THE ROMAN EMPIRE

Chapter 6, Section 2

Roman Republic Collapses

Expansion = republican government becoming unstable

Discontent among lower class

Economic Turmoil and Military Upheaval

100 B.C.- 1/3 of Rome’s pop. was enslaved persons

Competition among farms Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus Generals seized power

New loyal soldiers, not loyal to the republic

Julius Caesar Takes Control

60 B.C.: joined forces with Crassus and Pomey

Elected to consul in 59 B.C. Triumvirate Disagreements with Pompey 44 B.C.: named dictator for life

Caesar’s Reforms

Absolute ruler Opened up citizenship Expanded the senate Created more jobs Assassination plot Caesar’s death

THE ROMAN EMPIRE

Section 2

Beginning of the Empire

Civil War Octavian, Mark Antony, and Lepidus Octavian vs. Mark Antony Cleopatra Octavian = Augustus

Important Facts

Cleopatra: b. 69 B.C. in Alexandria, Egypt; d. 30 B.C.

Daughter of Pharaoh Ptolemy XII Auletes Married her younger brother Ptolemy

XIII, after his death married her younger brother Ptolemy XIV; later married Mark Antony

Was the last pharaoh of Egypt; Rome took control of Egypt after her death

Committed suicide after Mark Antony

Vast and Powerful Empire

207 years, peace throughout the empire Pax Romana- “Roman Peace” 3 million square miles

A Sound Government

Efficient government Augustus

Stabilized the frontier Public buildings Civil service

Died in 14 A.D. Spain to Mesopotamia, N. Africa to

Britain

Roman Empire

Agriculture and Trade

Agriculture was the most important industry

Common coinage (denaruius) Vast trade network Complex road system

Road System

The Roman World

Values Discipline, strength,

and loyalty Honored strength more

than beauty Power more than grace Usefulness more than

elegance Living on the

countryside Living in Rome and

smaller cities

Slaves and Captivity

Significant part of Roman life Most were conquered peoples Roman law: slaves were property Cities and farms Gladiators No slave revolt was successful

More than 1 million died trying to gain freedom

Gods and Goddesses

Numina Lares- guardian spirits Government and religion linked

Deities were symbols of the state Jupiter Juno Minerva

Society and Culture

Large gap between social groups Colosseum Rise of Christianity