From Augustus to Pax RomanaRome as a world state

27 BCE to 180 CE

Caesar’s assassination and the 2nd Triumverate

• March 15, 44 BC• Two of Caesar’s

most trusted lieutenants- Mark Antony and Lepidus joined with Octavian (Caesar’s adopted son) to form the 2nd Triumverate and defeated the armies of Brutus and Cassius (two leading assassins of Julius Caesar)

• Both Mark Antony and Octavian wanted to be #1so a compromise was reached: the Peace of Brundisium, 40 BCE

Antony & Cleopatra

• 40 BCE “Love at first sight?”

• Antony married Cleopatra and had 3 children with her.

• Antony’s acknowledgment of Caesarion as legitimate and heir to Caesar's name was more than Octavian could bare.

• Octavian's base of power was his link with Caesar through adoption, which granted him much-needed popularity and loyalty of the legions. To see this convenient situation attacked by a child borne by the richest woman in the world was something Octavian could not accept.

End of the 2nd Triumverate…3rd Civil War

• The Treaty of Brundisium ended in 33 BCE

• The Battle of Actium 31 BCE

• Cleopatra and Antony fled to Egypt where they committed suicide

Octavian was a political genius: he held absolute power without breaking the façade of a Republic-

>magistrates were still elected, >assemblies still met, >the Senate still enjoyed many of their privileges.

There was no talk of land reform etc etc!

Peace had returned to Rome!

In 27BCE Octavian offered to surrender his power but was rejected by the Senate

He refused to be called dictator or king – just “the princep.”

The Senate conferred on him the title Augustus – Exalted One – and he reigned until year 14

His policies laid the foundation for 200 years of peace and prosperity-”the Pax Romana.”

Notable achievements of Augustus

> corrected tax abuses / ended corruption of judges and governors

> Created a bureaucracy of talented and dedicated civil servants

> Initiated public works projects/ aqueducts, baths, temples, roads

> Restored ancient monuments / built new ones

> Reduced price of grain/ distributed free to the needy

> Sponsored gladiatorial games and other festivals

> Established a fire brigade

> Did not interfere with customs and traditions of the provinces

> Promoted old-fashioned “family values”- laws against adultery; penalized unmarried citiqens, widows required to remarry in trwo years; divorce almost impossible

The Pax Romana - “Time of Happiness”27BCE-180 AD

200 years of peace allowed for the flourishing of culture throughout Roman-controlled lands

> Greco-Roman life based on rational thought reached everywhere in the Empire- an orderly world community

> Roman law was impartial and humane

> trade and commerce expanded

> Administration was efficient and beneficent

> arts and science thrived

> the Latin language became universal

>Architecture employed the arch, the dome and columns

> Literature- historical writing; science and engineering

> Conditions for women and slaves improved

Successors to Augustus:

Tiberius, r14-37 • His mother Livia, married Augustus

making him step son to the Emperor

• One of Rome’s greatest generals, laying the foundation of the northern frontier

• Came to be remembered as a dark, reclusive & somber ruler who never desired to be emperor

• At 26, he retired to the isle of Capri, leaving Rome to be run by the Praetorian guard.

Successors to Augustus:

Caligula, r 37-41“Little boots”

• Irrational, unbalanced megolomaniac who had himself worshipped as a living god

• Drained the treasury to humor his whims- fighting in mock gladatorial fights, dressing up like a woman.

• Campaigns in Syria, Germania and Britain were all failures

• The first Emperor to be assassinated

Successors to Augustus:

Claudius r 41-54Propped up by Praetorian Guard

• During his reign the Empire conquered Thrace, Noricum, Lycia and Judaea, completed the conquest of Mauretania and began the conquest of Britain.

• Having a personal interest in law, he presided at public trials, and issued up to twenty edicts a day.

• Extensive public works projects

• Poisoned by his wife and her son, Nero

Successors to Augustus:

Nero, r 54-68 • 2 myths: The Great fire of Rome? Burning Christians for light.

• Promoted athletic games, built theatres and a huge palace with artificial lake

• Killer: his mother (Agripinna II) & his pregnant wife, Poppaea

• Lost support of the army; committed suicide

The Julian-Claudian Dynasty: Poisoned; Stabbed; Poisoned; Suicide

Tiberius

r 14-37

Caligula

r 37-41

Claudius r 41-54

Nero r 54-68

Flavian Dynasty, 69-96Vespasian, sons: Titus then Domitian

Emperor Nerva r 96-98

• He initiated the adoptive system to provide for competent rulers

The Five Good Emperors:

• Nerva, 96-98

• Trajan, 98-117

• Hadrian, 117-138

• Antoninus Pius, 131-161

• Marcus Aurelius, 161-180

The Empire at its height, c 250

The Pax Romana - “Time of Happiness”• Fullfillment of Rome's mission – the creation of a world state that

provided peace, security and ordered civilization through the rule of law.

– Smooth transition of power

– Spread of Greco-Roman civilization

– Built over 100 cities

– International commerce thrived• Rid the seas of pirates

• Goods circulated freely

– Infrastructure accomplishments:• 53,000 miles of roads

• Improved harbors

• Cleared forests

• Drained swamps

• Built aqueducts, bridges, sewage systems, bath houses, public toilets,

ampitheatres etc