The Roman Empire Beginning with Augustus the Pax

The Roman Empire Beginning with Augustus, the Pax Romana meant that people didn’t have to worry about their safety Trade increased (throughout the known world!) Society “building” spread throughout the empire

Roman Literature Most influenced by Greek models. Most distinguished poet of the Augustan age was Virgil. "Omnia vincit amor " "Love conquers all” "Audentes fortuna iuvat" "Fortune favors the bold”

Art & Architecture The Romans adopted many features of the Greek style of art. The Romans excelled in architecture (columns and curvilinear forms: arch, vault, & dome).

1 st people in antiquity to develop and use concrete on a massive scale.

Roman Aqueduct

Roman Bridges

All Roads Led To Rome

Roman Daily Life Rome was overcrowded, noisy, & dangerous Insulae = apartment blocks for the poor/ high rent forced entire families to live in one room Due to conditions (heat and odors), Romans spent most of their time in the street

Most citizens of Rome were Romanof. Colosseum unemployed as a result the Latifundia (plantation) system of farming Entertainment = gladiator contestsanimals, slaves, & criminals would fight to death/ horse and chariot races at Circus Maximus/ free food (bread) Gladiators and wine were given to the spectators as a sort of unemployment solution Magnificent public buildings = baths, temples, theaters, markets

Circus Maximus

Economic life in the Empire Self-sustaining individual networks—the Saharan caravans, Arab and Chinese ships and most famously the Silk Routes linked at key cities such as Alexandria formed a truly intercontinental trading system.

Roman Religion Augustus revived early Roman religious festivals and ceremonies to bring back religion Beginning with Augustus, emperors were often declared gods and citizens asked to sacrifice to them – this guaranteed peace and prosperity

Tolerance of all religions that weren’t harmful to the state This includes the diefication of deceased Emperors!

Judaism Judaea was a Roman province Unrest was common among the Jewish inhabitants Romans destroyed the temple in Jerusalem in 70 ad and force many Jews from Jerusalem (Jewish Diaspora) Jesus (Jew) began to teach during the midst of the conflict

Ø Jesus as a profit of God (no room for “Emperor Gods” Ø Message of love, hope and Heaven appealing to the masses Ø Seen as a threat to Rome’s stability

Ø Denounced by Roman and Jewish leadership Ø Ø Tried and sentenced to death by the Prefect of Judea – Pontius Pilate

Ø By the order of Pontius Pilate Jesus is crucified Ø Loyal followers believe that he overcomes death

Ø The “gospel” of Jesus spreads throughout the Empire Ø Christian communities are founded in Asia Minor and along the Aegean Sea

At first, persecution is sporadic Ø In 303, Christian’s lost all legal rights Ø Later laws called for execution for failure to “sacrifice” to Roman Gods Ø The Christian Martyrs Last Prayer; Jean-Leon Gerome; 1883

Ø Grows slowly at first, but begins to appeal to the Romans for several reasons: Ø salvation for all Ø simple baptism Ø could relate to Jesus’ suffering Ø sense of belonging Ø More personal relationship with god

Ø Constantine becomes the first emperor to convert to Christianity Ø Constantine issues the Edict of Milan in 313 (official tolerance of Christianity)

Ø On February 27 th, 380, Emperor Theodosius makes Christianity the official religion of the empire Ø …he’s also the last Emperor to rule both the Eastern and Western halves of the Roman Empire…

Upon Theodosius’ death, the empire is permanently divided into eastern and western empires

Transformation of the Roman Empire The problem of “barbarians” – Celts – Germans – Steppe peoples, especially Huns upset balance of borders c. 370 C. E. Move of Goths into imperial territory to escape Huns

Transformation of the Roman Empire Plague!

410 sack of Rome by the Visogoths 476 abdication of last western emperor

Fall of Rome Many Germanic kingdoms over the years replaced the western empire Eastern Roman empire became known as the Byzantine Empire and thrived around Constantinople

Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) Resurgence under Justinian I (r. 527– 565 C. E. )

Justinian Code 529 ce The Emperor Justinian called on all of Rome’s existing laws to be “codified”. (collected and simplified into a clear and simple “code” of laws. ) “innocent until proven guilty” Many current legal systems around the world are based on the Justinian Code…

Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) Religious Disputes – Monophysites – Iconoclasm Lasts until 1453! Nearly 1, 000 years longer than the eastern half…

What is the Legacy of the Roman Empire? Linguistic Legal Urban Transformation of Roman administration by Christian church ETC…. what can you think of?

Contributions Roman Law – – all equal guaranteed legal protection Architecture – – roads, aqueducts, bridges arch, dome, concrete Latin – – Romance languages: Spanish, French, Italian ½ of English words

The Fall of the Roman Empire …any theories? ?

The Fall of The Roman Empire Political Causes – inefficient and corrupt Government – empire too big – succession problems led to civil wars

interested in luxury instead of patriotism sharp class distinctions Plague! Lead poisoning from water pipes caused mental decline SOCIAL CAUSES

small farmers abandoned land to big estates (latifundia), less productive economic decline due to large estates’ self-sufficiency heavy taxation destroyed peoples willingness to work slaves led to unemployment ECONOMIC CAUSES

Warlike spirit weakened by Christian teachings of peace Barbarian mercenaries in army armies set government policy MILITARY CAUSES

…and many more reasons. What reasons can you think of? Do you think it was a single reason or several?