Augustus and the Rise of the Roman Empire Notes

Augustus and the Rise of the Empire

Second Triumvirate

  • Mark Antony, Lepidus, and Octavian formed the Second Triumvirate to take control of Rome.
  • They ruled Rome together for 10 years, attempting to restore order to the Republic.
  • Their alliance eventually dissolved due to jealousy and violence.

Octavian's Rise to Power

  • Octavian forced Lepidus to retire, removing him from power.
  • Mark Antony became distracted while dealing with enemies in Anatolia.
  • Mark Antony met Queen Cleopatra of Egypt and followed her to Egypt after falling in love.
  • Octavian accused Antony of plotting to rule from Egypt, leading to civil war.

Octavian Stands Alone

  • Octavian defeated the combined naval forces of Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium in 31 B.C.
  • Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide after their loss.
  • Cleopatra's death is famously attributed to a snakebite.

Augustus: The First Emperor

  • Octavian became the unchallenged ruler of Rome.
  • He changed his name to Augustus, meaning "Exalted One."
  • He retained the title "imperator," signifying supreme military commander.

Augustus's Lifestyle

  • Augustus lived a simple and frugal life despite being the leader of the Roman Empire.
  • He resided in a modest home.
  • His favorite meal consisted of bread, cheese, and sardines, a common laborer's meal.
  • He was very religious and family-oriented, adhering to a strict moral code.
  • Augustus exiled his only daughter, Julia, from Rome for not being faithful before marriage.

Pax Romana

  • The Pax Romana, an era of peace throughout the Roman Empire, began with Augustus's rule in 27 BC and lasted until 180 AD.
  • It was a period of sustained peace within the empire, despite occasional border skirmishes.
  • Pax Romana translates to "Roman Peace."

Scale of the Roman Empire

  • The Roman Empire encompassed 3 million square miles of territory.
  • Approximately 60-80 million people inhabited the empire.
  • Over 1 million people lived in the city of Rome itself.

Government and Infrastructure

  • Despite the loss of the Republic, Rome maintained a strong and well-organized government.
  • Augustus is credited with laying the groundwork for this new government.
  • He stabilized the empire's frontier and initiated massive public works projects.
  • His foundations lasted for centuries.

Organizing the Government

  • Augustus established a civil service program with paid workers to manage government affairs.
  • Responsibilities of the civil service included:
    • Grain supply management
    • Tax collection
    • Postal system

The Senate's Role

  • The Senate still existed but never regained its former power and authority.
  • Civil service members, including plebeians and former slaves, effectively ran the empire.

Agriculture

  • Agriculture was the most critical and important sector of the empire.
  • Maintaining the food supply was crucial for the empire's stability.
  • 90% of the population was engaged in the farming market in some capacity.

Trade

  • A standardization of currency was implemented.
  • A silver coin known as a denarius was used during Augustus's time.
  • Having a common currency facilitated trade between different parts of the empire.

Trade Networks

  • A fast trade network was established to keep Rome supplied.
  • Shipping networks intersected across the Mediterranean.
  • A complex road network linked the empire, extending as far as Persia, southern Russia, and the British Isles.
  • These networks facilitated the spread of goods, services, and cultures throughout the empire.

End of Class Assessment Questions

  1. What factors led to the fall of the Roman Republic?
  2. What were the main reasons for Rome's success in controlling such a large empire?
  3. What role did Julius Caesar play in the decline of the Republic and the rise of the Empire?
  4. What was Augustus's greatest contribution to Roman society? Why?