1. Ch. 15 The Roman Empire
Section 1 The Rule of Augustus
227 B.C. – 410 A.D.
2. The Rule of Augustus
• Why It’s Important
• “In 27 B.C., Octavian told the Senate that he had restored the
republic, and he offered to resign as sole ruler of Rome. The
Senate turned down the offer and gave him several titles. In the
end, Octavian took for himself the title of Augustus, or “revered
one.” That is what he is generally called in history books.
• In practice, Octavian became the first Roman emperor, or absolute
ruler of an empire. His policies paved the way for more than 200
years of peace. Even after the empire collapsed, Roman influence
would survive in much of the world.”
3. The Rule of Augustus
• Augustus – Clever Politician; Ruled 41 yrs
• Believed in Keeping Tradition and Bringing Back “Old Roman
Virtues”
• Strengthened His Authority By:
– Getting Every Soldier to Swear Allegiance to Him
– Choose Govt Officials Based on Talent, Not Birth
– Gave Governors Long Terms of Office, More Pay
– Ordered a Census, Or Population Count, To Tax
• Romans Fairly
– Governed Existing Empire (Did Not Expand)
– Brought Peace to Rome, Patriotism, Pride
6. Pax Romana
• Pax Romana – the 200 Year Peace Augustus brought to Rome
• Rome prospered & cultures mixed
• Changes in Trade & Law
– Peace Brought Increased Trade
– Same Coins Used Throughout Empire
– No Tariffs – taxes on goods brought into the country
7. Changes in Roman Law
• Roman Law Went Thru Major Changes During Pax Romana
– Newly Conquered Territory required Romans to write new laws fair to non-
Romans
• Roman judges helped by special lawyers called juris prudentes
• Developed Principles of Law Fair to All in Business
– Laws Believed to Be Just if Reasonable
– (& not because the govt had the power to make people obey)
• 125 A.D. Roman Law was STANDARDIZED
• Means: Legal procedures all the same in all parts of empire
• Roman Legal Principles formed the basis for law of most Western
countries & of the Christian Church
