Ancient Rome

The Roman Empire (Continued)

Key Terms

• Augustus• Pax Romana

Rise of the Empire

• Following Caesar’s death, another civil war broke out

• Three of Caesar’s supporters worked together to get rid of the senate that killed him

Second Triumvirate

• Octavian was the 18-year old grandnephew and adopted son of Caesar

• Mark Antony was an experienced general who was friends with Caesar

• Lepidus who was a powerful politician

• Took control of Rome and ruled for 10 years

Triumvirate Falls Apart• Violence and jealousy• Octavian forced Lepidus to

retire• Antony met Cleopatra while

guiding troops to fight in Anatolia

• Antony fell in love and followed her to Egypt

• Octavian accused him of trying to rule Rome from Egypt and civil war broke out

Octavian Defeats Antony

• Octavian’s forces defeated Antony’s and Cleopatra’s joined forces in the naval battle of Actium in 31 B.C.

• Antony and Cleopatra later committed suicide

Augustus• Octavian returned to Rome

and became the unchallenged ruler of Rome

• The Senate gave him the title of consul and dictator for life

• He changed his name to Augustus which meant “chosen one” and became the first Roman emperor

• Rome was now ruled by one man

Pax Romana

• Rome was at peak of it’s power from 27 B.C. (beginning of Augustus’ rule) to A.D. 180

• Empire at peace, except for fighting with tribes near Roman Empire’s borders

• Time period known as Pax Romana, which means “Roman peace”

Government

• Empire had population of 60 to 80 million people, with about 1 million in the city of Rome

• Augustus stabilized the frontier, glorified Rome with spectacular buildings, and created a long lasting government

Civil Servants• Set up by Augustus• Paid workers to manage

the tasks of government- examples are grain supply, collect taxes, and the postal system

• Senate still functional• Civil servants, made up of

plebeians and former slaves administered the empire

Agriculture and Trade

• Agriculture was most important industry

• About 90% of people were farmers

• Most Romans survived on produce from local area

• Additional food and luxury items for the rich were obtained by trade

Trade

• Silver coins called denarius was used as money

• Common money made trade easier in the different parts of the empire

Trade Networks• Ships traveled the Mediterranean

Sea to trade with Roman controlled cities on the coasts

• Rome also traded with India and China

• A network of roads connected Rome to inland parts of the empire

• Roads initially built for military, but used for trade and spread of Roman culture

Reflection

• Describe how Caesar Augustus changed Rome into a peaceful and prosperous empire.