Kurtz, William / Chapter 12: The Roman Empire

William Kurtz

The Roman Empire

50 BC–AD 150

(taken from Online Book Resources)

This is a picture of the Roman Colosseum. This photo shows the Roman Colosseum, a building that has influenced the design of stadiums and sporting facilities around the world. It is a round structure with pillars. There are windows that have archways at the top. Credit: © JupiterImages

What You Will Learn…

In this chapter you will learn how Rome changed from a republic into a vast empire that has had a lasting influence on the Western world. This photo shows the Roman Colosseum, a building that has influenced the design of stadiums and sporting facilities around the world.

CHAPTER SUMMARY

Section 1: From Republic to Empire

THE CALL FOR CHANGE

Cicero, a famous orator, asked Romans to work together to limit the power of the generals and return all power to the Senate. Cicero wanted to bring order back to Rome. The republic was in chaos, but many Romans disagreed with Cicero. Rome’s government stayed the same.

CAESAR’S RISE TO POWER

Julius Caesar was admired by Romans for his battle skills and courage. His soldiers respected him because he treated them well. Between 58 and 50 BC Caesar conquered nearly all of Gaul, consisting of much of modern France, Germany, northern Italy, and part of Britain. He made an alliance with the powerful Pompey. After Caesar had conquered Gaul, Pompey’s allies told Caesar to give up his armies and come back to Rome. Instead, Caesar entered Rome with his army. Pompey and his allies fled. Pompey and his forces were driven into Egypt, where he was killed.

In Egypt Caesar became an ally of Queen Cleopatra. Caesar then returned to Rome and was named dictator for life. Many Senators turned against Caesar. On March 15, 44 BC, a group of Senators, including Caesar’s friend Brutus, stabbed Caesar to death in the Senate house.

AUGUSTUS THE EMPEROR

Caesar’s assassination shocked Romans. Many had loved him. Marc Antony and Octavian, later renamed Augustus, took charge of Roman politics. They led an army that defeated Brutus and their other opponents, who killed themselves after the final battle. Then Octavian returned to Italy while Antony headed east to fight Rome’s enemies.

In Egypt Antony met Cleopatra and they fell in love. Cleopatra declared Antony king of Egypt and her co-ruler. Antony divorced his wife, who was Octavian’s sister. Octavian viewed the divorce as an insult to his sister and to him. In 31 BC Octavian sent a fleet to attack Antony. In the Battle of Actium, Antony’s fleet was beaten. Antony escaped to Egypt and was reunited with Cleopatra. They killed themselves to avoid capture by Octavian.

After Antony died Octavian became the sole ruler of Rome. He said he was working to bring back the republic, but he gained almost total power. He assumed the title princeps, which means first citizen. In 27 BC Octavian claimed that he was giving up all his power to the Senate. However, he took the name of Augustus and became the Roman emperor.

Section 2: A Vast Empire

THE EMPIRE EXPANDS

Rome ruled most of the Mediterranean world when it became an empire. Within 150 years the Roman Empire controlled large areas of Europe, Africa, and Asia. It was one of the largest empires in history. The Romans conquered some territories because they threatened to attack Rome. They overcame others to gain their gold, good farmlands, or other resources.

The Romans ruled Gaul and much of central Europe by the 100s. Hadrian encountered a tough fight from the Celts, the people of Britain, but the Roman army drove them north. The Romans had also taken over Asia Minor, the eastern coast of the Mediterranean, and all of the northern African coast. Romans called the Mediterranean Mare Nostrum, meaning “Our Sea.”

The Romans met many new people as their empire expanded. Traders found that foreign goods appealed to the Romans. They traveled to the provinces to bring back metals, cloth, and food. In return the Romans traded goods such as jewelry and glass.

Merchants sailed to eastern Africa, India, and southeast Asia for goods not found in the empire. Some traveled overland to China to buy silk, which was prized for use in clothing. Romans used currency to pay for goods. Roman coins were made of gold and silver. Nearly everyone would accept these coins.

THE PAX ROMANA

The Pax Romana, or Roman Peace, lasted about 200 years, until about AD 180. It was a time of overall peace and prosperity. The empire’s population increased. Trade expanded and many Romans became wealthy. The quality of life for Romans and people in the provinces got better. Many Romans were poor but could buy tickets to events such as circuses, chariot races, and gladiator fights. Roman baths were places of restful pleasure and public conversations. Rome’s public buildings were beautiful.

More people lived in the country than in Rome’s cities. Most country people farmed the land. They grew enough food for their families. Many rural people spoke languages other than Latin and kept their own ways rather than following Roman customs. Villas provided Rome’s city dwellers with a break from city life. In their country villas Romans lived very much as they did in Rome. They had large, fancy dinner parties. Slaves often worked in villas and the surrounding fields. Selling crops from the fields helped pay for the villa owners’ expenses.

Section 3: Rome’s Legacy

ROMAN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

Unlike the Greeks, most Romans did not study the world just to learn about it. The Romans mainly wanted knowledge to help improve their lives. The Romans were practical. Their doctors studied the works of the Greeks, including Galen, to find ways of improving human health.

The Romans were skilled engineers and builders. They developed new materials, such as cement, so their structures would last. Examples of the Roman aqueduct still stand. The Romans used the vault to create large, open spaces within buildings. Roman buildings were bigger than any previously created.

ARCHITECTURE AND ART

The Romans prized beauty as well as practical things. Roman architecture was greatly influenced by earlier Greek designs. The Romans used columns in public buildings to make them look grand, as the Greeks had done. However, Roman engineering allowed them to create much larger buildings, such as the Colosseum. This huge building was used to hold gladiator fights.

Beautiful mosaics covered many Roman floors. Frescoes, or paintings done on plaster, often decorated their walls. Many Roman sculptors copied the great Greek sculptures.

LITERATURE AND LANGUAGE

Ovid wrote lovely poems and Virgil wrote a great epic, the Aeneid, about the founding of Rome. Romans excelled in satire, which has been a model for many modern works of literature. The Roman poets wrote in Latin, the language of ancient Rome. Latin greatly influenced the development of the Romance languages. Many Latin words are still used today in English. Some examples are circus and veto. Many scientific naming systems and mottoes are taken from the Latin language.

LAW

Civil law was inspired by Roman law, which was enforced throughout the Roman Empire and continued to exist even after the empire fell apart. Most European nations today are ruled by systems of civil law.