Augustus and the Pax Romana Caesar Augustus The

Augustus and the Pax Romana Caesar Augustus, The Vatican Museums, Rome

Review: After Julius Caesar’s assassination, who comprised the second triumvirate? Lepidus, Marc Antony and Octavian (later known as Caesar Augustus) Why was there a civil war between Octavian’s forces and Marc Antony’s forces? Octavian was opposed to Marc Antony’s alliance/relationship with Cleopatra. Both sought to control Rome.

Caesar Augustus • Octavian’s armies and Antony’s forces fought at the Battle of Actium in 31, B. C. E. where Octavian’s army crushed Antony’s forces. • Octavian then became the “Imperator” or Caesar Augustus, Emperor of Rome • Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide in Egypt a year later.

Republic or Empire? Early on, Augustus sought to restore the Roman Republic by giving some power back to the Senators. The senate, in return, gave Augustus great control of Rome, naming him “Imperator” or Emperor. Augustus had authority to appoint governors in Rome’s provinces which previously had been controlled by Senators. “Senatus Populusque Romanus” The Senate and People of Rome

Augustus was Rome’s first Emperor and he was a good one. The Pax Romana or “Roman Peace” begins with him. His accomplishments: 1. Expansion of the empire in Asia Minor, Southwest Asia and Europe (but not across the Danube River) His only military defeat would be here by Germanic tribes. 2. Stability of the three social classes, senatorial, equestrian and lower classes. There was mobility for some. 3. Developed a civil service – a way of hiring government workers based on education and experience. He made jobs available to the equestrian class. 4. Established rule by law – laws governed the people not arbitrary decisions.

Augustus’ Achievements - continued 5. Used a uniform money system which expanded trade. 6. Made the Roman roads safe for travel throughout the empire which increased trade. 7. Emphasized the importance of family. Paterfamilias - Ex. Julia

The Pax Romana was a 207 year period in which Rome experienced Peace, Prosperity and Stability POLITICAL • Augustus chose his successor – his stepson • Created a Civil Service IMPACT Some peaceful transition of power between emperors—but not always. Stability in government, even when emperors were unstable.

Political Impact Continued • Developed a uniform rule of law • Expanded territory into Greece, Southwest Asia and north including Britain Romans, rich and poor alike, were subject to the law. No one was above the law. Principle of innocence until proven guilty was established. Rome spread its influence and culture throughout the Mediterranean, Southwest Asia, Israel, Egypt, and Europe.

Pax Romana Economic Impact • Uniform money system • Safe travel on Roman roads Expanded Trade- Luxury goods imported into Rome – Gold coins leaving the empire Promoted prosperity and stability

Pax Romana Social Impact 1. Returned stability to social classes 2. Family becomes very important -Poor not sliding further into poverty -Social unrest minimal -Bread and Circus kept the poor masses happy Romans identified themselves by the male head of household --paterfamilias. Girls were named after their fathers – ex. Julia, Olivia.

The Emperors After Augustus, there were five “Good” Emperors in the Pax Romana period. Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antonius Pius and Marcus Aurelius

And then there were the bad emperors: Tiberius, Caligula, Nero ! Y Z A R C Rome’s civil servants kept the government operating smoothly despite crazy emperors.

By the third century, CE, the Pax Romana had ended and the empire had begun to crumble.