• 1. Pick up the papers by the door.
• 2. Identify at least one accomplishment of the following people:
– Julius Caesar - Marcus Brutus
– The Gracchi
– Spartacus
– Marius and Sulla
- Mark Antony
- Octavian
• 3. Copy down homework: Read pages 153-157 in your CLASS TEXTBOOK! (not AP chapter packet).

• 1. Bellringer
• 2. Notes: Pax Romana (Page #)
• 3. Activity: Postcards from the Pax
Romana (Page #)
• 4. Reading: Pax Romana (time permitting)

• Starts in 27 BCE when Octavian became
Augustus Caesar
– He was the 1st emperor of Rome.
• The Pax (“peace”)
Romana was two centuries of peace, prosperity, and achievements under imperial rule.
From 27 BCE to 180 CE

• Augustus dies in AD 14.
• 4 emperors who follow are the Julian emperors = all related to Julius Caesar.

• Very unpopular
• Known for making poor decisions and for attacking his enemies.
• Said that ruling
Rome was like
“holding a wolf by it’s ears.” http://www.pbs.org/empires/romans/empire/tiberius.html

• Caligula takes over in
AD 37.
• Grand- nephew to
Tiberius
• Brutal, corrupt, mentally disturbed
• Names his horse to be a consul.
• Assassinated in AD
41. http://www.aeria.phil.unierlangen.de/photo_html/portraet/roemisch/kaiserzeit/benannt/caligula/caligu4.JPG

• Paralyzed uncle of
Caligula takes over in AD
41.
• Very smart, great leader.
• His humility made him very popular
• Dies in AD 54
• Stepson Nero takes the throne http://www.pbs.org/empires/romans/empire/claudius.html

• Got the crazy genes from
Caligula.
• Had mother, wife, and many senators murdered.
• Persecuted Christians
• Paranoid, commits suicide http://www.pbs.org/empires/romans/empire/nero.html

• In next year, 4 generals lead Rome (“The
Year of the Four Emperors”).
• Vespasian eventually wins, starts rule in
AD 69. (rules for ten years)
– Extends Roman citizenship to all men in military.
• Sons Titus and Domitian take over.

• 96 to 180 CE
1. Nerva
2. Trajan
3. Hadrian
4. Antonius Pius
5. Marcus Aurelius

 Emperor from 96-98 CE
 His reign brings stability to Roman
Empire
 “Adopted” an “heir” (Trajan)
 Trajan controlled German provinces = adoption was also a military alliance
 Knew less about foreign affairs, military
 Repaired roads and aqueducts, Coliseum

 One of the 5 Good Emperors
 Goal: maintain peace
 Forged cooperation between the Senate and ruling classes
 Focused on citizens’ welfare, creating building projects
 Called “Optimus Princeps” (best ruler)

 Emperor of Rome from 117-138 CE
 Goal: strengthen empire
 Started building projects
 Hadrian’s Wall
 Temple of Venus

 Emperor from 138-161 CE
 Served in the gov’t under Hadrian
 Completed Hadrian’s public works projects, started small ones of his own
 Built a temple in honor of Hadrian
 Waged wars against the Britons, made peace with peoples of the East

 Emperor of Rome from 161-180 CE
 A philosopher and an emperor
 Student of philosophy, wrote Meditations
(Stoicism)
 Fought conflicts against Rome’s northern neighbors (Germans, Parthians) and expands borders
 Last “good” emperor in Rome
 Remembered for his writings and his rule

• Stable government
– Roman legal system
– Unified the administration of justice
– Legions patrolled borders
– Civil Service
– Postal System

• Built roads all over Rome (trade and moving the legions)
• Imported many materials
– EX: beef, corn, iron, lead and wool (from
Britain), marble, purple dye, spices, etc.
• Common currency, paid no custom dues

• Blended with Greek designs
• Romans used Greek columns (but more elaborate!)
• Developed arches and domes (from
Etruscans)

• Roads, harbors, and bridges
• Aqueducts – bridgelike structures used to carry fresh water across long distances

• Hypocaust
– Underfloor heating
• Public Health
– Public Baths
– Sewer System

• Roman culture spreads as Roman Empire grows via conquest
– Non-citizens who fight for Rome? Become citizens after service
• Rome = had about 1 million people (and growing)
• Large gap between rich and poor still exists
• Slaves = about 1/3 of population in Rome
– Two major roles: Slave labor or work as gladiators
• Role of festivals
– Religious
– To distract people from Rome’s problems
– Involved free games, races, battles in Coliseum, etc.

YOU MUST INCLUDE
SPECIFIC HISTORICAL
INFORMATION ON EACH
CARD.
WHEN YOU INCLUDE A
SPECIFIC PIECE OF
INFORMATION ABOUT THE
PAX ROMANA, UNDERLINE
THOSE WORDS!