Power Point 8 Slides--Pax Romana Flashcards
What is the definition of the Pax Romana as described on p 160 of your textbook?
A period of about 200 years where there was stability and relative peace within the empire created by Augustus.
• During this time, the growing city of Rome saw great improvements.
• Trade and production flourished in the provinces.
• Rome also expanded eastward
What were the important reforms and precedents made by Caesar Augustus?
Augustus created the office of emperor.
• Rebuilt effective government–Made provincial administration more orderly and improved its functioning.
• Paid his army for its services–Professionalized the army and awarded grants of land in the frontier provinces to veterans.
• Cared for the welfare of the provinces–Encouraged local self-government and the development of cities, As a spiritual bond between the provinces and Rome, Augustus encouraged the cult of Roma et Augustus (Rome and Augustus) as the guardian of the state. .
• Addressed the danger of various groups on Rome’s frontiers.
• Had temples, stadiums, marketplaces, and public buildings constructed in Rome and other cities.
What lesson did Augustus learn from his uncle Caesar?
Because his uncle had been so unpopular for taking on too much power (resulting in his assassination), Augustus wisely asserted all his power in the background.
• He did not create a new office for himself.
• Instead he gradually took over many of the offices that traditionally had been held by separate people.
He preferred the simple title of princeps, “the first one.”
Why was it important for Augustus to appeal to the people and how did he do this?
He needed the support of the people to maintain his power.
Because the people were mostly illiterate, he used visual propaganda to remind them of what he had done for them.
This included:
Statues, buildings, roads, baths, circuses, etc. –spent lavishly on the people;
Declarations promoted Roman power and prestige
He NEVER outwardly displayed his power and wealth to the people
Visible displays of popular Republican Traditions to show things were “back to normal” (ex. temples)
Allowed the Senate to continue existing, even though it had given most of its power to him.
Used the title PRINCEPS CIVITATIS “First Citizen”
Reduced taxes on the people, fixed prices
How did Augustus promote the model Roman Family?
Laws promoting old fashioned family values:
Released free women and freedwomen (female slaves who had been freed) from male guardianship if they had given birth to a certain number of children
Men and women who were unmarried or had no children were restricted in the inheritance of property.
Adultery committed by women was made a criminal act.
What was the “Key to Empire” and one of Rome’s greatest achievements as described by Professor Eagen?
Roman Roads: Eventually covered over 50,000 miles Helped military transport Facilitated trade Unified the expanding, diverse Roman territories into a sense of community, confidence and belonging to A SUPERIOR CULTURE
What was the purpose of the Triumphal Arches built in Rome?
They were monuments that boasted of Conquests and the Superiority of Roman Culture
