Cyber #29
Matteo Scotto
5/29
Slides 43 - 52
After Caesar’s death
Julius Caesar’s 18-year-old grand-nephew and adopted son, Octavian, takes over
He’s joined by Mark Antony, an experienced general, and Lepidus, a powerful politician
The three ruled as the Second Triumvirate for 10 years
The alliance ended
Octavian forced Lepidus to retire
Mark Antony became Octavian’s rival
Mark Antony partnered up with Cleopatra of Egypt (militarily, personally, politically and economically)
Octavian defeats them at the Battle of Actium in 31 B. C.
Octavian became the unchallenged ruler of Rome
He was given the name of Augustus or “Exalted one” and The title of Imperator (Supreme military commander), a term from which we get the word “emperor”
Rome was now an empire, not a republic
Augustus ruled for 40 years as emperor (27 BC to AD 14)
He began a stable era of peace and prosperity known as the Pax Romana (Roman Peace)
Pax Romana was 207 year-long (27 BC to AD 180)
The accomplishments
Roman Empire expanded further into Africa
He set up civil service to run the government and empire
Building a network of roads
Collecting taxes
Establishing a postal service
Administering the grain supply
Building awesome public facilities - Buildings, aqueducts
Setting up a police department
Running a fire-fighting organization
Augustus died of natural causes in AD 14.
After Octavian’s death, power was passed down to emperors
Some were good, some were horrible, some completely insane
Tiberius
Ruled from AD 14 to AD 37
Excellent general, but the reluctant emperor
After the death of his son, he exiled himself and left his prefects in charge
He died at the age of 77
Caligula
Ruled from AD 37 to AD 41
Known for his cruelty, extravagance, and perversity - an insane tyrant
Assassinated by a group of praetorian guards, senators, and the imperial court, trying to re-establish the republic
The attempt didn’t work
Claudius
Ruled from AD 41 to AD 54
Suffered from many disabilities possibly because of cerebral palsy
Took over because he was the last adult male in the family
Ruled well - built road, aqueducts, canals and started the conquest of Britain
Died by poisoning - it was his last wife’s plan (she wanted her son Nero to rise to power)
Nero
Ruled from AD 54 to AD 68
Emphasized the arts
He wanted to rebuild Rome to be more majestic after huge fire
He overspent, and raided the temples for money
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