Pax Romana

Madnick/Global History 9

The Basics

Pax Romana

• Latin for “Roman Peace”

• 27 BCE-180 CE

• 200 years of peace and great achievement in the Roman Empire

• the Golden Age of Rome

The Background

Julius Caesar

• 59-51 BCE conquered Gaul (France)• Became a famous military hero in Rome• 49 BCE “Crossed the Rubicon”– crossed the Rubicon River with his army & entered the city of Rome--fought for 5 years against the rest of the Roman army civil war -war between people in the same country

The Background

Julius Caesar 49 BCE made himself dictator of Rome

dictator- a single ruler with absolute power

By doing this...

Caesar created the Roman EmpireEmpire- a collection of regions and people led by a ruler

with absolute power

March 15, 44 BCE—

Killed on the Senate floor by 2 unhappy senators,Brutus & Cassius

The Background

Caesar’s nephew took over

Augustus CaesarWon a famous battle--Battle of Actium,31 BCE

-defeated his sworn enemy, Marc Antony-added Egypt to the Roman Empire-became very popular in Rome

The Senate made him dictator for 10 years

-Augustus stayed in power for over 40 yrs.-every leader after Augustus was called an

Emperor

Under Augustus, Rome went from Republic to Empire

Pax Romana

The Pax Romana started under Augustus (27 BCE-180 CE)Augustus….

• brought Roman justice and laws to all provinces• built a huge army to protect Roman borders from

invasion• united Roman people under one leader• Romans could concentrate on art, architecture,

technology, literature, etc

“Augustus found Rome built of brick, and left it built of marble.”

Technology

Transportation system connected all parts of the empire

Roman roads & aqueducts --bridge-like structures that carry water by using gravity allowed people, armies, and trade caravans to travel

quickly through empire

Architecture

• Rome borrowed Greek columns and building designs

• Added arches and domes to post and beam architecture

Art

Rome borrowed Greek ideas of beauty and realism

Took realism further by making people look really real, not just perfect and beautiful

Cultural Diffusion during the Pax Romana

Roman culture spread through the Empire

• Roman laws & justice for all• Latin language blended with local languages to form: Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese• Gladiator sports/coliseums everywhere• Religion: Roman polytheism; eventfully Christianity