Pax Romana

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Pax Romana

• Roman Peace

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Begins with the rule of Augustus
Caesarwww.uoregon.edu/arthist/arthist_204/monume
ntimages/primaporta_augustus.gif

• Defeats forces of Marc Antony and Cleopatra
• Solidifies power around 27 B.C.
• Becomes Emperor of Rome

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Pax RomanaEconomic Impact

• Established uniform system of money - expands
  trade
• Guaranteed safe travel and trade in empire
• Army - Roman legions
• Great road system - 50,000 miles of highway
• Promoted prosperity

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Pax RomanaSocial Impact

• Returned stability of social classes
• Increased emphasis on family

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Pax RomanaPolitical Impact

• Created Civil Service
• Developed uniform rule of law
• 12 Tables

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Rulers of Pax Romana

• Julian Rulers (14-68 A.D.)
• Army Rulers (68-69 A.D.)
• Flavian Rulers (69-96 A.D.)
• Five Good Emperors (96-180 A.D.)

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Julian Rulers

• All descendents of Julius Caesar

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Nerothepaolas.com/Emperors/Emperors/Scans/Nero.jp
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• Rules from 54-68 A.D.
• Good administrator but vicious
• Responsible for many murders including his own
  mother
• Rebuild Rome after great fire possibly set by
  Nero to persecute Christians
• Had Peter (crucifixion) and Paul (beheaded)
  executed

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Five Good Emperors

• Nerva (96-98)
• Trajan (98-117) Rome expands to greatest
  extent
• Hadrian (117-138) Solidified conquests and set
  up postal service Hadrians wall
• Antoninius Pius (138-161)
• Marcus Aurelius (161-180) Barbaric invasions
  begin Pax Romana dies with him

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Roman Empire Begins Decline

• Spiral starts after the death of Marcus Aurellius

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Fall of the Roman Empire

• Begins with rule of Commodus, Marcus Aurelius son

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Three Stages of Decline

1. Crisis of the Third Century many economic,
   military, and political problems
2. Time of revival empire cut into two halves
   (Eastern half is strengthened but West continues
   spiral)
3. Western half falls to Barbaric invaders

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Crisis Weakens Empire

• Contributing Factors

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Economic Decay

• Poor Harvests
• Disrupted trade (Barbarians)
• No more plunder from wars
• Gold and Silver drain
• Inflation
• Crushing tax burden

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Political Decay

• Political office seen as burden, not reward
• Military interference in politics
• Civil War and unrest
• Division of Empire
• Moving capital to Byzantium

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Military Decay

• Threat from Persians and barbarians
• Low funds for defense
• Problems recruiting Roman citizens recruiting
  of Barbarians
• Decline of patriotism an loyalty among soldiers

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Social Decay

• Lack of interest in public affairs
• Low confidence in empire
• Disloyalty, lack of patriotism, corruption
• Contrast between rich and poor

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Immediate Causes of Fall

• Pressure from the Huns
• Invasion by Germanic tribes and by Huns

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Fall of Roman Empire(only a movement in reality)

• Conquests by Barbarians
• Sack of Rome

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Important Emperors of The Move
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Diocletianwww.stephen.j.murray.btinternet.co.uk/d
iocletian.jpg

• Rules 284-305
• Split empire in two parts takes control of
  Eastern empire and names some else to rule the
  western half
• Tries to stop decline somewhat successful

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Constantinewww.mingyuen.edu.hk/history/5rome/03ki
ng/constantine.jpg

• First Christian emperor on Empire
• Reunites both halves of empire
• Moves capital from Rome to Constantinople
  (Byzantium)

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Theodosius

• Make Christianity the official religion of the
  Roman Empire

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Invading Barbarian Invaders

• Goths (Ostrogoths / Visagoths)
• Franks
• Vandals
• Saxons
• Burgundians
• Lombards

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Important Invaders

• Attila the Hun