Roman Empire

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Emperors who succeeded Caesar for 50 years

Tiberius

Ruled well if somewhat ineffective

Retired due to opposition

Caligula

Insane

Killed by troops

Claudius

Good administrator

Uncomfortable around people (lame and stuttered)

Nero

Mother killed Claudius for Nero

Nero killed his mother

Seneca and Burrus (advisors, died from Nero pressure)

Revolt and burning of the city

Committed suicide

Slide 10

Seneca

“Avoid shabby attire, long hair, an unkempt beard, an outspoken dislike for comfortable furnishings, and all other misguided and childish means of self-advertisement.”

Slide 11

“It is not the man who has too little who is poor. It is the one who relentlessly hankers after more. What difference does it make how much is laid away in a man’s safe or in his barns, or how much capital he puts out at interest, if he is only after what he doesn’t have and only counts what he has yet to acquire, never what he already has.”

– Seneca

Slide 12

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

Slide 13

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

Slide 14

“Emperor Caesar Galerius Valerius Maximianus Invictus Augustus, Pontifex Maximum, Germanicus Maximus, Egyptiacus Maximus, Thebaicus Maximus, Sarmaticus Maximus five times, Persicus Maximus twice, Carpicus Maximus, Holder of Tribunician Authority for the twentieth time, Imperator for the nineteenth, Consul for the eighth, Pater Patriae, Proconsul.”

Slide 15

Diocletian

284-305 AD

Ruled by decree

Stabilized the empire

Strong general with army support

Imposed will on governmental agencies

Unity

Worship of emperor as a mark of loyalty

Persecution of the Christians

About non-participation and separateness

Not about beliefs

Slide 16