Rise of Rome

• The founding of Rome is traditionally dated to 753 BC, attributed to the legendary figure Romulus.

Factors That Weakened Republic

• Greed of the Rich

• Inequality between Rich and Poor

• Failed Reforms

• Ambitious Generals and Powerful Army Allegiances to Those Generals

• Civil War and Failure to Regain Democratic Principles

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Second Triumvirate

Mark Antony, Octavian, and Lepidus  (a Roman general) formed the Second Triumvirate.

They pursued the Senate forces and defeated Brutus and Cassius in Philippi in 42 BCE.

They then purged the Senate, killing over 300 senators.  

By 36 BCE, Lepidus was forced from Second Triumvirate.

How it ended:

Mark Antony and Octavian would split control of the Empire between them, with Antony in the East and Octavian in the west.

Antony would fall in love with the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra, and they would attempt to assert their control over all of Rome.

Octavian’s forces heard of this plot and destroyed Antony and Cleopatra’s at the Battle of Actium off the coast of Greece in 31 BCE.

Both Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide rather than be prisoners of Octavian.

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How the republic ended

Octavian vowed to restore the Republic, but in reality secured absolute authority for himself as imperator (emperor).

In 27 BCE, the Senate named Octavian princeps (first citizen) and he later took the title of “Augustus” (exalted one).

As the new Roman Emperor, he pursued a policy of peace and internal order, ushering in the Pax Romana, which lasted over 200 years.

Fall of republic and Rise of the empire:

• Spread of Slavery

• Migration of unemployed farmers to cities

• Assassination of Julius Caesar

• Civil Wars as Caesar gained power and after his assassination

• Devaluation of Roman Currency - Inflation

• Republic to Empire

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Pax romana

-”the roman peace”

The Roman peace established by Caesar Augustus lasted until A.D. 180 and was characterized by:

Relative peace – fighting still continued on the frontiers but Rome’s power held sway over her enemies.

Great economic prosperity, although the lion’s share of wealth went to the patricians.

Common coinage (denarius) and effective and widespread road system that enhanced trade. 

Use of Latin and Greek as common languages.

Stable system of government based on an effective civil service that could even withstand the instability produced under the so-called “bad” emperors (Caligula, Nero, Domitian).

“Good” emperors dominated from A.D. 96-180 (i.e. Trajan, Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius), each of whom adopted heirs.

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Roman Expansion

• Increase in the size of the empire: 3 million square miles

• Increase in population:

  • Empire: 60 to 80 million 

  • Rome: 1 million

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Slaves

Significant part of Roman life.

Made up 1/3 of Roman population.

Prisoners of war.

Considered property:

Could be sold, punished, rewarded, set free, or put to death.

Strong healthy slaves were forced to become gladiators.

Gladiators fought to death in public display in venues like the Coliseum.

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Agriculture/trade

In rome 

90 percent of people were farming 

-used coinage called denarius 

-relied on trade networks 

-traded with china and india 

-most important trade with silk roads 

-they connected to rome to asia/china

-numerous roads built for trade connected empires to russia 

-built by roma

Army for military purposes

-army patrolled roads 

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Bread & Circuses

-roman classes were divided 

-rich livided extravagantly: spent money on luxuries and homes 

-Majority were poor and unemployed - lived in crowded housing 

-to control the masses, the government provided  free entertainment

: Bread and circuses: games, races, and gladiator contests 

-they would even fill the colosseum with water and have mock naval battles 

Coliseum: Huge arena that could hold 50,000 people and held gladiatorial competitions.

Roman Engineering: Roads (Concrete), Aqueducts for Water

Circus Maximus: Racetrack that could hold 200,000+ people and had chariot races.

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Architecture 

Coliseum: huge arena that could hold 50,000 people and held gladiator competitions

Roman engineering: roads (concrete)

Aqueducts for water 

Circus maximus: racetrack that could hold 200,000+ people and had chariot races 

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Religion

Government and religion were linked together. This is called a theocracy.

Deities (gods) were symbols of state – were expected to be honored.

Most important: Jupiter, Juno, Minerva.

Worship of the emperor also became part of official law – theocracy.

Eventually, we will see the rise of Christianity replace Roman mythology.

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Slides: 6. Unit 5 Slides: 2/24 + 2/25

Origins of Christianity

Christianity has its roots in Judaism

Jesus of Nazareth

Born in the time of Augustus Caesar in the Roman province of Judaea (around 6-4 BCE but exact date unknown). 

Jewish carpenter from humble origins.

Preached a message of salvation, peace, and the coming of God’s kingdom.

Preached social change and social justice and promoted ideas that often differed from traditional Jewish beliefs and practices. 

Gathered twelve disciples, later known as the apostles, who shared in his ministry.

Shared parables (stories/analogies) of daily life to explain his teachings. 

Jesus

What happened:

Jesus’ teachings angered Jewish authorities in Judea because they sometimes were critical of contemporary Jewish practices. 

Jesus was charged with blasphemy (violating Jewish religious law) by Jewish leaders and crucified by order of Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judaea.

