Rome's empire expanded greatly over the first few centuries AD. Under emperors like Augustus, Rome conquered territories across Europe and Northern Africa, including Gaul, Britain, Asia Minor, Mesopotamia. This spread Roman control over the Mediterranean world and beyond. The empire promoted trade as Romans needed resources from the provinces to supply Rome. Traders brought goods across the empire in exchange for Roman coins and currency. The first 200 years of the empire saw the Pax Romana, a period of general peace and stability that allowed Rome to grow wealthy and its population to increase as trade flourished.

1. ROME’S GROWING EMPIRE
Social Studies for 9th EGB
Teacher: Mauricio Torres

2. Expansion
When Rome became an Empire. It already controlled most
of the Mediterranean world.
Augustus and other emperors that followed either sought
to control hostile neighbors or to claim gold and resources
for the empire.

3. Expansion

4. Spreading Out
By the 100s AD, Rome had
conquered Gaul and much of Central
Europe.
Under the rule of Claudius, they
conquered much of Britain.
Asia Minor, Mesopotamia and the
north of Africa, all belonged to Rome
as well.

5. Trade
The conquests of Rome promoted
trade:
People in Rome needed raw
materials that were lacking in Italy.
These could be found on Roman
provinces.
Traders brought metals, cloth and
food from the provinces of the city.
Also, from more exotic places, they
brought spices and silk.
But not everything was going to
Rome. They created goods and sold
them all over the empire.

6. Money
To pay for these goods, Romans
used currency, or money. These
were coins made of gold or
silver.
These coins allowed the
Romans to trade with people
even if they had no items their
trade partners wanted.
Everyone accepted Roman coins!

7. PAX Romana
The first 200 years of the Empire were
a time of general peace.
Stable government and a well run army
helped Rome grow wealthy in safety.
There were no major wars or rebellions.
This peaceful period of time is called
Pax Romana.
It lasted until the 180s, with the death
of Marcus Aurelius.

8. Positive Consequences
During the Pax Romana, the empire’s population
grew, trade increased and the quality of life in general
improved for Rome and its provinces.

9. Ask Yourself
Identify:
What kinds of resources did Romans want?
Recall:
What areas did Romans take over during the early 100s?
Who was the last emperor to rule during the Pax Romana
period?
Make inferences:
Why would a Roman sailor be glad that Rome controlled the
entire Mediterranean sea?
Elaborate:
Why did trade increase during the Pax Romana?

10. Day Dreaming!
Imagine you are a resident of the Republic from
200BC who has fallen asleep and awakes 200 years
later in the Empire.
How has life changed?
What amazed you the most?

11. Bibliography
Burstein, S. M., & Shek, R. (2012). World History
(Teacher´s Edition) (1st Edition ed.). (H. McDougal,
Ed.) Orlando, Florida, US.: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publishing Company.
Ellis, E. G., & Esler, A. (2009). World History. (P. Hall,
Ed.) Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, US: Pearson
Education INC.
Images taken from www.google.com