II. Roman Empire

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II. Roman Empire

• Many different people unite under the rule of the
  Romans

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A. Rome Becomes an Empire

• 1. Julius Caesars death leaves a void
• People gather daily in forum to listen to men who
  spoke for or against Juliuss policies, or plans
• 2. Octavian, grand-nephew, claims western part of
  empire
• 3. Mark Antony, a general, claims the eastern
  part (Asia Minor, Syria, Egypt)

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• Mark Antony had fallen in love with Cleopatra,
  queen of Egypt,
• Plan to set up own empire
• Octavian learns of plans and declares war on them
• 4. in 31 BC, Octavian defeats them in sea battle
• Gains total control of all Roman lands
• In 27 BC Senate gives Octavian title of
  Augustus means respected or holy one

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• 5. Augustus is first true emperor, but never uses
  title
• Does rule year after year
• 6. people like idea of republic,
• Augustus makes it seem that way

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B. Age of Augustus

• 1. Pax Romana or Roman peace under Augustus
• Lasts for over 200 yrs 27 BC to 180 AD
• Grows to over 2 I/2 million square miles and 75
  million people
• 2. Augustus selects strong leaders to be
  governors, etc
• Makes more men citizens
• Govt strong and popular

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• 3. Roman laws over time treat people fairly and
  more equally
• Innocent until proven guilty
• Cannot be forced to speak against yourself in
  court
• 4. create idea of census, a count of the people
• Purpose??

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• 5. army needed to keep peace and unity
• 7. army divided into legions
• Could have as many as 6,000 men
• Stationed at the borders to keep invaders out
• 8. armies built roads
• Designed to get armies quickly from place to
  place
• Traders and travelers used them also
• All roads lead to Rome

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C. Pride in Rome

• 1. Augustus wants Rome to look grand
• I found a city of bricks and left it a city of
  marble
• Libraries, temples, public baths, govt buildings
• 2. Palatine - hill in center of city
• Govt buildings aka basilicas on hill
• Marketplace where anything could be bought

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• 3. Greek architecture influenced the Romans
• Use of straight columns
• 4. arches came from the Etruscans
• 5. domes original idea
• 6. built theaters and sports arenas
• Largest Colosseum held 50,000 built in 80 AD

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• Watched gladiators,(slaves and prisoners) fight
  to death
• 7. throughout empire people copied Rome
• Forums in center of city lots of public
  buildings surrounded it
• 8. many buildings exist today
• Some are being damaged by acid rain
• Water mixed with gases from atmosphere
• 9. aqueduct carried water by bridges and canals
  to the cities

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D. Arts, Literature, and Language

• 1. Rome copies Greek cultural ideas
• Art
• Writing
• Greek philosophers
• Horace says Conquered Greece conquered its
  uncultured conqueror and brought the arts to
  Rome.

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• 2. Augustus wants Roman artists and writers to
  create works that bring out patriotic feelings
• Wants epics like the Greeks
• Poet Virgil wrote the Aeneid which gives the
  poets view of early Roman history
• Stirs Roman loyalty and patriotism
• 3. Latin language used in govt and education in
  all provinces
• Spread by soldiers and travelers