ROME’S GROWING EMPIRESocial Studies for 9th EGBTeacher: Mauricio Torres

When Rome became an Empire. It already controlled most of the Mediterranean world.

Augustus and other emperors that followed either sought to control hostile neighbors or to claim gold and resources for the empire.

Expansion

Expansion

By the 100s AD, Rome had conquered Gaul and much of Central Europe.

Under the rule of Claudius, they conquered much of Britain.

Asia Minor, Mesopotamia and the north of Africa, all belonged to Rome as well.

Spreading Out

The conquests of Rome promoted trade: People in Rome needed raw

materials that were lacking in Italy. These could be found on Roman provinces.

Traders brought metals, cloth and food from the provinces of the city. Also, from more exotic places, they

brought spices and silk. But not everything was going to

Rome. They created goods and sold them all over the empire.

Trade

To pay for these goods, Romans used currency, or money. These were coins made of gold or silver. These coins allowed the

Romans to trade with people even if they had no items their trade partners wanted.

Everyone accepted Roman coins!

Money

The first 200 years of the Empire were a time of general peace. Stable government and a well run army

helped Rome grow wealthy in safety. There were no major wars or rebellions.

This peaceful period of time is called Pax Romana.

It lasted until the 180s, with the death of Marcus Aurelius.

PAX Romana

During the Pax Romana, the empire’s population grew, trade increased and the quality of life in general improved for Rome and its provinces.

Positive Consequences

Identify: What kinds of resources did Romans want?

Recall: What areas did Romans take over during the early

100s? Who was the last emperor to rule during the Pax

Romana period? Make inferences:

Why would a Roman sailor be glad that Rome controlled the entire Mediterranean sea?

Elaborate: Why did trade increase during the Pax Romana?

Ask Yourself

Imagine you are a resident of the Republic from 200BC who has fallen asleep and awakes 200 years later in the Empire. How has life changed? What amazed you the most?

Day Dreaming!

Bibliography

Burstein, S. M., & Shek, R. (2012). World History (Teacher´s Edition) (1st Edition ed.). (H. McDougal, Ed.) Orlando, Florida, US.: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Ellis, E. G., & Esler, A. (2009). World History. (P. Hall, Ed.) Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, US: Pearson Education INC.

Images taken from www.google.com