5.3 Augustus and the emperors

• Geschiedenis
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 1

Good morning TV12

Planning for this lesson

Instruction about Augustus

TvG 1a, 1b, 2, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 4c, 6

Objectives for this lesson

At the end of this lesson...

...you understand how the republic came to its end.

...you understand how the Roman empire society was structured.

...you understand the role slaves played in the Roman empire.

Fall of the Republic

1. Julius Caesar gained power
2. Caesar died without an heir
3. Power struggle in Rome
4. Augustus makes his entrance

Augustus

• Gained power over a long period of time
• He created peace in Rome
• He became the first emperor of Rome

The Roman Empire

Pax

Romana

The Roman society

• The Roman society is an agrarian-urban society: most people lived outside cities on farms.
• Around 100 AD, the city of Rome had approximately 1 milion citizens
• The differences between the Romans were massive : only a small number lived in great luxury, while most were struggling.

Roman Society

Who can be found all the way on the top of the social pyramid?

What group of people (class) can be found on the second layer from the top?

Which group is the biggest in Roman society?

The emperor and his family.

Slaves or gladiators.

Senators and their families, patricians, high religious officials

Government employees, writers, craftspeople, traders, soldiers.

Slaves

• Slavery was very normal in Roman society. 
• You could become slave because your land was conquered by the Romans
• Or because your parents were slaves.
• There were many slaves in Rome
• Of the million citizens, about 400.000(!) were slaves

Two young slaves. The left one is carrying water and towels. The right one a basket with flowers.

• There were many different sorts of slaves
• Some worked in Roman vila's as servants
• Some worked as teacher, or even doctor (often Greek slaves)
• The largest group worked on the fields to help farmers.

Why do you think teachers and doctors were often Greek slaves?

Bread and Games

• Panem et circenses, or  'bread and games'. 
• Rich Romans noticed they had to keep the poor Romans satisfied. 
• To keep them calm, often sporting events were organized. And sometimes 'games' in arena's like the Colosseum in Rome.

• The people also received food.

Gladiators

• Gladiators were slaves, however many of them became celebrities . 
• A good gladiator was very expensive.
• Battles to the dead were not very common, however they did occur

Why did Spartacus become so famous?

Planning for this lesson

Instruction about Augustus

TvG 1a, 1b, 2, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 4c, 6

What kind of project do you like the most?

Write down three things you learned this lesson

Have a great week!