Beliefs of christianity 

Christians are monotheistic, belief on one God, due to having arisen from the Jewish faith.

The essence of Christianity revolves around the life, death, and Christian beliefs of the resurrection of Jesus–that is, arise to heaven after death.

Christians believe God sent his son Jesus, the Messiah, to save the world. Sacrificing his life through his crucifixion enabled the forgiveness of sins and the promise of everlasting life. 

Christ = “Anointed One” 

Messiah = in Jewish and later Christian tradition, one sent by God to restore God’s kingdom on Earth.  Jews do not recognize Jesus as the Messiah and believe that the Messiah is yet to appear. 

The day of Jesus’ crucifixion is called “Good Friday” by Christians. 

Jesus’ followers claimed that he rose from the dead three days later (resurrection), which Christians believe represents the victory over sin and death.

The day of the resurrection of Jesus is called Easter. 

Christians believe Jesus later ascended to heaven, promising to return in glory

More beliefs: 

INCARNATION: God becomes flesh and embodies the divine world (“logos”) as Jesus. 

SALVATION for those who have faith in him; the perfect atonement for sin.

NEW COVENANT between God and mankind.

Eucharist: The Christian ceremony commemorating the Last Supper, in which bread and wine are consecrated and consumed.

BAPTISM is the rebirth of a Christian, meant to represent their “death and rebirth.”

Note:  In the modern world, there are multiple interpretations of Christianity. They all have a belief in Jesus as the Messiah, but have varying theological interpretations regarding religious practices and other expressions of faith. 

The bible

-the christian holy text

The Holy Bible is the primary Christian holy text, outlining beliefs and practices that Christians are expected to follow.

The Bible consists of two major parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament.

The Old Testament includes passages derived from the Torah, the holy text of the Hebrews (Jews). (The Torah is the first 5 books of the Old Testament.  

How christianity spread 

The New Testament traces the rise of the early Christian church under the leadership of the apostles Peter and Paul..

The Apostolic Church consisted of Jewish people who accepted Jesus as the Christ (Messiah), as well as Gentiles who also embraced Christianity.

Gentile: A person who is not Jewish.

Paul's missionary journeys spread the Gospel beyond Judaea to Asia Minor, Greece, and Rome itself by 60 CE.

Paul bridged the gap between the Jewish people and Gentiles, ensuring that the early Christian church would grow beyond the Jewish world.

Early Christian Church is known as the ecclesia.

Early reaction of rome:

Early Christians raised concerns among Roman authorities because of their refusal to worship the emperor as a deity and their beliefs in Christ as the “king of kings” who would return to rule.

Emperor Nero persecuted the early church leaders and blamed a devastating fire in Rome (64 CE) on the Christians.

Persecutions forced the church to go “underground” - Roman Catacombs.

Martyr: a person who is killed because of their religious beliefs.

Despite early persecution by Roman emperors against the Christian church and its followers, the Christian faith grew in popularity and influence. 

Constantine the Great converted to Christianity and passed the Edict of Milan, decriminalizing Christianity.

Christianity would spread throughout Europe and parts of the Middle East as well as parts of Africa. 

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Jewish Diaspora & it’s impact

Conquered the Jewish city of Jerusalem in 63 B.C.E in the area known as Judea..

A failed revolt against Roman occupation in A.D. 132 led to the Diaspora of the Jews from all parts of the Roman Empire

Diaspora:  widespread migration of a particular group from a homeland, often not by choice.  Not only was the Jewish faith “scattered” throughout the world due to the diaspora, but early adherents to Christianity, who had Jewish roots, underwent a dispersal to other parts of the world as well. 

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Aksum

African Kingdom in Eastern Africa, located near the Nile River and the Ethiopian Highlands (modern-day Ethiopia). 

Rose to power between 3rd and 6th centuries CE.

Became a great market in NE Africa. Merchants traded with civilizations beyond the Nile River.

Became a Christian kingdom in the 4th century CE.

Became politically and economically linked with Roman Egypt.

Was a center of trade because of its location between west Africa and the Indian Ocean.

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Before the fall of the empire

-at its peak in 117 CE, the roman empire covered roughly 2 million square miles over three continents: Europe, Asia, and Africa 

-it is estimated to have been home to 60-70 million people (larger than Persia, which at the time of its height made up over half the world’s population

As the empire grew, the size became too much for Rome to effectively govern, especially in the European areas, costing too much in military overspending to defend borders against Germanic invaders: pastoral nomads north of Rome that are pushing South for better lands 

-there were 54 total emperors over an almost 500-year period

Natural disasters 

affects economy: Pompeii

Pompeii was an important city within italy from the time period of greek settlers, becoming an attraction for the wealthy, near modern-day Naples

Pompeii experienced a natural disaster, when mount vesuvius erupted on August 24, 79 CE, blanketing the city in ash

-eruption had roughly 100,000 times more force than the atomic bombs used in WWII

-total death toll is unknown, but the cities surrounding Vesuvius had a population of 20,000 people

-1,500 bodies excavated

-much of what we know about this event comes from archaeological ruins 

-natural disasters like this helped contribute to monetary issues in the empire 

Key reasons Western Rome falls

Invasions by barbarians: constant attacks from non-roman invaders in the north and east

Economics: reliance on slave labor shortages and struggles

• Political corruption: widespread corruption and incompetence among officials weakened the government and diminished public trust.

