The Roman Empire

Julius and

Augustus Caesar

A “Man of the People”Julius Caesar was a victorious General and politician

who used bread and circuses to win power.He enacted reforms that helped plebeians at the

expense of the Patricians• He gives land to the poor• Forces Patricians to hire people• Gives tax breaks to plebeian merchant• Makes all Italians citizens • Adds Senators from the provinces45 BC The enlarged Senate made him

“Dictator for Life”

The Ides of March

The new Senators and the people loved Caesar but the patricians did not, as he has taken away their power

They accused him of wanting to be King!

On March 15th 44 BC while leaving the Senate Caesar was stabbed to death beneath Pompey’s statue

The Senate & People of Rome gave three menOctavian (Julius’ heir), Lepidus & the general Mark Anthony power to rule so they

could to hunt down the assassins. But soon they fought amongst themselves…Octavian built up political power in RomeLepidus was soon marginalized politicallyMark Anthony went to Egypt where he got

involved with the Queen Cleopatra32 BC Octavian and the Senate declare war on the

“Egyptianized” Anthony.Anthony is defeated at Sea at Actium

PAX AUGUSTA27 BC – 14 AD

27 BC Senate votes to grants the Consular and Tribunal power to Octavian for life

He become the first Emperor and is given the title:

Augustus

“Princeps” Augustus ruled for 41 years during which the Empire was peaceful stable and generally prosperous

Roman Law

Augustus also established two law codes:

Jus Civile: for citizens

Jus Gentium: for others

212 AD citizenship was granted to all freeborn men in the empire

and the Jus Civile was extended to all.

Roman Legal PrinciplesSix lasting Principles of Roman Law are:

1. Rule of Law: No one is above the Law

2. All citizens are equal before the Law

3. That one is Innocent until proven Guilty

4. That unfair laws can be set aside

5. The burden of proof is on the accuser

6. S. P. Q. R. that the right to rule comes from the people