Nov 14- Videos
Nov 15- The Roman Empire
Why did the Republic fall apart?
Growing gap between rich and poor- income inequality
As Rome took over areas, it took in slaves as well
Small farmers couldn’t compete with the rich landowners and had to sell land leaving them homeless
Two tribunes (elected officials), Tiberius and Gaius, were murdered after pushing for giving land to the poor
Unloyal Military
As the Roman empire grew in size and the Republic grew unstable roman generals started seizing power and hired landless farmers to fight for them
Julius Caesar came to power this way
Julius Caesar
Veni. Vidi. Vici.- I came. I saw. I conquered.
Grew up in a patrician family
Could vote and participate in government jobs
Father died when he was 16
Became the High Priest of Jupiter
Married Cornelia
Civil War in Rome and the person Caesar backed lost
Due to this, Caesar joined the military to hide from Sulla, the new dictator
Fought in Asia and Cilicia
After Sulla’s death, Caesar returned to Rome and went into politics
During his travels, was captured by pirates
Became Governor of Spain, a Roman province
Julius Caesar joined forces with Crassus, the wealthiest Roman, and Pompey, a popular general
With their help, Caesar was elected consul
For the next 10 years, these three men dominated rome as a Triumvirate
Was known as the First Triumvirate
After being Consul for one year, became governor of Gaul
Caesar's power and popularity concerned Crassus and Pompey back in Rome
Crassus was killed in battle in Syria so he was out of the picture
Pompey became jealous of Caesar
S power and popularity so the Senate ordered Caesar to disband military and return to Rome
Caesar refused and instead crossed the Rubicon River and attacked Pompey’s troops
First Triumvirate Falls apart
Pompey was dead and his troops defeated
Caesar returned to rome with support from the people and the military and became dictator
Caesar was named dictator for life
Caesar as Dictator
Served just year before he was assassinated
Granted Roman citizenship to many pepe in the provinces
Expanded the senate, adding friends and supporters from Italy and other regions
Helped the poor by creating jobs, especially through the construction of new public buildings
Started colonies where people without land could own property
Increased pay for soldiers
Julian vs Gregorian Calendar
Julian was used up until the Gregorian
The Gregorian Calendar was introduced and named after pope Gregory and is used today
The difference in the average length of the year between Julian and Gregorian
Assassination
Due to helping the middle and lower class, Caesar made enemies with the wealthy class including many in the Senate
- Brutus and Longinus were the two that killed Caesar
o
Nov 16- Video
Nov 17-
The Second Triumvirate
Civil War broke out after Caesar’s death
The Roman Republic was now completely gone
Octavian (adopted son of Caesar), Marc Antony (a general), and Lepidus (a politician) ruled Rome for ten years
Fell apart eventually due to jealousy and violence
Octavian forced Lepidus to retire
Octavian went to war against Marc Antony (with Queen Cleopatra from Egypt)
Octavian defeated Antony/Cleopatra in a naval battle of Actium
Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide afterwards
Augustus and The Roman Empire
Octavian took the title Augustus meaning ‘exalted one’
He would usher in the “Pax Romana” which means Roman Peace
This was the period of time where rome was at its peak
Augustus’ Accomplishments
Augustus stabilized the frontier
Glorified Rome
Created a system of Government that survived for centuries
Set up civil service within Rome
Paid workers to manage the affairs of government
Roman Life
Discipline, strength, and loyalty were stressed in Rome
People had gravitas that had these characteristics
90 percent of people farmed throughout the empire
The rich lived by conspicuous consumption- lived like kings
Most people lived in poverty
High unemployment
Lived in cramped tenements- fires common
Government provided grain everyday
Struggled for survival
Slavery was a significant part of Roman life and economy
The Romans made more use of slaves than any previous civilization- a 3rd of the population
Most slaves were conquered peoples and included men, women, and children
Children born to slaves also became slaves
Slaves could be caught and sold as they were seen as property
They could be punished, rewarded, set free, or put to death
Some strong slaves became gladiators
Gladiator contests
Gov’t put on to appease the poor
Provided free of charge during holidays
Fought in the colosseum in Rome
- Animal vs animal, man vs animal, man vs man
Nov 18-
Roman Religion/ Rise of Christianity
Government and religion were linked
Roman gods were very impersonal and practiced with very little emotion
Rome took over the Jewish land of Israel
Christianity taught that people could have a personal relationship with God which attracted many people
Broke off from Judaism and was based on the life and teachings of Jesus as well as his death and resurrection
As Jesus traveled around preaching, many people starting following him
Especially attracted the poor based on his teachings
Paul, an apostle, stressed that Jesus was the son of God who died for people’s sins
He also declared that Christianity should welcome all converts Jew or Gentile
Reasons Christianity Spread
Embraced all people- men, women, slaves, poor, nobles
Gave hope to the powerless
Appealed to those who were repelled by the extravagances of imperial Rome
Offered a personal relationship with a loving God
Promised eternal life after death
Rome’s Reaction
Rome persecuted Christians as they did not worship the Roman gods
Many were crucified, burned or killed by wild animals in the circus arenas
Roman Emperor Constantine named Christianity one of the Roman Empires religions after winning a battle where he believed the Christian God intervened
Roman Emperor Theodosius made Christianity the empire’s official religion
The Early Christian Church
A priest led each small group of Christians in each church
A bishop, who was also the priest, supervised several local churches
Eventually, every major city had its own bishop
The apostle Peter became the frst bishop of Rome
According to tradition, jesus refferred to Peter as the rock on which the Christian Church would be built
As a result, all priests and bishops traced their authority to him
Early Chrisitian Issues
As time went on, there were growing disagreements between Christians in regards to beliefs
The New Testament was added to the Hebrew Old Testament to make the Christian bible which helped unify Christians
Including the 4 Gospels as well as the Epistles of Paul among other documents
The Nicene Creed
Constantine further unified the teachings of Christianity
In Nicaea church leaders wrote the Nicene Creed, which defined the basic beliefs of Church
Fall of the Roman Empire
Internal Problems and Conflicts
Separation of the Roman Empire into East and West
- Outside invasions
Comments