Augustus and the Pax Romana

Caesar Augustus, The Vatican Museums, Rome

Review: After Julius Caesar’s assassination, who comprised the second triumvirate?

Lepidus, Marc Antony and Octavian (later known as Caesar Augustus)

Why was there a civil war between Octavian’s forces and Marc Antony’s forces?

Octavian was opposed to Marc Antony’s alliance/relationship with Cleopatra. Both sought to control Rome.

•Octavian’s armies and Antony’s forces fought at the Battle of Actium in 31, B.C.E. where Octavian’s army crushed Antony’s forces.

•Octavian then became the “Imperator” or Caesar Augustus, Emperor of Rome

•Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide in Egypt a year later.

Caesar Augustus

Early on, Augustus sought to restore the Roman Republic by giving some power back to the Senators.

The senate, in return, gave Augustus great control of Rome, naming him “Imperator” or Emperor.

Augustus had authority to appoint governors in Rome’s provinces which previously had been controlled by Senators.

Republic or Empire?

“Senatus Populusque Romanus”The Senate and People of Rome

Augustus was Rome’s first Emperor and he was a good one. The Pax Romana or “Roman Peace” begins with him.

His accomplishments:

1. Expansion of the empire in Asia Minor, SouthwestAsia and Europe (but not across the Danube River) His only military defeat would be here by Germanictribes.

2. Stability of the three social classes, senatorial, equestrian and lower classes. There was mobility for some.

3. Developed a civil service – a way of hiring governmentworkers based on education and experience. He madejobs available to the equestrian class.

4. Established rule by law – laws governed the people notarbitrary decisions.

Augustus’ Achievements - continued

5. Used a uniform money system which expanded trade.

6. Made the Roman roads safe for travel throughout the empire which increased trade.

7. Emphasized the importance of family. - Paterfamilias - Ex. Julia

The Pax Romana was a 207 year period in which Rome experienced Peace, Prosperity and Stability

•Augustus chose his successor –his stepson

Some peaceful transitionof power betweenemperors—but not always.

•Created a Civil Service

IMPACTPOLITICAL

Stability in government, even when emperors were unstable.

• Developed a uniform rule of law

Romans, rich and poor alike, were subject to the law. No one was above the law. Principle of innocence untilproven guilty was established.

•Expanded territory into Greece, SouthwestAsia and north including Britain

Rome spread its influence and culture throughout the Mediterranean, Southwest Asia, Israel, Egypt, and Europe.

Political Impact Continued

Economic Impact

•Uniform money system

•Safe travel on Roman roads

Promoted prosperity and stability

Pax Romana

ExpandedTrade- Luxurygoods importedinto Rome – Goldcoins leaving the empire

Social Impact

1. Returned stability to social classes

Pax Romana

-Poor not sliding further into poverty-Social unrest minimal-Bread and Circus keptthe poor masses happy

2. Family becomes very important

Romans identifiedthemselves by themale head of household--paterfamilias. Girlswere named after theirfathers – ex. Julia, Olivia.

The Emperors

After Augustus, there were five “Good” Emperors in the Pax Romana period.

Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antonius Pius and Marcus Aurelius

And then there were the bad emperors:

Tiberius, Caligula, Nero

CRAZY! Rome’s civil servantskept the government operating smoothlydespite crazy emperors.

By the third century, CE, the Pax Romana had ended and the empire had begun to crumble.