• Overexpansion: the vast territory became difficult to manage, leading to logistical problems and vulnerability to attacks.

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Downfall of Western Roman Empire

The Western Roman Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire ended at different times for different reasons.

Western Roman Empire, located in Iberia, Gaul, North Africa, Britannia, Italy, and parts of Germania would fall in 476 CE when Germanic invaders deposed the last Western Roman Emperor, Romulus Augustulus.

This led to the formation of many different Germanic kingdoms, marking the transition to the Middle Ages. Stay tuned!

The Eastern Roman Empire would remain in power and united, with the capital of Constantinople, until 1453 CE. This is a continuation of the Roman Empire, but would become known as the Byzantine Empire, our next unit of study.

Key Reasons Western Rome Falls:

1. Invasions by Barbarians: Constant attacks from non-Roman invaders in the north and east.

2. Economics: Reliance on slave labor caused labor shortages and struggles with invaders kept Roman army from further expansion and gaining new recruits as a result.

3. Weakening of Roman Army: The use of mercenaries who had no loyalty to the empire.

4. Overexpansion: Too vast a territory to govern and militarily defend.

5. Rise of Eastern Empire: Eastern Empire became more fortified against invaders and left Western Empire prone to attacks since over time, they operated like separate empires.

6. Political instability: Inconsistent leadership over the years made it hard to have a consistent government across the empire. Even guards would assassinate the emperor they were hired to protect if they were offered large enough bribes.

7. Huns invaded Europe: This pushed Germanic tribes even closer to Roman borders near the Italian peninsula and some even allowed into Italy and treated horribly and eventually revolt.

8. Rise of Christianity: No longer seeing the emperor as a god. Religious leaders also start to get involved politically. Shifted focus onto a sole god (the king of kings).

Bad Emperors Impact Roman Empire

Some emperors were more focused on their personal glory rather than governing, which led to a significant growth in political corruption at the top level as well as within the provinces.

Taxes would be raised to serve their wants and needs, widening the gap between the rich and poor and leading to inflation.

Inflation: an increase in prices and fall in value of money.

The frontiers would be ignored by some emperors, subject to invasion/attack.

• Tiberius

14-37 CE

Stepson of Augustus

Abolished the Assembly

Did not want to rule

Did extend the empire north

• Caligula

37-41 CE

Two years of effective ruling, interrupted by serious illness and followed by two years of horrible rule

Killed by his Praetorian Guard

• Claudius

41-54 CE

Became Emperor because he was the last adult male of his family

Not secure in his position, assassinated many opponents

• Nero

54-69 CE

Came to power after his mother supposedly poisoned Claudius

Murdered mother, stepbrother, and two wives

Fire of Rome (64 CE) under his reign

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the Four Emperors

In 69 CE, Emperor Nero committed suicide, freeing up the position of Emperor.

This marked the end of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty (Julius Caesar’s family line).

Over the course of the year, four people held the title and position of Emperor.

Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian

Vespasian took power and faced no major political threats.

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Good Emperors

• Vespasian

69-79 CE

Built the Colosseum in Rome

Founded the Flavian Dynasty

• Trajan

98-117 CE

Spanish emperor

Massive public works programs

Trajan’s Column, Trajan’s Forum, Trajan’s Market

• Hadrian

117-138 CE

Military leader

Strengthened the Empire defenses with Hadrian’s wall

• Marcus Aurelius

161-180 CE

Stoic philosopher

His death marked the end of the Pax Romana

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Diocletian

 284-305 CE

Emperor Diocletian (ruled 284-305 CE) inherited an empire on the verge of collapse due to the size, civil wars, and invasion from barbarians (non-Romans).

Barbarians from Germania and Gaul invaded in the west and Attila the Hun invaded in the east.

His solution was to divide the Empire into an East and West, called a tetrarchy (four areas ruled by two heads and two junior emperors).

The Eastern Empire was ruled from Byzantium by Diocletian. 

Western Empire was ruled from Milan by Maximilian.

Diocletian was especially cruel towards Christians. He had thousands killed. 

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The division of the Roman Empire into Eastern and Western regions marked a significant turning point in its history, leading to distinct cultural and political developments in both realms.

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Constantine

Emperor 306-337 CE

He fought and won a civil war against the Emperor of the West, becoming the sole Emperor of Rome.

The Empire will split again when his sons take control.

He decided to move the capital of Rome to the city of Byzantium and renamed it Constantinople.

He converted to Christianity after a vision in battle (he had prayed before the battle and he saw a cross).

He issued the Edict of Milan that legalized Christianity in 313 CE and it became the official religion of the Empire in 380 CE under Theodosius I.

Rome officially re-splits East and West in 395 CE.

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