The Roman EmpireThe Roman Empire27BC-476AD27BC-476AD

Fall of RomeFall of Rome

► Economic CausesEconomic Causes

Heavy taxes.Heavy taxes.

Population decline.Population decline.► Social CausesSocial Causes

Erosion of traditional Erosion of traditional values.values.

Self-serving upper Self-serving upper class.class.

““Bread and circuses”.Bread and circuses”.

► Political CausesPolitical Causes

Oppressive Oppressive government.government.

Corrupt officials.Corrupt officials.

Divided empire.Divided empire.► Military CausesMilitary Causes

Germanic invasions.Germanic invasions.

Weakened Roman Weakened Roman legions.legions.

Augustus Augustus ► Augustus was the first emperor of RomeAugustus was the first emperor of Rome ► His real name was Octavian but he was His real name was Octavian but he was

given the name 'Augustus' by the senate as given the name 'Augustus' by the senate as an honour for his great achievementsan honour for his great achievements

► He defeated Mark Anthony together with He defeated Mark Anthony together with the famous Egyptian queen Cleopatrathe famous Egyptian queen Cleopatra

► With the senate of Rome, He created a new With the senate of Rome, He created a new constitution for the great empireconstitution for the great empire

► Augustus built roads, aqueducts and Augustus built roads, aqueducts and

buildingsbuildings for Romefor Rome

Marcus Cocceis Marcus Cocceis NervaNerva

96 AD – 98 AD96 AD – 98 AD► Born November 8, 30 AD Born November 8, 30 AD ► Became emperor in September Became emperor in September

1818thth, 96 AD, 96 AD Since the prior emperor, Domitian, Since the prior emperor, Domitian,

had no sucessors, this was the first had no sucessors, this was the first time the senate had to decide who time the senate had to decide who became the new emperor. Nerva became the new emperor. Nerva was appointed as ruler in 96 AD. was appointed as ruler in 96 AD. He was elected in his late sixties He was elected in his late sixties and was wise and couragous. Since and was wise and couragous. Since he had no heir to the throne, he he had no heir to the throne, he took it upon himself to appoint his took it upon himself to appoint his next ruler. In 97 AD, he chose next ruler. In 97 AD, he chose Marcus Ulpius Trajanus. Nerva’s Marcus Ulpius Trajanus. Nerva’s became remembered for the became remembered for the nomination of Trajan to rule the nomination of Trajan to rule the empire. empire.

► Nerva died in 98 ADNerva died in 98 AD

Marcus Ulpius Marcus Ulpius TrajanusTrajanus

98 AD- 117 AD98 AD- 117 AD► Born on September 18Born on September 18thth, 53 AD, 53 AD► Became emperor on January 28Became emperor on January 28thth, 98 AD, 98 AD

Trajan was a man of character and who Trajan was a man of character and who spent most of his life in the military service. spent most of his life in the military service. He specialty was in battles and using He specialty was in battles and using strategy against the enemy. strategy against the enemy.

► New laws Trajan setNew laws Trajan set Senate must always be informed about what Senate must always be informed about what

is going on is going on Sovereign’s right to rule was compatible with Sovereign’s right to rule was compatible with

freedom for those who were ruledfreedom for those who were ruled No senators could be put to deathNo senators could be put to death

► Financial ProblemsFinancial Problems During Trajan’s reign the treasury ran low During Trajan’s reign the treasury ran low

and must be refilled. Most emperors would and must be refilled. Most emperors would just put heavy taxation on the citizens, but just put heavy taxation on the citizens, but Trajan instead took money from the luxury of Trajan instead took money from the luxury of his own household and public departments. his own household and public departments. He also suppressed monopolies which largely He also suppressed monopolies which largely reduce corruption in the economy. reduce corruption in the economy.

Marcus Ulpius Marcus Ulpius TrajanusTrajanus

► Military Action Military Action Campaign of Danube Campaign of Danube

(101AD to 106AD)(101AD to 106AD)► 101 AD, Trajan organized 101 AD, Trajan organized

first Dacian expeditionfirst Dacian expedition Forced his way through Forced his way through

rough terrain and got rough terrain and got past “iron gates”.past “iron gates”.

Captured the Dacian Captured the Dacian capitalcapital

► 103 AD Trajan went to 103 AD Trajan went to battle againbattle again

Destroyed the Dacian’s Destroyed the Dacian’s kingdom in 104 ADkingdom in 104 AD

Battle for Armenia (113 Battle for Armenia (113 AD to 116 AD)AD to 116 AD)

► Trajan headed east to the Trajan headed east to the Euphrates where the Euphrates where the Parthians settled.Parthians settled.

