Lesson 8.4
“The Early Empire”
The Emperor Augustus
What term is used to
describe the 200 year
period of peace in Rome?
The Pax Romana
(Roman Peace)
Name 3 things Augustus did
to create a strong and safe empire.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
He created a permanent army
He took over more land
He imported grain to feed the poor
He improved the government
He reformed the legal system
How was Augustus a
“hands on” ruler in Rome?
He traveled to the provinces
to check up on the governors,
the people he put in charge
to rule the provinces.
How did Augustus reform
the Roman tax system?
Before tax collectors paid the gov’t
for the right to collect the taxes (and
they kept some for themselves.)
Under Augustus tax collectors were
government workers.
What were the names of
the four family members
who ruled Rome after
Augustus’ death?
Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius
and Nero
Name one major
accomplishment of Tiberius.
1. He was a great military leader
2. He regulated business to prevent
fraud
3. He kept Rome’s economy stable
Name one major
accomplishment of Caligula.
1. He abolished sales tax
2. He allowed exiled people to return
to Rome
3. He increased the court’s power
Name one major
accomplishment of Claudius.
1. He built a new harbor
2. He built a new aqueduct
3. He conquered most of Britain
Name one major
accomplishment of Nero.
1. He built many new buildings
2. He gave slaves some rights
3. He helped cities suffering from
disasters
Which two Julio-Claudian
rulers were considered to be
cruel?
Caligula and Nero
Unity and Prosperity
What happened to Rome after
Nero’s suicide?
Rome was in disorder
and unstable
What leader restored peace
and order in Rome?
Vespasian
What famous building was
constructed during
Vespasian’s reign?
The Colosseum
What 2 disasters struck
Rome during Titus’ reign?
1. Mount Vesuvius erupted,
destroying Pompeii
2. A fire greatly damaged Rome
What happened in 1 A.D. ?
Jesus/ Christ was born
What does the abbreviation
A.D. stand for?
Anno Domino, which translated
from Latin means “in the year of
our Lord.”
What abbreviation is used
to signify the years AFTER
Jesus was born?
A.D.
What term is often is used to
describe the Roman rulers
Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian,
Antoninus, Pius
and Marcus Aurelius?
The “good emperors”
What was Trajan’s main
achievement to help
“ordinary” people?
He gave money to help
poor parents raise and
educate their children
What was Hadrian’s main
achievement?
He made Roman law easier
to understand.
What was Antoninus Pius’
main achievement?
He passed laws to help
orphans.
What do you call a
human-made channel for
carrying water long distances?
An aqueduct
Which emperor led Rome to
its largest empire?
Trajan
Why did Hadrian remove many
Roman troops from
Mesopotamia?
He thought the Roman Empire
was getting too large to
manage.
What were the two main
languages in Rome?
Latin and Greek
What helped unify
all of Rome?
The Roman law
In what ways was Roman
culture spread to
neighboring lands?
Soldiers and the leaders took
customs and traditions with them
when they moved to the conquered
lands.
What was most common
occupation in Rome?
Farming
What types of items were
grown on the latifundias?
Grapes and olives
What products were made
with the grapes and olives
grown in Rome?
Wine and Olive Oil
What were the chief crops
in Britain and Egypt?
Different types of grains
What types of items did
Roman artisans produce?
Glass, bronze and brass
Why were Puteoli and
Ostia important cities in
Rome?
They were both port cities where
people came to trade and buy
items
Why was the main import
from China?
Silk items
Why was the main import
from India?
spices
Why was a good
transportation network
important to the success of
the Roman empire?
Traders needed good safe roads to
travel on and the Roman navy
helped keep the seas safe from
pirates.
What is a common system
of money called?
currency
How did a common
currency help Rome’s trade
industry?
All of the areas in the
Mediterranean region accepted the
Roman coins.