HANDOUT FOR NOV. 14: FROM REPUBLIC TO EMPIRE
Terms:
Fasces: Bundle of rods and axes carried before Roman magistrates, symbol of authority. Hence "fascism."
Augustus: "One who brings prosperity." Title granted to Octavian by the Senate, and then to later emperors.
Caesar: Originally the family name of Julius, Octavian and others, it eventually becomes one of the imperial titles. Hence Kaiser, Tsar.
Imperator: Originally a military title ("general" or "commander-in-chief"), it becomes an imperial title. Hence emperor.
Pontifex Maximus: High Priest. Religious function also assumed by emperor.
Chronology:
44 BC: Julius Caesar assassinated. His adopted son Octavian, his lieutenant Mark Antony, and a nonentity named Lepidus form Second Triumvirate to track down the assassins. Cicero executed.
42: Brutus and Cassius defeated.
40: Octavian and Antony divide up the empire. Antony heads to Egypt and stays with Cleopatra.
36: Antony marries Cleopatra. Unfortunately, he was already married to Octavian’s sister Octavia. This creates some tension between the Triumvirs.
31: Octavian’s forces defeat Antony in naval battle at Actium, in western Greece.
30: Antony and Cleopatra commit suicide. Egypt becomes Roman province.
27: Octavian claims to lay aside "emergency powers" and restore Republic; Senate grants him title Augustus.
23: Octavian Augustus receives tribunal power for life.
19: He receives consular authority for life, although he allows others to hold the office of consul.
12: Augustus takes title pontifex maximus, high priest.
2 BC: Augustus called pater patriae, "father of his country."
9 AD: Three legions under Varus annihilated in Germany. Rome’s military expansion stops.
14 AD: Death of Augustus.
14-37: Tiberius.
37-41: Gaius Caligula.
41-54: Claudius.
54-68: Nero.
64: Fire destroys much of Rome. Nero blames Christians.
68-69: "Year of the Four Emperors." Nero overthrown, armies march on Rome, civil war.