► King Chosroes pleaded King Chosroes pleaded for peace but Romans for peace but Romans took Armenia and took Armenia and MesopotamiaMesopotamia

Marcus AureliusMarcus Aurelius161 AD- 180 AD161 AD- 180 AD

► Born April 26Born April 26thth, 121 AD, 121 AD► Became emperor in March 7Became emperor in March 7thth, 161 , 161

ADAD Miliatry ActionMiliatry Action

► War against ParthiaWar against Parthia Roman victories at Dura Europa, Roman victories at Dura Europa,

Ctesiphon Ctesiphon ► First Marcomanni WarFirst Marcomanni War

Marcus Aurelius defeats Marcomanni Marcus Aurelius defeats Marcomanni and Quadi by 174. and Quadi by 174.

► Second Marcomanni WarSecond Marcomanni War Marcus Aurelius advances to Bohemia Marcus Aurelius advances to Bohemia

and Carpathian mountains. There he and Carpathian mountains. There he dies.dies.

► Avidius CassiusAvidius Cassius        Roman general under Marcus Roman general under Marcus

Aurelius Aurelius ► he was sent to the East to counter the he was sent to the East to counter the

Parthian threat from 162 AD-165 AD. Parthian threat from 162 AD-165 AD. He defeated the Parthians, and was He defeated the Parthians, and was made by Aurelius the head of all made by Aurelius the head of all military east of Egypt. military east of Egypt.

► Later on, Cassius lead a revolt against Later on, Cassius lead a revolt against Rome but was defeatedRome but was defeated

Lucius Aurelius Lucius Aurelius CommodusCommodus

180 AD- 192 AD180 AD- 192 AD► Born on august 31th, 161 ADBorn on august 31th, 161 AD► Became emperor in March 17Became emperor in March 17thth, ,

180 AD180 AD► Commodus began what is known Commodus began what is known

as the downfall for Romeas the downfall for Rome Made peace with the bordering Made peace with the bordering

barbariansbarbarians Returned to Rome where he lived Returned to Rome where he lived

for the entertainmentfor the entertainment Plots against were found out and Plots against were found out and

suppressedsuppressed Commodus was strangled in his Commodus was strangled in his

bed by a paid assassin in 192 ADbed by a paid assassin in 192 AD

Constantine the Constantine the Great Great

► Constantine the great was the first Constantine the great was the first Christian emperor of the Roman Christian emperor of the Roman empireempire

► He defeated all the other would-be He defeated all the other would-be emperors and re-united the empire, emperors and re-united the empire, which had been divided between which had been divided between many rulersmany rulers

► He also decided to move the capital He also decided to move the capital of the empire from Rome to a town of the empire from Rome to a town called Byzantium, which he called Byzantium, which he renamed after himself - renamed after himself - Constantinopolis Constantinopolis

► He also called together many He also called together many bishops for the Council of Nicaea at bishops for the Council of Nicaea at which the exact nature of the which the exact nature of the Christian religion was definedChristian religion was defined

NeroNero► Nero was crazy Nero was crazy ► He became emperor because He became emperor because

his mother murdered his step-his mother murdered his step-father,father, emperor Claudius emperor Claudius

► During his rule much of Rome During his rule much of Rome burnt down in the Great Fire burnt down in the Great Fire of Romeof Rome

► After this he built himself a After this he built himself a magnificent palace on the magnificent palace on the land cleared by the fire land cleared by the fire

► There were rumours that he There were rumours that he had started the fire himself, had started the fire himself, he blamed the Christians for it he blamed the Christians for it and then had many captured and then had many captured and thrown to the lions in the and thrown to the lions in the circuscircus

Justinian Justinian ► Justinian was considered the last Justinian was considered the last

great emperorgreat emperor Western part of Rome had fell to Western part of Rome had fell to

the barbariansthe barbarians His great generals Belisarius and His great generals Belisarius and

Narses reconquered many parts Narses reconquered many parts of the empireof the empire

► Manages to obtain even the Manages to obtain even the city of Romecity of Rome

Justinian also gathered all the Justinian also gathered all the roman laws and created a unified roman laws and created a unified code of lawscode of laws

► These laws were known to set These laws were known to set the basis for the western half the basis for the western half of the world of the world

He also built many great He also built many great buildings in his capital, buildings in his capital, ConstantinopleConstantinople

Justinian’s most well known work Justinian’s most well known work is the great church Santa Sophia, is the great church Santa Sophia, which today is the famous which today is the famous mosque 'Aya Sophia' in the mosque 'Aya Sophia' in the Turkish city of Istanbul.Turkish city of Istanbul.

Early Politics & EconomicsEarly Politics & Economics► Two SystemsTwo Systems

Civil Law.Civil Law.► Foreigners.Foreigners.

Law of Nations.Law of Nations.► Roman citizenship.Roman citizenship.

► SenateSenate 300 Patricians.300 Patricians. 2 Consuls.2 Consuls. Dictator.Dictator. Plebeians.Plebeians.

► Tribunes.Tribunes.► Veto.Veto.

► Trade RoutesTrade Routes Loot, taxes, commerce.Loot, taxes, commerce. Latifundia.Latifundia. Gap between rich and poor.Gap between rich and poor. Virtues replaced.Virtues replaced.

Empire Politics & EconomicsEmpire Politics & Economics► Augustus FoundationAugustus Foundation

Senate with civil service.Senate with civil service. High-level jobs.High-level jobs. Self-government.Self-government.

