The Birth of the The Birth of the Roman EmpireRoman Empire

Caesar in PowerCaesar in Power

60 BCE—Julius Caesar formed the FIRST 60 BCE—Julius Caesar formed the FIRST TRIMVIRATE (rule of 3) with Pompey and TRIMVIRATE (rule of 3) with Pompey and CrassusCrassus

Caesar’s popularity increased among the Caesar’s popularity increased among the poor Romanspoor Romans

After defeating Gaul, he led his troops After defeating Gaul, he led his troops into Rome and declared war on the into Rome and declared war on the Republic (civil war) and wonRepublic (civil war) and won

Then traveled to Egypt and declared Then traveled to Egypt and declared Cleopatra QueenCleopatra Queen

Rule of CaesarRule of Caesar

Caesar increased the members of Caesar increased the members of senate to 900, but decreased their senate to 900, but decreased their powerpower

Was killed on March 15Was killed on March 15thth—Ides of —Ides of March by supporters of PompeyMarch by supporters of Pompey

The ROMAN EMPIREThe ROMAN EMPIRE

The Second Triumvirate: Octavian The Second Triumvirate: Octavian (Caesar’s nephew), Marc Antony, and (Caesar’s nephew), Marc Antony, and LepidusLepidus

Power was split between Octavian to Power was split between Octavian to the west and Antony to the eastthe west and Antony to the east

Marc Anthony fell in love with Marc Anthony fell in love with Cleopatra while ruling in EgyptCleopatra while ruling in Egypt

Octavian forced the Senate to declare Octavian forced the Senate to declare war on Egypt ---Antony and Cleopatra war on Egypt ---Antony and Cleopatra committed suicidecommitted suicide

Octavian Octavian

In 27 BCE, Octavian declared himself In 27 BCE, Octavian declared himself “first citizen”“first citizen”

ROMAN EMPIRE BEGINSROMAN EMPIRE BEGINS Augustus (as Octavian is known as) Augustus (as Octavian is known as)

expands empire from Spain to Syria expands empire from Spain to Syria south to Egypt and north to Germanysouth to Egypt and north to Germany

Augustus’ reign began the PAX Augustus’ reign began the PAX ROMANA—200 years of Roman peace ROMANA—200 years of Roman peace but greatly reduced the power of the but greatly reduced the power of the SenateSenate

Julio Claudian EmperorsJulio Claudian Emperors

Relatives of Julius Caesar –the next 5 Relatives of Julius Caesar –the next 5 emperors known as the Julio Claudian emperors known as the Julio Claudian emperorsemperors

Caligula—brutal and insane; murderedCaligula—brutal and insane; murdered Claudius—conquered Britain but was Claudius—conquered Britain but was

murdered by his wifemurdered by his wife 54 BCE—Nero, the last Julio Claudian 54 BCE—Nero, the last Julio Claudian

emperor killed himself after being emperor killed himself after being blamed for the great fire of Romeblamed for the great fire of Rome

Five Good EmperorsFive Good Emperors

Problem: Rome never developed a rule Problem: Rome never developed a rule for selecting a new emperor---so many for selecting a new emperor---so many people declared themselves emperorpeople declared themselves emperor

69 CE—4 different emperors ruled 69 CE—4 different emperors ruled RomeRome

Flavian—first of the 5 Good EmperorsFlavian—first of the 5 Good Emperors Hadrian—born in Spain, understood Hadrian—born in Spain, understood

the needs of the provincesthe needs of the provinces Marcus Aurelius—great leader; more Marcus Aurelius—great leader; more

concerned with education than warsconcerned with education than wars

Marcus Aurelius

Be content with what you are, and Be content with what you are, and wish not change; nor dread your last wish not change; nor dread your last day, nor long for it.day, nor long for it.

Do every act of your life as if it were your last.

Hadrian’s Wall