Rome Builds an Empire
Chapter 11.4
Tennessee State Standards
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6.63 Describe the influence of Julius Caesar and Augustus in Rome’s
transition from a republic to an empire and explain the reasons for the
growth and long life of the Roman Empire. (C, E, G, H, P) · Military
organization, tactics, and conquests and decentralized administration · the
purpose and functions of taxes · the promotion of economic growth through
the use of a standard currency, road construction, and the protection of
trade routes · the benefits of a Pax Romana
6.64 Reflect on the impact of the lives of Cleopatra, Marc Anthony, Nero,
Diocletian, and Constantine, city of Constantinople on the Roman Empire.
(H, P)
6.65 Identify the location of and the political and geographic reasons for, the
growth of Roman territories and expansion of the empire, including how the
empire fostered economic growth through the use of currency and trade
routes.
6.68 Analyze how internal and external forces caused the disintegration of
the Roman Empire: including rise of autonomous military powers, political
corruption, moral decay, economic and political instability, shrinking trade,
invasions, and attacks by Germanic tribes. (E,G, H, P)
6.70 Explain the spread of the Roman alphabet and the Latin language
The Rule of Augustus
• Pax Romana
– “Roman Peace”
– 200 years of
peace and
prosperity
– Height of Rome’s
power
– Ended c.180 A.D.
What Reforms Did Augustus Make?
• Permanent professional army
– Praetorian Guard (9,000 men to guard him)
• Empire’s boundaries were along natural physical
features
– Made it easier to defend
• Rebuilt buildings
• Improved government
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Proconsul oversaw provinces
Tax collectors were made government officials
Changed the legal system
Gave grain to the poor
Emperors After Augustus
• Tiberius, adopted son
of Augustus, took over
in A.D. 14
• Julio-Claudian
emperors
– Caligula –crazy, cruel,
Praetorian Guard
murdered him
– Claudius – effective
ruler
– Nero – cruel, committed
suicide after Senate
found him guilty of
treason
The Roman Peace
• Vespasian
– A.D. 69 became emperor
– Restored order and peace
– Son, Titus, defeated
Jewish rebels and
destroyed the temple
– Built the Colosseum
– Sons, Titus and Domitian
ruled after his death
• A.D. 79 – Mount Vesuvius
destroys Pompeii
Five Good Emperors
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Nerva
Trajan
Hadrian
Antoninus Pius
Marcus Aurelius
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A.D. 96- A.D. 180
Did not abuse power
Economic growth
Programs to help poor
Improved roads and
bridges
– Built aqueducts
A United Empire
• A. D. 100’s Empire was almost the size of
the United States
– A.D. 212 every free person was a citizen
– Treated the same under Roman laws
The Empire’s Economy
• Agriculture
• Additional grain was
imported
• Industry
– Pottery, jewelry, cloth,
and glass
• Common currency
• Standard weights and
measurements
• Roads
• Navy
• Trade throughout the
empire
– Made many wealthy
Rome’s Technology
• http://www.mrdowling.com/702technology.html
• Follow along with the powerpoint
Letter: Dearest _____,
You are an ordinary Roman citizen living in Rome around
A.D. 212. You own a small farm. Write a letter to a family
member living in faraway Alexandria, Egypt. Tell them
about how the Roman Empire has changed in the last 100
years. As an ordinary citizen, explain in detail which
change affects you most.
With all my love,
___________