Augustus and the Pax Romana

1
Augustus and the Pax Romana
2
The Rule of Augustus

• Octavian Caesar took the title of Augustus
  (revered one)
• Became the 1st emperor of Rome
• Held offices of consul, tribune, high priest, and
  senator all at once

3
1. The Rule of Augustus (cont.)

• Kept assemblies and government officials of the
  republic

4
1. The Rule of Augustus (cont.)

• Strengthened authority by
• Making every soldier swear allegiance to him
• Chose officials based on talent, not birth (gave
  slaves and freedmen the right to be part of
  government)

5
1. The Rule of Augustus (cont.)

• Rounded boundaries around natural frontiers (easy
  to defend)

Image taken from http//www.roman-empire.net/maps
/empire/extent/rome-empire-augustus-01.jpg
6
Think-Ink-Share

• Write down one way that Augustus changed the
  structure of the Roman government when he became
  emperor.

7
1. The Rule of Augustus (cont.)

• Wasnt interested in gaining new territory
• Ordered a census (population count) from time to
  time
• Made Rome beautiful

8
1. The Rule of Augustus (cont.)

• Made laws for public behavior
• Set up police force
• Built the 1st Roman library

9
1. The Rule of Augustus (cont.)

• Ruled for 41 years
• Reorganized Roman gvt so that it ran well for the
  next 200 years

Image taken from http//utopia.utexas.edu/project
/portraits/augustus.jpg
10
Think-Pair-Share

• What do you think is the most important
  characteristic of Augustus reign?

11
2. The Pax Romana

• The peace that Augustus brought to Rome
• Lasted 200 years
• Romans prospered, civilization spread, and
  cultures mixed

12
3. Trade during the Pax Romana

• Increased trade occurred with peace
• Same coins used throughout the empire

Image taken fromhttp//homepage.ntlworld.com/boot
y.weather/climate/TimeSlice/images/roman_coin.jpg
13
3. Trade during the Pax Romana (cont.)

• No tariffs (taxes on goods brought into country)
• No pirates on the Mediterranean Sea

14
4. Law

• Major changes in law during the Pax Romana
• Needed to write laws that were fair to Romans and
  non-Romans

15
4. Law (cont.)

• Everyone was considered equal before the law

16
4. Law (cont.)

• People were innocent until proven guilty

17
4. Law (cont.)

• Standardized law by 125 AD (legal procedures were
  the same all over the country)

18
4. Law (cont.)

• Roman legal principles will form the basis for
  Western and Christian laws

19
Think-Ink-Share

• Describe 3 characteristics of the Pax Romana