin of this term?

6. Equestrians administered with uniform laws

Emperors Ran the Show

• Some were good, some were rather bad, some had short reigns or shared power

• Now you guys describe your findings about some of the most famous Emperors of Pax Romana …