Marcus Aurelius ruled 200 years after Augustus. All this time is called the Pax Romana, meaning “Roman peace.”

During this time, people moved easily and freely throughout the empire, and were able to trade with others.

The Pax Romana is considered the golden age of Rome.

This is when the empire was at it’s finest. Also during this time, Christianity begins to spread around the Roman Empire.

One great thing about the Roman Empire was the fact that it mixed many different cultures together, specifically the Greek, Hellenistic, and Roman cultures.

Eventually, this developed into something called the Greco-Roman civilization. Trade and travel during the Pax Romana helped spread this new civilization.

Temple for Mars

Horace is an example of an author who use satire to attack human mistakes.

Satire- verse or prose that pokes fun at human weakness

Horace

In Rome, they developed two systems of law. The first was called Civil Law, which involved people that lived in Rome.

The second system was called the Law of Nations. This applied to all people under Roman rule, citizens and non-citizens.

They also came up with the idea of “innocent until proven guilty” and defense attorneys.

The Roman Empire experienced many problems during Marcus Aurelius’ reign.

Military Immigration Bureaucracy Economy

Aurelius is fighting northern invaders at the Danube River

Parthian province is being invaded by Persians into Armenia

Aurelius has legions fighting in Mauretania (North Africa)

Aurelius must decide where to focus legions

Spreading his military too thin Parthian War

Cassius becomes popular in eastern provinces

Eastern provinces jokes on Aurelius Rebellions continue along the Roman

borders. Legions bring plague back with them Decimates military and civilian

populations

German tribesmen, “barbarians”, began to pour across the Danube - AD 166

Germans wanted the better farmland under Roman control

Many Germanic tribes moved south because of the pressure they felt from other tribes

Plague wiped out many of the farmers of Rome, which left open, farmable land.

Many immigrants were brought to work the land for the Romans and not given legal status.

Many immigrants were hired as mercenaries.

Some officials criticized the policy.

Mercenary- a professional soldier; fights for money instead of loyalty

People working for the Roman government: governors, tax collectors, judges, soldiers, messengers, and engineers.

The size of the Roman Empire made communication and regulation of government agencies complicated.

The economy of the western portion of the empire has never been fully developed.

Eastern cities become wealthy and powerful.

Due to the decreasing gold supply, inflation becomes a huge problem.

Increasing military costs are adding to the problems of the crumbling economy.

AD 169 - Imperial property was auctioned to pay for the costly wars.

He lowered the fee for a Senate seat to make it more affordable for the less wealthy.

Public assistance for hospitals, free burial due to the plague, and orphanages.

Pax Romana ends and the next 100 years are times of political and economic decline

Who rules after a emperor is dies???

Emperors were overthrown by ambitious generals

Then those generals would be overthrown or assassinated by another general

50 year period with 26 different rulers, and only one died of natural causes

High taxes were being demanded to support armies, hurt the little man

Many small farmers left their land to seek protection from wealthy land owners

These farmers would work the land and were not allowed to leave

AD 284 set out to restore order

Divided empire into two parts He kept control of the wealthy Eastern half Named a co-emperor to rule the Western

half

Diocletian still remained head emperor Tried to increase prestige of empire by:

- surrounding himself with ceremonies- wore purple and expensive jewels- made people bow and kiss his robe

Inflation – The rapid rise of prices

He fixed prices for goods and services Wanted to slow down inflation Laws forcing farmers to stay on land

and follow in their father’s footsteps Economic stability

AD 312 Constantine takes the thrown and continues with Diocletian’s reforms

Makes 2 important changes to the Roman Empire Granted toleration to Christians and

encouraged the rapid growth of Christianity

Built a new capital; Constantinople

Constantinople was located where the Black Sea meets the Aegean Sea

Western Empire declining: Eastern empire prospering and

becoming extremely wealthy