Octavian "Augustus"

Today, not in class, we took notes on ancient Rome. For the last week of school, we are going to finish our essay, take our test, and write a letter to your future self, describing what has happened during COVID-19 (should be interesting). After Caesar was assassinated, his grandnephew/ adopted son, Octavian, takes over the throne at age 18. He forms his own triumvirate with Mark Antony, an experienced general, and Lepidus, a powerful politician. However, this triumvirate didn't last long. Octavian forces Lepidus to retire and becomes rivals with Mark, so Mark decides to team up with Cleopatra. Octavian and Mark go to war against each other, and Octavian defeats them at the Battle of Actium. Now that Octavian's on his own, he is the unchallenged ruler of Rome and is given the title of "Augustus"- the exalted one- and "imperator." Now, Rome is an empire, not a republic. He ruled Rome for 40 years and began a stable era of peace known as the Pax Romana (207 years long).

Here are the many accomplishments of Octavian:

• expanded the Roman empire into Africa.
• set up civil services to run the government
• built a network of roads
• collected taxes
• established a postal service
• administered the grain supply
• built public facilities
• formed a police department
• ran a fire-fighting organization

He died of natural causes in 14 AD. After him, power was passed on to emperors- Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero. Tiberius was an excellent general, but a reluctant emperor. He exiled himself from Rome after the death of his son. Caligula was a cruel tyrant. He won power after Tiberius' death. Senators, groups of praetorian guards, and the imperial court assassinated him to try to re-establish the republic, yet it didn't work. Claudius suffered from numerous infirmities, possibly due to cerebral palsy. He ruled well- built roads, aqueducts, canals, and started the conquest of Britain. He took over because he was the last adult male in his family. He died of poisoning, which is what his last wife's plan was because she wanted her son, Nero, to take over the throne. Nero emphasized on the arts. There was a huge fire, and he wanted to rebuild Rome to look more majestic. However, he overspent and ransacked temples for money. Historians aren't fans of him.

Test Information and the Rise/Fall of Julius Caesar

Today, not in class, we have verified that I (and the rest of honors 201) will be taking the ancient Rome test at 1:25pm- 2:15pm on Tuesday, June 2, 2020. We also talked about the rise and fall of Julius Caesar. To keep plebeians happy and occupied, they need bread and entertainment (circuses) to keep them from revolting. Tiberius Gracchus realized that courting the plebeians would be an advantage, but it didn't work out well for him. After him came Julius Caesar, a successful general, who conquered the territory of Gaul. He made commoners happy and formed alliances with Pompey and Crassus. The 3 of them formed the first Triumvirate. He then served as a consul for a year, appointed himself as governor of Gaul, and then becomes dictator for life. Pompey grows jealous and becomes Caesar's enemy. However, Caesar doesn't care. After that, he granted citizenship to people in provinces, expanded the Senate, created jobs to the poor, increased soldiers' salaries, and started colonies for people who didn't have land. Unfortunately, he was lured into the Senate and stabbed him 23 times so that everyone could stab him if they wanted to (and they did). Even Caesar's ally joined in on the murder. The senators, however, weren't punished. After Caesar came Octavian, which became the ending of the republic.

Essay Choice: Comparison Between Rome and the United States' Government

Today, not in class, we chose our essay topic. My essay topic will be on choice A: Compare and Contrast the government of ancient Rome with the government of the modern-day United States. It seems like a very interesting topic to research. Not only will I learn more about ancient Rome's government, but I will also learn more about the United States government. These two countries are similar in a couple of ways like the fact that they both had the 3 branches of government (legislative, executive, and judicial) and a legal code. However, each branch of government was different than the United States' branch. There were two consuls (executive) in ancient Rome's government, but our government has a president (and vice president). Rome's senate consisted of 300 people, while our senate has 100 people. Rome's judicial branch praetors were chosen by the Centuriate Assembly, while our members are appointed by the president. So yes, Rome's government is similar to the United States government, yet different at the same time.

The Roman Empire

Today, not in class, we talked about the Roman Empire. The expansion between Rome wealth and boundaries triggered the lower class and broke down the military order. Two tribunes, Tiberius and Gaius, thought of an idea to help the poor: limit the size of estates and give land to them. Unfortunately, they both died terrible deaths, leading to a period of civil war. Then Julius Caesar comes along and joins forces with Crassus and Pompey. Caesar was elected as a consul and dominated as a triumvirate- group of 3 rulers, and then appointed himself of governor of Gaul. Caesar governed as one with total power, which made him a threat. On March 15, 44 BC, Caesar was stabbed to death. After his death, Octavian joined forces with Mark Antony and Lepidus, making this the second Triumvirate. However, this triumvirate ended because of jealousy and violence. He got rid of Lepidus and then defeated Mark Antony and his girlfriend, Cleopatra. He then restored aspects of the republic and took the title of Augustus. Because of Octavian, peace reigned throughout the land, which became known as the Pax Romana ("Roman Peace"). Even after his death, Rome maintained their stability. They emphasized the value of discipline, strength, and loyalty. Rome had slaves and believed in. gods and goddesses.

