Pax Romana

Roman Peace

Begins with the rule of Augustus Caesar www.uoregon.edu/~arthist/arthist_204/monumentimages/primaporta_augustus.

gif    Defeats forces of Marc Antony and Cleopatra Solidifies power around 27 B.C.

Becomes “Emperor of Rome”

Pax Romana Economic Impact  Established uniform system of money - expands trade  Guaranteed safe travel and trade in empire – Army - Roman legions – Great road system - 50,000 miles of highway – Promoted prosperity

Pax Romana Social Impact  Returned stability of social classes  Increased emphasis on family

Pax Romana Political Impact  Created Civil Service  Developed uniform rule of law – 12 Tables

Rulers of Pax Romana

Julian Rulers (14-68 A.D.) Army Rulers (68-69 A.D.) Flavian Rulers (69-96 A.D.) Five Good Emperors (96 180 A.D.)

Julian Rulers

All descendents of Julius Caesar

Nero thepaolas.com/Emperors/Emperors/Scans/Nero.jpg

  Rules from 54-68 A.D.

Good administrator but vicious – Responsible for many murders including his own mother – Rebuild Rome after great fire – possibly set by Nero to persecute Christians – Had Peter (crucifixion) and Paul (beheaded) executed

Five Good Emperors      Nerva (96-98) Trajan (98-117) – Rome expands to greatest extent Hadrian (117-138) – Solidified conquests and set up postal service – Hadrian’s wall Antoninius Pius (138-161) Marcus Aurelius (161-180) Barbaric invasions begin – Pax Romana dies with him

Roman Empire Begins Decline

Spiral starts after the death of Marcus Aurellius

Fall of the Roman Empire

Begins with rule of Commodus, Marcus Aurelius’ son

Three Stages of Decline 1.

2.

3.

“Crisis of the Third Century” – many economic, military, and political problems Time of revival – empire cut into two halves (Eastern half is strengthened but West continues spiral) Western half falls to Barbaric invaders

Crisis Weakens Empire

Contributing Factors

Economic Decay  Poor Harvests  Disrupted trade (Barbarians)  No more plunder from wars  Gold and Silver drain  Inflation  Crushing tax burden

Political Decay  Political office seen as burden, not reward  Military interference in politics  Civil War and unrest  Division of Empire  Moving capital to Byzantium

Military Decay  Threat from Persians and barbarians  Low funds for defense  Problems recruiting Roman citizens – recruiting of Barbarians  Decline of patriotism an loyalty among soldiers

Social Decay  Lack of interest in public affairs  Low confidence in empire  Disloyalty, lack of patriotism, corruption  Contrast between rich and poor

Immediate Causes of Fall

Pressure from the Huns Invasion by Germanic tribes and by Huns

Fall of Roman Empire

(only a movement in reality)

Conquests by Barbarians Sack of Rome

Important Emperors of The Move

Diocletian www.stephen.j.murray.btinternet.co.uk/diocletian.jpg

   Rules 284-305 Split empire in two parts – takes control of Eastern empire and names some else to rule the western half Tries to stop decline – somewhat successful

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Constantine www.mingyuen.edu.hk/history/5rome/03king/constantine.jpg

   First Christian emperor on Empire Reunites both halves of empire Moves capital from Rome to Constantinople (Byzantium)

Theodosius  Make Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire

Invading Barbarian Invaders  Goths (Ostrogoths / Visagoths)  Franks  Vandals  Saxons  Burgundians  Lombards

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Important Invaders  Attila the Hun