The roman empire and its decline

The roman empire and its decline

Timeline of RomeDecline and Collapse of the Roman Empire

I. The Roman Republic A. The Roman Republic lasted more than 500 years with an elected government. B. However, in a time of crisis such as war, the government would appoint adictatorto run the country. 1.Dictator-A ruler who has complete and absolute power over a country.

II. Expansion of RomeII. Expansion of Rome A. Rome defeatedneighboringcities taking their lands such as in thePunic Wars. 1.Punic Wars-A series of three wars between Rome and Carthage.2. Cause Both Carthage and Rome wanted to control trade on the Mediterranean Sea.3. Result - Rome won and destroyed Carthage. Rome became the dominant power in the western Mediterranean. B. Organization of the Military 1. Legions - Total of 6,000 soldiers, each legion was divided into centuries, groups of 100 men.

III. Julius CaesarIII.Julius Caesar A. 59 BC - Julius Caesar was named one of the two consuls, and ruled Rome for one year. B. After being Consul he was named governor of Gaul. Caesar was a successful general and conquered Gaul (France today). C.First Triumvirate- An alliance between Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus. Together the 3 men ruled the Roman Republic for 10 years. 1. Eventually Crassus was killed in battle, and Julius Caesar and Pompey had a civil war and Julius Caesar won

III. Julius Caesar continued D. Julius Caesar eventuallymade himself dictator for life. E. JULIUS CAESAR ISRESPONSIBLEFOR CAUSING THE END OF THE REPUBLIC. F. Senators were concerned he was getting too much power, so a group of Senators attacked him, and stabbed him to death. 1. He was killed on March 15th, 44 BC on the floor of the Roman Senate, The Ides of March.

IV. Caesar AugustusIV. Caesar Augustus A.Octavian- Caesar's Son - Later called himselfCaesar Augustus. B.Second Triumvirate- An alliance between Marc Antony, Octavian, and Marcus Lepidus to rule Rome after the death of Julius Caesar C. First goal was to catch Julius Caesar's killers. They caught them, defeated them in battle, and the killerscommitted suicide. D. Octavian and Marc Antony had a civil war after Marc Antony married Octavian's sister, then married the Egyptian Cleopatra without divorcing Octavian's sister first.

IV. Caesar Augustus continuedE. Octavian wins the civil war and becomes Rome's first Emperor. He took the nameCaesarAugustus(Augustus means exalted or sacred one). 1. WITH CAESAR AUGUSTUS DEFEAT OF MARC ANTONY, ITOFFICIALLY ENDED THE ROMAN REPUBLIC, AND IT BECAME AN EMPIRE. a. empire- a group of states or territories controlled by one ruler b.emperor- Absolute ruler of an empire. 2. Under Caesar Augustus, Rome increased the size of the empire due to trading and military conquest.

IV. Caesar Augustus continued3. Goods traded from lands under Roman control to the city of Rome included raw materials such as metals, cloth, and food. 4. Goods traded from the city of Rome to lands under Roman control included goods made by artisans such as jewelry, glass, and clothing. F.Currency- Money - Roman coins of silver and gold were used for trading. G.Pax Romana- During this time Rome was at peace for 200 years and prospered.

V. Emperor TrajanV. Emperor Trajan A. Under Trajan's rule, the Roman Empire controlled the most territory it ever had. B. The Empire had never been greater.

VI. Pax RomanaVI. Pax Romana A.Pax Romana- "Roman Peace"; long time period of peace and safety in the Roman Empire. B. The Pax Romana lasted for 200 years, and except for wars on the Roman frontier, it was peaceful. C. Roman literature spread and Rome had responsible honest leaders. D. Roman citizenship was given to all free men in the empire.

VII. Decline and Collapse of the Roman EmpireVI. Decline and Collapse of the Roman Empire A. Reason #1 TOO LARGE TO CONTROL 1. Economic Cost of an Empire so large 2.Economics- Part of society that creates wealth.Wealth comes from the production of goods and services, which people buy with money. 3. It cost a lot of money to keep anarmy. The army protected people and trade routes. 4. Government programs to take care of citizens cost money. 5. Government raised money by increasing taxes.

VII. Decline and Collapse of the Roman EmpireB. Reason #2 POOR MORALS AND VALUES 1. Decline of traditional Roman values 2. As Rome grew stronger and richer, moral values declined. 3. Corruption grew also.Corruption- Decay of people's values. 4. Example - Corrupt government officials took bribes and used threatsto achieve goals such as political power.

VII. Decline and Collapse of the Roman EmpireC. Reason #3 INVASIONS FROM OUTSIDERS 1. Threats from Outside the Empire 2. Groups such as the Vandals, Angles, Saxons, Huns, and Visigoths attacked and invaded parts of the Roman Empire making it weaker.

VII. Decline and Collapse of the Roman EmpireD. Reason #4 DIVISION OF THE EMPIRE 1. Division into Eastern and Western Empire 2. Emperor Diocletian thought the empire was too large for one person to rule and split it into two parts. 3. Eastern Part became known as the Byzantine Empire. Constantinople became its capital.