Chapter 14, Lesson 1: The Early Empire (pp. 430-435)

I. Establishing Peace and Order

• A. After Caesar was assassinated, his adopted son, Octavian (later called Augustus), brought peace to the empire and became a popular leader.
• B. Augustus oversaw major building projects, created a police force and fire brigade, and set up a department to supply food to Roman citizens.
• C. Augustus's reign marked the beginning of the Pax Romana, which lasted more than 200 years.

• II. Ruling the Empire

• A. During the 200 years after Augustus's death, four dynasties ruled the Roman Empire.
• B. Each of the four dynasties ended with the violent overthrow of an unpopular or unfit emperor.
• C. While most Roman provinces lived in peace during the Pax Romana, the Roman army had to put down rebellions in Gaul, Britain, and Judea.

• III. Unifying the Empire

• A. The Roman emperors encouraged the building of cities modeled on Rome, which spread Roman ideas and customs throughout the empire.
• B. The emperors granted citizenship to people in the provinces, giving them certain rights.
• C. The emperors allowed officials in provinces to govern their own cities, and to participate in the central government of Rome.

Chapter 14, Lesson 2: Social Rank in the Empire (pp. 436-439)

I. Three Social Classes

• A. Roman society was divided into three major classes -- the elite, the "more humble," and the slaves -- determined by birth and wealth.
• B. The elite made up less than 2% of the people, while the "more humble" included most of the free men and women in the empire.
• C. Slaves may have made up as much as one third of the people in the empire, and were completely at the mercy of their masters.

• II. The Importance of Social Level

• A. Social divisions were clearly defined as seen in ancient Rome.
• B. Romans could change social position through the gain or loss of wealth.
• C. An individual could improve social position through gaining wealth, but this was hard to do.

Chapter 14 Lesson 3: Daily Life in Ancient Rome (pp. 440-446)

I. Rich and Poor

• A. Rich Romans lived in homes with many rooms, running water, heat, and servants.
• B. Poorer Romans lived in dirty and poorly-maintained buildings called insulae, that had no running water and little light.
• C. For the majority of Romans living in crowded conditions, fire and crime were serious problems.

• II. Family Life in the Empire

• A. In the later days of the empire, women gained more power, and laws prevented fathers from selling their children or forcing marriages.
• B. Wealthier families sent their children and even household slaves to school until age 15, after which only boys continued their education.
• C. Professional people -- such as engineers -- learned through apprenticeships, not formal education.

• III. Benefits of Life in Rome

• A. The Roman government gave free wheat, and sometimes money, to citizens.
• B. There was a plentiful supply of water for drinking, cooking, and bathing.
• C. The emperor provided circuses and games.

• IV. Religious Practices

• A. The Romans worshipped many gods, some of which were state gods, while others were gods of the household.
• B. The Roman religion was based on rituals, especially the sacrifice of animals.
• C. For the most part, Romans were tolerant of other religions in the Empire.

Chapter 14, Lesson 4: The Roman Economy (pp. 447-451)

I. An Agricultural Economy

• A. Four out of five people in the Roman Empire worked on farms.
• B. Roman farmers' crops were small and they did not make significant profits.
• C. The Roman economy was primarily concerned with the basic task of feeding soldiers and city dwellers.

• II. Trade in the Empire

• A. The most important trade item for Romans was grain for feeding the vast numbers of people in the Empire.
• B. Mining was largest industry in the empire, with building materials and metals coming from outside of Rome.
• C. Trade in manufactured goods was limited, while trade in luxury goods was the smallest part of the economy.