The Roman Empire
I. Republic Collapses
A. Economic Turmoil
1. huge gap between rich and poor
2. slaves formed 1/3 of pop.
3. small farmers couldn’t compete with large estates
4. deaths of Tiberius and Gaius (reformers) followed by civil
war
B. Military Upheaval
1. disloyal military
2. military leaders gathered their own soldiers
C. 60bc Julius Caesar takes Control
1. Julius, Crassus and Pompey
formed triumvirate
Caesar
Strong military leader
Gov. of Gaul (France)
Defeated his rival Pompey
46bc named dictator for life
D. Caesar's reforms/Death
• absolute ruler
• granted Roman citizenship to people in provinces
• expanded the senate
• created jobs and built new public buildings
• Brutus and Cassius plotted his assassination on March 15, 44bc.
E. Beginning of the Empire
1. Octavian, Antony and Lepidus formed second triumvirate
2. Lepidus retired; Octavian and Antony clashed, Octavian took
control
3. Octavian takes the name Augusta; his title was imperator or
“supreme military commander”
II. A Vast and Powerful Empire
• peak of power Augusta’s rule from 27bc to 180ad
• Period of peace was known as Pax Romana
A. Sound government
1. Civil service
2. Management of government affairs; tax collection, postal system
B. Agriculture and Trade
1. agriculture most important industry
2. 90% of pop. farmed
3. additional food and luxury through trade
4. common coinage
5. vast trading network protected by navy
III. The Roman World
A. Slaves and Captivity
1. part of the economy
2. conquered peoples
3. worked on the city and farm
4. gladiators, fighters
B. Gods and Goddesses
1. powerful spirits or divine forces called numina
2. Lares guardian spirits of each family
3. government and religion were linked
4. Jupiter, father of the Gods
5. worship of the emperor was the official religion of Rome
C. Society and Culture
1. wealth and social status
2. rich lived large
3. most of pop. was unemployed
4. Colosseum
5. Christianity