► Economic ReformsEconomic Reforms Census.Census. Postal Service.Postal Service. New Coins.New Coins. Roads, temples, farmland.Roads, temples, farmland.

► CrisisCrisis Emperors.Emperors. High taxes and High taxes and

bureaucracy.bureaucracy. Diocletian division.Diocletian division.

Military ExpansionMilitary Expansion

Roman ReligionRoman Religion

► Early RepublicEarly Republic Gods and Goddesses.Gods and Goddesses.

► Etruscans and Greeks.Etruscans and Greeks.► Jupiter, Juno, Neptune, Jupiter, Juno, Neptune,

Poseidon, Mars.Poseidon, Mars. Feasts & Celebrations.Feasts & Celebrations.

► Temples.Temples.► Statues.Statues.► Festivals.Festivals.

► Early EmpireEarly Empire Christianity.Christianity.

► Jesus and his followers.Jesus and his followers.► Expanding through Paul.Expanding through Paul.

Persecution.Persecution.► Nero and scapegoat.Nero and scapegoat.

TimelineTimeline509BC509BC Roman Republic.Roman Republic.

264-241BC264-241BC Navy battles Carthage. Gained Sicily, Navy battles Carthage. Gained Sicily, Corsica, Corsica, Sardina.Sardina.

236BC236BC Conquered Gauls in Po Valley.Conquered Gauls in Po Valley.

218BC218BC Hannibal invades during Punic Wars.Hannibal invades during Punic Wars.

203BC203BC Carthaginians defeated in Zama. Carthaginians defeated in Zama. Gained Gained territories in Spain.territories in Spain.

149BC149BC Overtake Macedonia in third Macedonia Overtake Macedonia in third Macedonia War.War.

146BC146BC Controlled Greeks.Controlled Greeks.

133BC133BC Kingdom of Pergamum given to Rome.Kingdom of Pergamum given to Rome.

49BC49BC Ceasar crosses Rubicon River. Civil War Ceasar crosses Rubicon River. Civil War begins.begins.

44BC44BC Ceasar assasinated.Ceasar assasinated.

31BC31BC Julius Caesar’s son Octavious defeats Julius Caesar’s son Octavious defeats Atony Atony and Cleopatra at Battle of Actium. and Cleopatra at Battle of Actium. Annexation Annexation of Egypt.of Egypt.

29BC29BC Pax Romana begins.Pax Romana begins.

27BC27BC Roman Republic ends. Empire begins Roman Republic ends. Empire begins under under Octavious Augustus. Three Roman Octavious Augustus. Three Roman Legions Legions slaughetered by Arminius.slaughetered by Arminius.

25BC25BC Celtic kingdom, Galatia join empire.Celtic kingdom, Galatia join empire.

6BC6BC Paphlagania joined empire.Paphlagania joined empire.

9AD9AD Varus legions destroyed in Germany.Varus legions destroyed in Germany.

41AD41AD Claudius invades Britain in Battle of Claudius invades Britain in Battle of Medway.Medway.

66AD66AD Jewish Revolt. Vespasian legions in Jewish Revolt. Vespasian legions in Judaea. Judaea. Josepheus surrenders.Josepheus surrenders.

69AD69AD Civil War, fight for throne.Civil War, fight for throne.

79-117AD79-117AD Domitian built forts in Germany.Domitian built forts in Germany.

114AD114AD Armenia became Roman province.Armenia became Roman province.

116AD116AD Adiabene and Mesopotamia Adiabene and Mesopotamia conquered.conquered.

117AD117AD Trajan builds wall across N.Britain to Trajan builds wall across N.Britain to protect protect frontier from Caledonia.frontier from Caledonia.

251AD251AD Defeated by Goths. Took Balkans and Defeated by Goths. Took Balkans and Anatolia. Anatolia.

270-275AD270-275AD Aurelian abandons Dacia to Germans. Aurelian abandons Dacia to Germans. Empire Empire divides.divides.

392AD392AD Christianity becomes official religion Christianity becomes official religion by by Theodosius.Theodosius.

400AD400AD Battle Huns and Germans. Alaric Battle Huns and Germans. Alaric invades invades Italy.Italy.

410AD410AD Lose British and Gaul assistance. Lose British and Gaul assistance. Sacked by Sacked by Alaric.Alaric.

476AD476AD Odoacer. Germanic leader seizes Odoacer. Germanic leader seizes Rome.Rome.

BibliographyBibliography

http://www.resourcesforhistory.com/map.htm#helphttp://www.resourcesforhistory.com/map.htm#help

http://www.personal.kent.edu/~bkharvey/roman/expansion/http://www.personal.kent.edu/~bkharvey/roman/expansion/exprep.htmexprep.htm

Elisabeth Gaynor Ellis and Anthony Esler. Elisabeth Gaynor Ellis and Anthony Esler. World History: World History: Connections to TodayConnections to Today.Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2001. .Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2001. p 128-151.p 128-151.