Ancient Rome - Regents Review

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Roman Empire Constantine Christianity
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The Roman Empire 27 BCE - 476 CE
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Augustus CaesarRomes First Emperor
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Political Power Expansion
Augustus Caesar gathered all political power
into his hands as the first Emperor of Rome
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After Augustus who rules? Problem of Succession
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Caesar Augustus

• Succession
• No male heir
• Adopted nephew, Tiberius
• Smooth transition of leadership
• Stable leadership despite inept emperors
• Tiberius took the title "emperor" and all
  successors did the same
• Succession was a problem for the entire time of
  the empire

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Principal Roman Emperors
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The Golden Age (100-180AD)

• Life in the Golden Age
• Rome was largest city in the ancient world
• Extravagant entertainment
• Prosperity through trade and population expansion
• After the Golden Age
• Good and bad emperors
• Unsuited for governance
• Many boy emperors

Gladiator
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Model of City of Rome
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Roman City Characteristics

• Types of Common Buildings
• Coliseum
• Race Track Circus Maximus
• Public Baths
• Amphitheaters

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Innovative Engineering Techniques
1. Roads 2. Arches and Bridges 3. Aqueducts
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All roads lead to Rome!
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Roman Aqueducts allowed for growth of populations
in Roman Cities
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Pax Romana 27 BCE 180 CE
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The Greatest Extent of the Roman Empire 14 CE
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Third Century Disaster

• Near collapse of the empire
• Military-oriented emperors
• Threat from consolidated Germans
• 24 emperors and 24 claimants/usurpers
• 45 killed by assassination (usually by their own
  troops)
• 1 died in battle
• 1 died in captivity
• 1 died of plague
• Name of a Caesar reflects self-importance

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Spread of Christianity St. Paul and the
Apostles Established Churches
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Christians used Imperial Roman Roads / Trade
Routes to Spread Christianity
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The Spread of Christianity Roman Roads/Trade
Network
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Constantine strengthens Eastern Roman Empire but
weakened Western Roman Empire
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Constantine Moves Capitol to Constantinople
Weakens West
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Constantine

• Constantinople
• Built on Byzantium site
• Acceptance of Christianity
• Edict of Milan
• Eliminated religious persecution
• Supported Christian religions
• St. Helena, churches
• Supported pagan religions
• Coins, inscriptions, built temples
• Nicaean council (325 AD)
• Sought to unify doctrine
• Used imperial troops to suppress dissent among
  Christians (Donatists)
• Conversion or unity?

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Constantine becomes a Christian Issues Edict of
Milan Religious Freedom for all Christians
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Constantinople The 2nd Rome (Capital of
Byzantine Empire)