The Punic Wars

Today, not in class, we talked about the Punic Wars (very interesting). The Punic Wars were fought from 264-146 BCE, and they consisted of 3 wars. Rome was fighting Carthage for power. In the first Punic War, the navy battles for control of the island Sicily (strategically located), and Rome wins this one. In the second Punic War, a Carthaginian general, Hannibal, tries to take Rome. He attacks Rome from the north after crossing Spain and the Alps on an elephant. His army lays siege to a lot of the peninsula for 15 years. However, he never gets to Rome. By the time of the third war, Carthage is losing badly to Rome. Rome 's army attacked Carthage and destroyed their buildings/ city walls. Whoever (from Carthage) was not killed by the war were sold into slavery (about 50,000). The war has ended, and Rome had won. Carthage was made into a Roman province of Africa.

Rome's Government

Today, not in class, we talked about Rome's government. Rule of kings is replaced by rule of two consuls- elected officials. They have one year of office, and they are always from the aristocratic class. Like any other government, they had certain duties. They dealt with justice, made laws, commanded the army, veto, etc. Then, in the 5th century BCE, patrician dominance of the government was challenged by plebeians- the common class who made up 98% of the population. Since Rome had no actual laws, patricians could interpret these to their own advantage. So, in retaliation, the plebs refused to serve in the military until they had a say in laws. They created tribunes, and a brand-new republic was formed- democracy. The government was made up of mainly senators. The US originally modeled their government to the ancient Romans model but with a few changes. The both had the 3 branches of government and a legal code. However, while the US president had four-year terms and was the commander in chief of the military, the Roman consuls had a one year term and could appoint a dictator in a crisis for a six-month term. The Roman's senate was a lot larger than the US senate, and they had a longer office term. The US had a longer office term than the Romans in the judicial branch. Lastly, instead of the twelve tables as their legal code, the US had the bill of rights.

Tarquin the Proud

Today, not in class, we discussed Chi Cago's Guide to Ancient Rome. The Etruscans and the Greeks settled Rome. The Etruscans came from the birth-central part of the peninsula. They were metalworkers, artists, and architects who created two foundation myths: Virgil's Aeneid and the story of Remus and Romulus. The Greeks had many colonies around the Mediterranean Sea. They had ideas about religious beliefs, the alphabet, art, and military techniques/weaponry, which the Romans borrowed from them later on. However, the Latins first settled there. They were descendants of the Indo-Europeans, who settled on the banks of the Tiber. They were situated so that trading ships (not war fleets) could navigate as far as Rome (not further though), and they had a commercial port (not susceptible to attack, and built on seven hills. Romulus chose Palatine, but Remus wanted Aventine. They drained a swamp, causing many streams flowed into the Tiber. There was a marshy area called the Forum, which was between the Palatine and Capitoline Hills. Tarquin the Proud's grandfather built the Cloaca Maxima, which then channeled water into the Tiber. Urban legend says Washington DC was built on a swamp, but only about 2% is swampland. However, Constitution Avenue is located on what use to be called Tiber Creek. Lucius Tarquinias Superbus was the last king of Rome. He was known as Tarquin the Proud because he could be a little too cocky at some times. He was a true tyrant.

Rome, Rome, Rome, Rome

Today, not in class, we listened to a song about Rome. It is fascinating how these singers can take information about Rome, make it rhyme, and incorporate it into a catchy song. Mr. Schick picks very cool songs that teach us about western civilization. I like this song more than the song about Mesopotamia. I've probably heard it about 5 times today (very cool song). It talks about the farmers and other plebeians afraid of the senators and other patricians. Julius Caesar was murdered by Brutus and the Senate. After Caesar's death, Octavian took over; he trusted Mark Antony until he met Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt in 51-30 BCE. Pax Romana brings cheer to people. Gladiator battles are very common in Rome, especially in the Circus Maximus. The battles could get very gory and violent. Thanks to this song, now I know a lot about Rome. I wish all teachers would use songs as teaching techniques.

Link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B9UU_awE1hVjR25yVDBIb29pUUU

Twelve Tables

Today, not in class, we talked about the twelve tables. The twelve tables contained the basis of Roman laws. They were set up in cities and towns. They formed the idea that every free citizen has the right to the protection of the law. Certain laws were harsh: punishment for grazing in someone's field and a death penalty for singing abusive songs about others. Later on, the wooden twelve tables changed their base to bronze to make it last longer. Romans memorized the twelve tables for hundreds of years. With every new law that the Romans had, the twelve tables were altered. The laws were formed in the popular assemblies: centuriate, tribal, and plebeian. The centuriate assembly was made up of property/military class voters. The tribal assembly was made up of voters grouped by tribe. Lastly, the plebeian assembly was made up of plebeians; they were only allowed to vote on matters that affected the lower class.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBDTjvDtTbg

The Pantheon

Today, not in class, we talked about architectural landmarks in Rome. One of the most famous landmarks, beside the Colosseum, is the Pantheon. The Pantheon was built in 27 BCE, but it was burned down because of a fire in 80 CE. When it was built a second time, the Pantheon, again, was burned down because of a fire. Finally, it was rebuilt around 118 CE and is still standing. The Pantheon is used as a temple for the Greek gods. Its large dome was built using concrete, ranging about 142ft in height and diameter. At the top of the dome, there is a hole known as the eye of the Pantheon (oculus). The Pantheon was transformed into a church in 609 CE. Not only is it used for masses and weddings, but it is also known to be used as a tomb for the dead. The word Pantheon means to honor all gods. The Pantheon (a version that didn't burn in a fire) is a popular tourist destination (not currently however).