(Octavian) Augustus 31BC-(Octavian) Augustus 31BC-14AD14AD• 27BC receives the title of

Augustus, Princeps, imperator

• From this point on he is considered emperor

• Begins the Pax Romana 31BC-180AD

The Reforms of AugustusThe Reforms of Augustus• Kept the Republican constitution (relationship with

the Senate? Dignitas?)– Thought of himself as first citizen of the Republic

• Revived Roman morality (Fides, Pietas, Gravitas)

• Police and Fire departments• Public Works• Postal service, local government given more

authority• Strong control and reorganization of the army• Praetorian Guard created• Census for entire empire

Tiberius 14-37 ADTiberius 14-37 AD• Married to Augustus's

daughter Julia• Came to power when

Augustus’s two grandsons Gaius and Lucius died early

Gaius (Caligula) or “Bootsie”Gaius (Caligula) or “Bootsie”37-41AD37-41AD

• Grandson of Augustus• Only surviving son of

Germanicus• Tiberius killed or exiled

his entire family• Co-Emperor with

Gemellus (until he killed him)

Caligula’s weirdnessCaligula’s weirdness• Why?

• Living god?

• Incest with Drusila

• Statues

• Horse as a Consul/Senator?

• Killed by his own guard

Claudius 41-54AD• Brother of Germanicus

• Never supposed to rule (problems)

• Raised to the throne by the Praetorians

• Accomplishments– Conquered and occupied Great Britain

• 2 children and one stepson (Nero)

• Poisoned by his wife Agrippina (Nero’s Mom)

Nero (54-68AD)Nero (54-68AD)

• Emperor at 16

• Murder (who)

• The arts– Final words!

• Fire/Christians

• The End of Nero

The Flavian DynastyThe Flavian Dynasty(The Military Emperors)(The Military Emperors)

• 4 Emperors in one year (68-69AD) before the Flavians take over

• Vespasian (69-81AD)– Designed the coliseum– Successful general

• Titus– Completed construction of the (“Flavian

Amphitheater”)

The Good EmperorsThe Good Emperors• The Adoptive system more widely used• Trajan (98-117AD)

– Spanish, expands empire to its greatest extent

• Hadrian (117-138AD)– Codified Roman law (same for all provinces)– Defensive wall in G.B. 73 miles long

• Marcus Aurelius (161-180AD)– Last of the good emperors (“Philosopher King”)

• Spent most of his time fighting Germans• His son Commodus begins the decline of the

empire

Rome at its greatest extent Rome at its greatest extent 117AD117AD

Achievements of the Pax RomanaAchievements of the Pax Romana• peace, order, unity and

prosperity– Prosperity (All roads lead to Rome)

• Protection on roads and at sea

– Law and order (unifies law code)– Unity: Civus Romanus Sum (70

mil)– Bread And Circuses

• Conceal social and economic problems

Art, Architecture and EngineeringArt, Architecture and Engineering• Circus Maximus / Coliseum• Aqueducts (Greek vaults and

arches)• Concrete (Rounded dome)• Mosaics

Roman AqueductsRoman Aqueducts

The Coming of ChristianityThe Coming of Christianity

• The Roman religion– Polytheistic– Ancestor worship (home) and state religion– No moral code, pragmatic– Demanded no special lifestyle from followers– Just need to respect the gods (sacrifice)– Anthropomorphism– Rituals, taboos, superstitions and traditions

Early ChristianityEarly Christianity

• A new sect of Judaism

• Concentrated in East and N. Africa at 1st

• Emphasis on life after death

• 29 AD Jesus turned over to Pontius Pilate

Problems with RomeProblems with Rome• Obey laws but no Caesar worship

– treason

• No games, no service to the army

• Incest? Cannibalism?

• Persecutions (Why?)

• The effect of martyrs

• Appeal?– Egalitarian, more personal, salvation and

eternal life

The Impact of ChristianityThe Impact of Christianity

• Saul of Tarsus (Became Paul in 35 AD)– Helped separate Judaism and Christianity

• Christian Literature– St. Augustine The City of God– Provides answers to imp. questions