3.1 The Conquest of a Great Empire

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The Romans

3.1 The Conquest of a Great Empire

Welcome!

Aan het einde van de les...

• You can describe how the Roman Republic came into being and how the republic was governed.
  
• You can explain how the Roman Empire grew into a huge empire.

Today

• What do you know already (+- 10 min)
• Explanation (+- 25 min)
• Do you understand? (+- 10 min)

Roman Empire

What are the names of the twin brothers who founded Rome?

Kindom?

• The city-state of Rome was once a kingdom, although very little is known about it.

• And whether the story of Romulus and Remus is true...?

The Roman Republic

(509 BC. - 27 BC.)

• The last king is deposed.
• The Romans decide to rule Rome themselves.

 

Senatus Populusque Romanus

(The Senate and the People of Rome)

What is a Republic?

1. Form of government with a sole ruler, where a king is in charge.
2. Country with a head of state without hereditary succession to the throne (i.e. no king or emperor)

Republic

• The Senate is an assembly of all the rich men.
• Two Consuls lead the Senate. 
  
• Consuls lead the meetings of the Senate and had veto right.

Senate = An assembly that governed the Roman Republic. Its members came from the richest and most important Roman families.

Consul: Most important administrator and army commander in the Roman Republic.

Republic: A country governed by one or more elected leaders.

Veto right: The right to block a decision.

The Roman Empire Grows

• What started as a small city grew into a huge empire in just a few centuries.

• Army commanders, such as Julius Caesar, conquer large parts of Europe.

• This map shows the conquests between 500 BC. until about 40 BC.

Why so much succes?

• They had a very good army. It was excellently armed and trained, but above all, well organised

• The soldiers were often well rewarded, for example with a piece of land that they could cultivate (after their military service).

And the conquered areas?

• Romans were merciless...
• Until an area surrendered!
• Conquered areas had to obey the Romans and provide soldiers.
• Allies received benefits and could even obtain citizenship rights.

Citizinship rights: Roman citizens had certain privileges, such as the right not to be convicted without trial.

Explain in your own words how the Roman Republic was governed.

How was Rome able to become an empire?

Next time: Julius Caesar

The Roman Empire

3.1 The Conquest of a Great Empire

Part 2

Welcome!

Aan het einde van de les...

• You can give the key differences between the government of the Roman Republic and that of the Roman Empire.

Planning

Civil wars

133 b.c. until 44 b.c.

• Everyone wants to rule this mighty empire!
• A number of quarrels arise between the most powerful Roman men, culminating in civil wars

Julius Caesar

• One of these important men was the army commander Julius Caesar.

• Civil war due to quarrel with the Senate.

• After the civil war, Caesar became dictator to restore order

Julius Caesar is murdered

44 B.C.

• Julius Caesar is becoming more and more powerful. Opponents think that Caesar even wants to become king: they have to stop him!
• On the ides (15th day) of March he is assassinated in the Senate by other senators.

Octavian takes his revenge

44 B.C.

• Julius Caesar's adopted son, Octavian, takes revenge
• He eliminates the perpetrators and other opponents one by one.
• Including his former ally, Mark Antony, and his lover: Cleopatra

Imperator Caesar Augustus

27 B.C. - 14 B.C.

• Ultimately, there is no one more powerful than him. Peace has returned to the kingdom.
• The Senate thanks him for this and gives the title Augustus ('the exalted').
• Augustus becomes the first emperor (princeps) of the Roman Empire.

Pax Romana

27 v. Chr.

• Emperor Augustus begins a period of peace and tranquility that lasts about 200 years: the Pax Romana (Peace of Rome)
• The empire is still expanding, but for now there is peace between the most powerful political groups...