The Empire (May 18)
Rome's expansion and increase in wealth caused an unhappy lower class and a military breakdown. Due to this, the political system began to change.
Economic turmoil came after the gap between the rich and the poor grew wider. Rich landowners had people that'd been enslaved in the war work on their large estates, and small farmers became homeless and jobless after having to sell their farms to the rich. Two brothers aimed to help the poor population by serving as tribunes, but met violent deaths after making enemies out of many senators.
The formerly loyal military also started to break down, and generals started seizing power for themselves. In 60 B.C.E. Julius Caesar joined forces with wealthy Roman and a popular general and was elected consul a year later. The three ruled Rome as a triumvirate, a group of three rulers.
After Caesar and Pompey, one of the other rulers, became enemies, Caesar defeated him and became dictator. With absolute power, he started a number of reforms, including granting citizenship to many people living in the provinces, expanding the senate, and helping the poor by creating jobs through the construction of new public buildings. Nobles and senators were concerned about Caesar's growing power and popularity, and in 44 B.C.E. a group of important senators assassinated him in the senate chamber.
After Caesar's death, a civil war broke out and destroyed the remnants of the Roman republic. Three of Caesar's supporters took control of Rome and ruled as the second triumvirate for ten years. Later, Octavian became the sole ruler of Rome.
Rome was at the peak of its power while Octavian ruled, and for 207 years, Rome was peaceful. This period was known as the Pax Romana, or "Roman peace." The Romans kept their large empire together through efficient government and able rulers. The frontier was stabilized, and Rome was glorified with public buildings.
Agriculture was the most important industry in the empire. Around 90% of people were engaged in farming and most people survived off of produce from local farms. Trade was also an important industry, and Rome had an extensive trading network, both on land and in the water.
Throughout Roman history, traits like discipline, strength, and loyalty were greatly valued. They honored these above grace, elegance, and beauty. The Roman Empire was a diverse society with people from many walks of life, such as philosophers, farmers soldiers, merchants, and slaves.
Slavery made up a large part of Roman life, because it was so important to the economy. Slaves made up around 1/3 of the population and were used on both farms and in the city. There were rebellions, but they were never successful.
Early Romans worshipped powerful spirits and gods/ goddesses. People also worshipped the emperor.
Wealth and social status had a big impact on how a person lived. Classes in Rome had very little in common, as the lower classes barely had necessities, and upper classes lived extravagantly. The poor had daily rations of grain but struggled with unemployment and crowded, dangerous living conditions.
To provide distraction and gain control of the masses, the government provided free games, races, and gladiator battles, where men entered combat with animals and other gladiators
During this period of Pax Romana, Christianity slowly gained popularity, and over time, became one of the most dominant faiths in the world.
Economic turmoil came after the gap between the rich and the poor grew wider. Rich landowners had people that'd been enslaved in the war work on their large estates, and small farmers became homeless and jobless after having to sell their farms to the rich. Two brothers aimed to help the poor population by serving as tribunes, but met violent deaths after making enemies out of many senators.
The formerly loyal military also started to break down, and generals started seizing power for themselves. In 60 B.C.E. Julius Caesar joined forces with wealthy Roman and a popular general and was elected consul a year later. The three ruled Rome as a triumvirate, a group of three rulers.
After Caesar and Pompey, one of the other rulers, became enemies, Caesar defeated him and became dictator. With absolute power, he started a number of reforms, including granting citizenship to many people living in the provinces, expanding the senate, and helping the poor by creating jobs through the construction of new public buildings. Nobles and senators were concerned about Caesar's growing power and popularity, and in 44 B.C.E. a group of important senators assassinated him in the senate chamber.
After Caesar's death, a civil war broke out and destroyed the remnants of the Roman republic. Three of Caesar's supporters took control of Rome and ruled as the second triumvirate for ten years. Later, Octavian became the sole ruler of Rome.
Rome was at the peak of its power while Octavian ruled, and for 207 years, Rome was peaceful. This period was known as the Pax Romana, or "Roman peace." The Romans kept their large empire together through efficient government and able rulers. The frontier was stabilized, and Rome was glorified with public buildings.
Agriculture was the most important industry in the empire. Around 90% of people were engaged in farming and most people survived off of produce from local farms. Trade was also an important industry, and Rome had an extensive trading network, both on land and in the water.
Throughout Roman history, traits like discipline, strength, and loyalty were greatly valued. They honored these above grace, elegance, and beauty. The Roman Empire was a diverse society with people from many walks of life, such as philosophers, farmers soldiers, merchants, and slaves.
Slavery made up a large part of Roman life, because it was so important to the economy. Slaves made up around 1/3 of the population and were used on both farms and in the city. There were rebellions, but they were never successful.
Early Romans worshipped powerful spirits and gods/ goddesses. People also worshipped the emperor.
Wealth and social status had a big impact on how a person lived. Classes in Rome had very little in common, as the lower classes barely had necessities, and upper classes lived extravagantly. The poor had daily rations of grain but struggled with unemployment and crowded, dangerous living conditions.
To provide distraction and gain control of the masses, the government provided free games, races, and gladiator battles, where men entered combat with animals and other gladiators
During this period of Pax Romana, Christianity slowly gained popularity, and over time, became one of the most dominant faiths in the world.
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