Rome Rise & Decline Notes Flashcards
What were the 2 periods of Roman Government
Roman Republic
Roman Empire
What was the Roman Empire?
There were to periods of the Roman government
Rome technically had an “empire” under Roman Republic
Roman Republic Times
509 bc- 31 bc
Roman Empire times
31 bc-476 ad
Rome technically had an “empire” under roman republic
What does the term “Roman Empire” refer to?
Refers to the time period, beginning with Augustus (Octavian) when Rome was ruled by emperors
Octavian becomes Augustus
Octavian was sole ruler of Rome after his forces defeated Antony and Cleopatra in the battle of Actium
The senate gave him the name “Augustus” meaning “most high”
Octavian now rendered to as Augustus, was made consul for life by the senate
Octavian/Augustus was declared consul for life by the senate
Also made “princeps” meaning “first citizen”
Also made “imperator” meaning “successful general”
Also made “pontifex Maximus” or chief religious leader
Princeps gives us the origin of what word
Prince
Imperator gives us the origin of what word
Emperor
Pontifex Maximus gives us the origin of what word
Origin of the word “pontiff” used to describe the Pope today
Prionus inter pares means what
First among equals
First among equals:
Augustus and some later emperors tried to maintain the facade that they were elected officials rather than dictators
Being “first among equals” gave the illusion that an emperor was the most prestigious and important member of the roman senate, but that each senator was simultaneously equally important
In reality roman emperors ruled with little input from anyone else
Rome under Augustus: the golden age
Attempted to reform public morales by promoting family life (largely unsuccessful)
Began the practice of declaring emperors gods and picking their own successors
It is said that Augustus “found time a city of bricks and left it in a city of marble”
Firefighting departments were established
Architecture and engineering
A large part of times success was due to the importance it placed on building and maintaining
Concrete was the key to Rome’s ability to build massive public works
After fall of Rome, secret of concrete would be lost until 18th century
Pax Romana means…
Roman Peace
Pax Romana
Rome controlled the entire Mediterranean region and beyond
This peace lasted nearly 200 years
More and more provincials were granted official Roman citizenship
Roman Emperors after Augustus
The office of emperors was initially designed to be hereditary
The office of emperor was initially designed to be hereditary
From the start there was confusion as to which family member would inherit throne
Some emperors were cutthroats, insane, or both
The military came to play and enormous role in selecting who would become emperor
Tiberius Caligula
Abolished assembly
Earned his name “Caligula” meaning “little boots” by the Roman army as a child (liked to dress like a soldier)
Murdered and/or exiled members of family and perceived enemies
Assassinated in 41 ad by members of praetorian gaura (his personal bodyguard)
Claudius
Became emperor because he was the last surviving adult male of his family
Conducted a census of the empire in 48 ad
When Claudius conducted a census, how many Roman citizens were there
(Not including slaves, freedmen, and non-citizens)
5,984,072
Nero
Came to power after his mother poisoned his predecessor Claudius
Murdered his mother, stepbrother, and his two wives
The Fire in Rome(64 ad) happened when he was emperor
He was forced I commit suicide
FIRE IN ROME IN 64 AD
Nero was accused of setting the fire and of fiddling while the city burned
Nero blamed the fire on the Christians (new religious group)
Nero forced to commit suicide:
Nero was the last male member of his family
No other descendants of Augustus or Tiberius were left
